Got Stress? How to cope.
by jeanie marie kraft
Salem Gazette

Got Stress? Who doesn’t? Stress is now commonplace among us. It has become a part of our lifestyle, so common we have almost become accustomed to it. Most of us do not even think about it until it is too late and it appears in physical form as pain and disease. Most healthcare practitioners agree that stress is probably the number one factor in exacerbating disease, and in some cases causing disease.

Jobs stress, family stress, relationship stress, school stress and other types of stress (did anyone mention a War on Terror?) all have an impact. Often, long term stress will cause more than tight shoulder muscles. Some of the more common physical symptoms of stress are backache, headache, insomnia, stomach upsets, panic attacks, depression, exhaustion, neck and shoulder pain and irritability. Weight gain, heartburn, and Irritable Bowel syndrome can also be induced by stress. Stress also negatively affects the immune system, leading to increased colds, flu and allergies. Do any of these symptoms sound familiar?

Doctors, acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists and others hear about stress from their clients every day. I always ask my new patients “What brings you here today?” or “What would you like me to focus on in this acupuncture treatment ?” A common answer is “What can you do about stress?”

There is no magic wand for eliminating physical stress. Removal from a stressful situation can be a solution, but is often not possible. After all, you have to work, you can’t change families and you may not want to quit school, and few of us can escape current world news. Even if you’re stuck with the cause of your stress, there are a at least three things you can incorporate into your life today that will help your body and mind better cope.

First, take a food-based vitamin B complex every morning. Research has shown that most Americans have B vitamin deficiencies due to poor diets, medication, alcohol and smoking. Studies have proven that B vitamins relieve stress, PMS symptoms, hot flashes and fatigue. This simple, low cost treatment can be very helpful, and a good supply of B vitamins is a key to resiliency, helping your body resist new forms of stress.

Second, keep a bottle of Bach Flower Rescue Remedy on hand. This is one of my favorite products and I recommend it for humans as well as pets. Rescue Remedy is a safe combination of Bach Flower Essences (flower extracts) that is especially beneficial for trauma, stress, emergencies, bad news, job interview or exam stress or a weekend with the in-laws! Put a few drops in some water and drink it for a calming effect. It now comes in a handy spray, as well, which can be used to mist yourself, your children and/or your pets for a more harmonious home.

Third, another low-cost moderator of stress is doing some form of exercise every day. Whether it is walking the dog, chasing the cat around the yard, yoga, tai chi, or swimming, studies have repeatedly shown that exercise helps reduce the effects of stress and increase one’s ability to deal with new stress. The best way to move stress out of your body is to actually move your body.

There are a number of other approaches to managing and eliminating stress. If you’re feeling acute stress, try listening to classical or other soothing music. Certain kinds of music have been found to lower heart and respiratory rates, decrease blood pressure, and increase the oxygen levels in the blood. Research has also shown that playing classical music in your home can calm children and pets.

If you find the scent appealing, wear lavender oil. Lavender essential oil (available at health-food stores) contains many sedative compounds to help relax the central nervous system. It is a calming and relaxing to the nerves, effectively combating stress while the antiseptic properties may help with ailments such as the flu or a cold. Lavender oil in a bath is also a nice way to unwind from the day.

Here’s a solution that everyone loves: Get a massage! The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey recently did a study and found that their students who were massaged before an exam showed benefit to the immune system and a significant decrease in respiratory rates as well as anxiety. Other research studies have shown that massage lowers blood pressure and reduces heart rate. It increases blood circulation and releases endorphins, while it relaxes muscles and improves range of motion.

The Body and Soul Massage and Wellness Center in Salem offers a wide variety of bodywork. Swedish and Hot Stone Massages are a wonderful way to relax and de-stress. Body and Soul also offers sports massage, deep tissue bodywork, pre- and post-pregnancy massage and reflexology. Each massage is personalized to your body’s needs.

For a more comprehensive approach to stress management, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are very effective. According to traditional Chinese medical theory, what we call stress is stuck energy or chi (pronounced “chee”), which will eventually show up as disease or pain in the body. Acupuncture treats these disorders by gently unblocking stuck energy or chi, while bringing balance to the body’s systems. The effects can be impressive; many acupuncture patients fall asleep during their treatments and awaken in a very relaxed state. When chi flows smoothly, food is digested more easily thus relieving symptoms such as indigestion. When blockages are relieved, headaches, neck aches, and similar pains disappear.

