Written by Acupuncturist Tara Bunch

The past few weeks/months have wreaked a lot of havoc on our nervous systems. So much has happened in a small amount of time. The stress of hard-hitting events can cause a myriad of mental and physical symptoms as a result. Acupuncture aids in bringing the body back into balance after trauma has occurred.

The nervous system is essentially composed of two parts. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)

The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is responsible for the ‘flight or fight’ response. That high alert sensation that the body gets when it is preparing to face an emergency or ‘take flight’. Increased respiration, heart rate and blood pressure are some of the indications that the body is in ‘flight or fight’ mode. When the SNS is overactive, you may feel like you are “on” all the time or “buzzing” or feel a sense of impending doom.

The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is the “rest and digest” mode. This is where the body determines that it is in a safe enough environment to rest and recover. The heart and respiration rates slow down, digestion increases, you feel relaxed. Rest and digest mode is where we get a good night sleep and those great bowel movements. However, the parasympathetic nervous system can also become overactive. Enter “Freeze” of Flight, Fight, Freeze. Feeling paralyzed or frozen. When we are in this state there is an inability to make decisions, low motivation, a lack of joy.

The SNS should be activated when a threat is perceived, once the threat is perceived as no longer there, the PNS should take over to calm the system down. For example, if you are driving and a person or animal suddenly jumps in front of your car, you slam on the breaks; you may honk the horn if you’re really jazzed. Once the person or animal has cleared the path, the threat is perceived as gone. Your heart rate slows, you catch your breath and you continue on your merry way. This is how the SNS normally works. However, if you are still on high alert long after the path has been cleared, this is a signal that your SNS is overactive.

Ideally, we should have a healthy balance between the SNS and the PNS. Prolonged stress or traumatic events can cause the nervous system to become dysregulated. The balance between both states is thrown off. This can lead to physiological symptoms that throw the body off balance, such as anxiety/depression, insomnia, digestive issues, low immunity, and sudden or chronic pain.

Acupuncture can help achieve or maintain a healthy balance between both states. By needling a various combination of points, based on the conversation with you and your acupuncturist, the nervous system is brought back into a more balanced state and the body can begin the recovery process.

There are also several patent formulas that we use to compliment or prolong your treatment. Three of our favorites are Xiao Yao Wan, Tian Wan Bu Xin Wan and Gan Mai Da Zao Wan. Don’t worry, we got you covered if none of those words made sense.

Xiao Yao Wan translates to Free and Easy Wanderer. The mechanism of this patent is exactly what it says. It calms the sympathetic nervous system while encouraging the parasympathetic response to course thoroughly the body. Bringing a sense of freedom and ease to the body.

Tian Wan Bu Xin Wan, The Emperor of Heaven’s Special Pill to Tonify the Heart. How’s that for a beautiful name? This formula regulates the Central Nervous System in a nourishing fashion while also clearing Heat. Heat shows up as rapid heart rate, insomnia and anxiety.

Gan Mai Da Zao Wan. This calming formula doesn’t have a poetic translation. In fact, the name is a combination of the ingredients (Licorice, Jujube fruit and Wheat). This formula is effective for when the imbalance of the SNS and PNS causes a range of emotions such as excessive worry, anxiety, crying spells and melancholy.

It should be noted that, like acupuncture points, herbal formulas are multifaceted. This article is focused on the context of stress and trauma care. However these formulas also address other issues as well.

In conclusion, stress/trauma can lead to a host of physiological and mental imbalances. One of the best favors that you can do for yourself is to incorporate acupuncture into your self care routine. We hope to see you all soon.