In thriving cities such as Calgary, busy lifestyles frequently come with excessive mental strain and physical demands. Balancing work, family, health, money, etc. is a challenge that many people feel ill equipped to handle. What this leads to is stress, and, as most doctors will attest, the current levels are reaching epidemic proportions.

​

Overall quality of life, including physical and mental health, is largely determined by how one adapts to and manages daily stressors. The "fight or flight" stress response of the body is beneficial in highly stressful situations such as emergencies. However, this same stress response is being triggered day in and day out by the high-paced demands of modern life. Over time, constantly triggering this stress response causes the body's neural and hormonal systems to lose their natural balance. This can lead to an over-excited state with problems like palpitations and insomnia, or an under-excited state with depression and fatigue. As the imbalance sets in, problems such as digestive disorders, high blood pressure, weak immunity, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis can occur.

​

Not only does excessive stress take its toll on the body, it also steals the joy out of life and dampens one's experiences of relationship and beauty. Without a healthy level of physical and mental well-being, one's creativity and passion will never thrive. The joy of the proverbial "life journey" will always be off in the distance, a perpetual future "destination."

​

Fortunately, dissolving the weight of excessive stress is fully possible. If one commits to making lifestyle choices that create balance throughout their life, the ability to truly "enjoy the ride" becomes a fulfilling reality. Doctors of acupuncture and Chinese medicine are well versed in some of the most powerful tools for eliminating stress and providing emotional and energetic balance. In addition to meditation, diet and exercise guidance, these doctors utilize the extremely effective methods of acupuncture and Chinese herbs to help eliminate the problem of chronic stress. While inducing a deep state of calm, these techniques also build confidence and clarity in the individual as they develop new habits for managing daily stressors in a healthy and balanced way. The results are sustainable, and the final outcome is a self-sufficient person who can handle all the crazy "to dos" and uncertainties that go hand-in-hand with modern life.

​

Articles and Research

 

Acupuncture for Stress: British Acupuncture Council

​

If you would like to learn more about acupuncture and discuss your specific health situation, please phone 403.455.0880. Dr. Wegmann will be happy to answer your questions.

​

Mitch Wegmann is a registered acupuncturist and doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He owns and operates Calgary Acupuncture Centre in the city's southwest quadrant, near the Marda Loop district.