By Erica Nabers, AP – Many adults and children of all ages are coping with some level of anxiety and stress. Sometimes, they don’t even realize it because we’ve been conditioned to accept stress as normal. Our collective busyness and drive to survive and thrive can contribute to our sense of feeling out of balance and incomplete. Information overload also contributes to our stressful lives.
     Acupuncture and other forms of Chinese medicine have been used for thousands of years to help people regain balance and enhance wellness. It’s based on the interplay of natural life forces known as Yin and Yang. The goal is to balance these forces to foster optimal energy. Achieving balance enhances our health while reducing our risk of illness. These proven methods also have no negative side effects.
     Every aspect of life requires balance. It’s one of the keys to our health, success, and happiness. Acupuncture helps us to regain balance by releasing pathogens and blocks in our flow of energy. The process is like peeling back the layers of an onion. I’ve witnessed renewed strength and a more relaxed state of being in first time patients and more so with patients that get regular treatments as part of their health regimen.
     Many people have told me they felt an improved ability to cope with stress after one treatment. The treatment options available include: Acupuncture, Acupressure, Electrical Stimulation, Chinese Herbs, Homeopathies, Tuina Massage, Percussion Massage, Laser Therapy, Nutrition, Whole Food Supplements, and Health Counseling.
     These diverse treatments are not magical, and they require follow up care and a sense of focus by each patient. Each treatment of 30-60 minutes is tailored to the individual according to their needs. Many patients are so relaxed during a treatment that they end up falling asleep.
     Prolonged stress can lead to insomnia, anxiety, fear, depression, and the weakening of our immune system. By nourishing and balancing our internal organ systems, the treatments from Traditional Chinese Medicine promotes healing, enhances mental cognition, and supports proper sleep. 
     Good nutrition and sufficient clean water are also important for nourishing the body. They support our vital circulation system that feeds our brain and other organs. In Chinese medicine, we don’t separate the body parts and target only one area. We treat the entire body and brain (root and branch) as a whole so that it can function at its highest potential. It’s a reminder that true holistic medicine is much older than many people realize.

Erica Nabers is a board-certified acupuncture physician who helps patients from her clinic in North Port. She’s a graduate of the East West College of Natural Medicine in Sarasota. Please call 941-423-1500. Visit NorthPortFLAcupuncture.com.