HPAA(Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Adrenal Axis)
The study notes that acupuncture’s ability to regulate Yin and Yang translates into the biomedical view that acupuncture regulates the flux between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. - See more at: http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/770-nervousst36p5p6#sthash.SJRvNPVm.dpuf
acupuncture regulates the autonomic nervous system by affecting specific activities in the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, ventrolateral periaqueductal gray and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex of the brain. - See more at: http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/770-nervousst36p5p6#sthash.SJRvNPVm.dpuf
In Chinese Medicine we often discuss the balance between Yin and Yang. What we are referring to is a homeostatic equilibrium between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Just as a reminder, the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the fight or flight response and the parasympathetic response activates the rest and digest phase, helping to bring the body back into a state of relaxation. Unfortunately, many of us spend prolonged periods of time in a sympathetic response, which can lead to overall ill health and disease.
It’s not that the sympathetic response is the culprit of all disease, it’s the lack of balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic response that doesn’t work well! The sympathetic response is actually necessary for our survival. It is there to protect us, providing us with the energy to flee dangerous situations. In this way, the sympathetic response is a natural way for the body to respond to stress. It’s when the body is responding to stress on a regular basis that we find it difficult to find that balance. This is why it’s important to have built in practices in your life that help to encourage the parasympathetic response.
Acupuncture can be one of those tools! Acupuncture actually works to regulate the sympathetic/parasympathetic response system by affecting certain areas of the brain including “the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, ventrolateral periaqueductal gray and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex of the brain.” Many people come to me for acupuncture in order to relieve stress. They leave feeling more relaxed and at ease in their bodies. This is in part due to the balancing effect that acupuncture has on your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. It’s a quick way to retrain the body’s response to stress. Why not incorporate the use of acupuncture into your life in order to live a healthier more balanced one!