The Bear That Isn’t a Bear

In today's world, stress has become an inevitable part of daily life. Whether forgetting your phone at home, deadlines at work, financial pressures, or personal challenges, stress can take a toll on our physical and mental well-being. 

Our body’s response to acute stress is perfectly designed. The rush of adrenaline we get can help us get out of dangerous situations (the bear) or clear our brains to think quickly and effectively for a short amount of time. Call it evolution… when ‘the bear’ is gone, we modulate, back to homeostasis, and all is well. 

It’s the constant or chronic stress that we need to be concerned about. Chronic stress is the bear that isn’t a bear but still keeps our body in the hyperarousal state of fight or flight and incites an inflammatory response.

It is the kind of stress that causes inflammation in our bodies and we now know that inflammation is a driver for chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disorders and inflammatory conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis and asthma. 

Interestingly, studies show that when we think about stress as a challenge to overcome instead of a threat to our well-being, it actually lowers the perceived stress and reduces the body’s physical response. No doubt, there are several ways to meet this challenge and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. For some, breathwork will be the answer. For others, putting your feet on the ground and moving, or getting in your car, turning up the music and singing really loud will help. Whatever it is, stress-relieving practices can fight the bear that isn’t a bear. 

In the clinic, we are very aware of the direct effect that stress has on the body. It is a contributing factor to much of what we see. A meta-analysis recently published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies found acupuncture to be effective in reducing stress levels across various populations, including patients with anxiety and depression. It is safe to extend acupuncture's benefits beyond stress reduction to the effect it can have on inflammation in the body. 

Acupuncture offers a holistic approach to combating stress and inflammation, addressing the root causes of imbalance rather than just masking the symptoms. As we navigate the challenges of modern life, incorporating acupuncture into your wellness practice may offer a path to greater resilience and well-being. Give it a try and let’s see if we can save ‘the bear’ response for the acute stress situations.