more information on stressarticles & inspiring storiesbooksjournals support groups links shop online clinical trials who's who in integrative medicine CAM research centers

What is Stress?

Stress is any reaction to a physical, mental or emotional stimulus that affects the body’s physiological state. Stress is an unavoidable part of life. The acute stresses of life produces a temporary imbalance in which the body quickly recovers. In fact, short busts of stress can sharpen your thoughts; it’s the chronic stresses, often caused by negative attitudes and feelings of helplessness that are the real challenge to healing. Prolonged stress can increase risk of heart disease, depression, cardiac arrhythmias and infertility. Stress can exacerbate PMS symptoms and menopause symptoms. It is estimated that stress contributes to 80% of major illnesses such as cardiovascular, digestive problems, mental disorders, injuries, musculoskeletal, cancers, endocrine and metabolic disorders etc.

There are many relaxation techniques that research have proven to an antidote to the physiological symptoms of stress. Relaxation techniques are known to lower blood pressure, reduce the respiration rate, reduce the heart rate, reduce oxygen comsumption, reduce blood flow to skeletal muscles, and reduce muscle tension. Studies have show that by routinely practicing the relaxation response, sleeping disorders are greatly reduced, infertile women become pregnant and chronic pain suffers reduce their use of pain medication. More Information on Stress Click Here.

Treatment

Conventional treatment for stress consists of psychotherapy and a drug treatment regime of anti anxiety medication.

The Best Combination

The best treatment for stress has been the best of both conventional medicine and complementary medicine. We strongly recommend that you do not abandon conventional medicine in favor of an unproven complementary or alternative health practice.

Complementary & Alterarnative Therapies the May Be Helpful for Stress

Acupressure Acupuncture Aromatherapy Biofeedback Counselling/Psychotherapy Exercise Guided Imagery Healing Touch Herbal Therapy Homeopathy Humor Therapy Hypnotherapy Journal Therapy Magnet Therapy Massage Therapy Meditation Music Therapy Naturopathy Nutrition Osteopathy Qi Gong Reflexology Reiki Relaxation Therapy Retreats & Spas Support Groups Tai Chi Therapeutic Touch Traditional Chinese Medicine Vitamins/Supplements Yoga.

Disclaimer: The resources and links provided are for information purposes only and one should discuss treatment options with their physician.

Important: Whatever CAM treatment you opt for, it is important that you share the information with your physician. It is important that we begin to start talking about the many therapies available and begin to determine which practices are the most helpful.

Copyright ©2001 EnerChi Health Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.