Coronavirus Stress: Loss of Daily Routine
Acupuncture for Coronvirus? Is this possible?
One of the biggest problems in this time of coronavirus mania is the loss of our daily routine. People who are used to going to work, engaging in sports or other leisure activities, and other familiar situations are unable to do to due to various government quarantines.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the daily routine is of utmost importance. It is important to get up, sleep, eat and try to travel during regular times of the day. Of course, adjustments must be made for the seasons of the year.
Even worse, many people are unable to utilize their usual coping mechanisms. Social and religious gatherings are a no no. Folks are stuck at home and the inability to perform daily duties properly is a cause of stress.
With COVID-19, the lockdown measures used to contain coronavirus spread makes this difficult if not impossible. Grocery queues are long and both public and private transportation is difficult.
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Disruption of the Proper Flow of Qi
More than the disrupted routine, it is the lack of a feeling of control that is most damaging. Will the quarantine be modified? Will it be extended? When will I be able to work? How will I pay my bills?
It is truly a source of unnatural frustration.
In Chinese Medicine, the emotions of anger and frustation affect the Liver. The Liver is the “Military General” of the body and it’s main job in TCM is to ensure the proper flow of Qi. If the proper flow of Qi is disrupted, it is seen to cause ailments ranging from muscle aches and pains, to headaches, to menstrual irregularitis, and others.
Acupuncture for Coronavirus Stress
Acupuncture is used already as an adjunct treatment in China directly to help COVID-19 patients. But even if you aren’t infected with coronavirus, acupuncture can also help you just to cope with the stresses involved with the uncertainties of dealing with COVID.
What Acupuncture Can Do
Acupuncture releases stress relieving hormones. In my practice, I have had people tell me that they still feel and think about their problems, but that it has less of an effect on them.
Acupuncture helps with sleep. When we have many things in our minds, sleep is disturbed or even difficult. Getting acupuncture for coronavirus anxiety can help with maintaining sleep.
Acupuncture helps with aches and pains. This mental stress can lead to physical manifestations of pain. Shoulder and lower back aches are quite common with stressed patients.
Other tips to avoid anxiety due to COVID-19
Rely on information only from trusted news and health websites. There are many out there looking to push conspiracy theories or promoting panic.
Home exercise programs can help one have a greater feeling of control as well as keeping fit. This has an added bonus of promoting resistance to infections and disease in general.
If needed, find online portals where counseling services are available.
We are looking forward to re-opening our clinic by the first week of June!
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