Body and Soul offers Salem’s only Stress-Buster acupuncture treatment This acupuncture session is specifically designed to reduce the stress and tension of modern life. A special set of acupuncture points release your chi and calm your body, while aromatherapy oils help calm your mind. It’s a perfect way to do a little spring-cleaning of tension and anxiety. Recommended after a rough day at work, grueling exams or a long run on the never-ending hamster wheel. It is also a wonderful way to start a vacation.

The last tip I have to offer is the best, and it’s absolutely free: laugh. Watch fun movies, read good books and take the time to enjoy life. Laughter has been associated with everything from releasing stress to relieving pain to helping cancer patients. Give it a try. It is hard to be stressed when you are having fun.

Jeanie Marie Kraft, Lic.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist with 10 years experience treating people and dogsClick here to learn more MyAcuDoc.com
Jeanie is on staff at the Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center

Four Paws Acupuncture Salem MA
Making canine acupuncture house-calls on the North
Four Paws Acupuncture

Laughter really is the best medicine!

One of my pet peeves is friends forwarding me junk email, stupid jokes and chain letters.. However I just received an email today that actually made me laugh. Instead of emailing it, I will post it here.
So here it is. Enjoy!

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don’t Disguise Your Voice.

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with That.

4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It “In.”

5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone Has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch To Espresso.

6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write “For Sexual Favors”

7. Finish All Your sentences with “In Accordance With The Prophecy.”

8. Don’t use any punctuation

9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.

10. Ask People What Sex They Are. Laugh Hysterically After They Answer.

11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is “To Go.”

12. Sing Along At The Opera.

13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don’t Rhyme

14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play Tropical Sounds All Day.

15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can’t Attend Their Party Because You’re Not In The Mood.

16. Have Your Co-workers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, “Rock Hard.”

17. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream “I Won!, I Won!”

18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking Lot, Yelling “Run For Your Lives, They’re Loose!!”

19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. “Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.”

Jeanie Marie Kraft, L.Ac. MyAcuDoc.com
Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center of Salem, MA is now offering acupuncture!
Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center

Thought for the day…

“There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
-Albert Einstein

Jeanie Marie Kraft, L.Ac. MyAcuDoc.com

Jeanie Marie Kraft, L.Ac. MyAcuDoc.com

Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center of Salem, MA is now offering acupuncture!
Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center

Advice from Thomas Edison

” The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
- Thomas Edison

Jeanie Marie Kraft, L.Ac. MyAcuDoc.com

Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center of Salem, MA is now offering acupuncture!
Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center

Jeanie Marie Kraft, L.Ac. MyAcuDoc.com

Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center of Salem, MA is now offering acupuncture!
Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center

YOUR HEALTH
Seeking alternatives
By K. Oanh Ha
San Jose Mercury News

An increasing number of American women are turning to alternative, Eastern medicinal arts to solve problems with infertility, menopause, weight loss and even dry skin.

Acupuncture treatments are now recommended by some in-vitro specialists as a way to increase fertility. Women also are turning to ayurveda — a 5,000-year-old practice from India that incorporates mind, body and spirit — to ensure health, rid the body of toxins and help with dull skin.

Robin Hays used acupuncture for a sprained ankle two decades ago and was so delighted with the results that she pursued it as a profession. She graduated from San Francisco’s American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1985.

Back then, it was mostly Chinese and older hippies who turned to acupuncture, Hays says. Now insurance often covers treatments.

At Hays’ practice, about half of the patients see her for women’s health issues, including premenstrual syndrome, irregular menstrual cycles and menopause. She also treats many patients for pain disorders and allergies.

Click here to read more in the San Jose Mercury News article

Jeanie Marie Kraft, L.Ac. MyAcuDoc.com

Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center of Salem, MA is now offering acupuncture!
Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center

Tai Chi & Qi Gong on the Good News Network

After overdosing on bad news I googled the words “good news” in hopes of finding a site that would cheer me up. Voila! A wonderful website called the Good News Network appeared. GoodNewsNetwork.org Like it’s name there is only good news on the site, which is quite refreshing.

There is also a wonderful Health section with the latest information on supplements and health tips that would benefit us all.

Here is one of the articles on Tai Chi and Qi Gong:

Written by geri

Monday, 03 July 2006

Tai Chi or Qigong (chee-kung) combine simple, graceful movements and meditation. They are exercises believed to have positive, relaxing effects on a person’s mind, body and spirit.

click here to read the rest of the article

Jeanie Marie Kraft, L.Ac. MyAcuDoc.com

Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center of Salem, MA is now offering acupuncture!
Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center