Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome 

 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the stomach and intestines, also called the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, gas, and diarrhoea or constipation, or both.

Only a small number of people experiencing IBS have severe symptoms, while others experience mild pain and alternation of bowel habits. So how are your insides? Worried about where the next toilet will be? Your digestion is switching from diarrhoea to constipation and you’ve tried dairy free, gluten free or the low-FODMAP diet? 

Sometimes people can visit their medical physician with symptoms and either be dismissed or referred to a gastroenterologist. Sometimes people can get a parasite or gastroenteritis (infection/inflammation in the gut) from eating contaminating food/water from traveling overseas and then end up with IBS symptoms long term. 

To date, the pathophysiology of IBS is still not completely understood. However, specialists are now more accepting of IBS signs and symptoms being a functional disorder with both physiological and psychosocial factors, despite x-rays, lab tests or biopsies being clear.  

What might a specialist first exclude before diagnosing Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Due to many digestive conditions having similar signs and symptoms, a specialist must first rule out other conditions such as:

  • Small-bowel bacterial overgrowth 
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Eating disorder 
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Autoimmune disease
  •  Coeliac disease or celiac sensitivity 
  • Parasites 
  • Infection
  • Laxative use 
  • Microscopic colitis 
  • Pharmaceutical side effects
  • Gastritis or Enteritis 

A patient may undergo blood tests, stools tests, physical examination, colonoscopy, ultrasound or sigmoidoscopy tests and a physician will also exclude any of the above causes (1). If tests come back clear and no other gastrointestinal diseases are determined, then IBS is considered (2).

How is Irritable bowel syndrome treated ?

Doctors may treat IBS by recommending changes in what you eat and other lifestyle changes, medicines, probiotics, and mental health therapies (3). 

Also: 

  • Increasing fibre to improve constipation 
  • Decreasing gas producing foods
  • Following a FODMAP photocol or other dietary protocol that improves symptoms
  • Mental health support
  • Stress management 
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Increasing exercise
  • Drug therapy for the dominant symptoms 

What does research say about other therapies such as Chinese medicine, Acupuncture and behavioural therapy?

 

A review of mind/body approaches to irritable bowel syndrome has suggested that alternate strategies targeting mechanisms other than thought content change might be helpful, specifically mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches (4).

Best practices in treating IBS support the idea that patients should be referred for behavioural therapy early, not just when patients have failed everything else. Ideally, consultation with a gastrointestinal psychologist would be incorporated very early into the treatment plan so that collaboration can occur between the patient, psychologist, gastroenterologist, and possibly a dietitian. IBS is a multifactorial disorder, and the field of gastroenterology is moving toward additional in-clinic assessments of mood to more comprehensively aid patients in the management of complexities associated with IBS (5).

A 2015 Australian randomised-controlled trial showed that Chinese herbal medicine may be an effective treatment in relieving IBS. The double-blinded trial was for constipation-type IBS, and it found that Chinese herbal medicine reduced symptoms, increased bowel satisfaction and stool consistency, reduced straining and hard lumpy stools, compared with placebo (6). The study also showed how quickly symptoms can improve with symptoms improving by week 8 of the trial and the herbs being well tolerated by participants.

Other research suggested by The World Journal of Gastroenterology of a meta-analysis of 6 randomised controlled trials in 2014. The review found that acupuncture clearly leads to control of IBS symptoms which is both statistically characteristic and statistically significant (7). 

Moxibustion (moxa) is a technique to burn mugwort on or close to a patients skin with or without acupuncture stimulation. It is used to help relieve pain, discomfort, to encourage blood flood and alleviate other symptoms according to Chinese medicine diagnosis. A review of 20 randomised-controlled trials of managing IBS showed moxa may provide benefit to IBS patients, however further research is needed (8).

How does Chinese medicine and Acupuncture help Irritable Bowel Syndrome? 

 

Publications of the interactions between traditional Chinese medicine and the gastrointestinal system from the years 2004 to 2021 has been widely studied, with the number of papers rapidly increasing since 2018 (9).

One of the branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine is Acupuncture, which is used to stimulate documented acupuncture points to relieve pain, treat internal organ problems, reflect on disease conditions and activate the self healing ability to keep people well. 

The Acupuncturist will talk with the patient about signs and symptoms and other lifestyle or dietary factors that may be contributing to the problem. Sometimes acupuncture alone can regulate the digestive system, other times herbal medicine is prescribed alongside depending on predominant symptoms such as constipation or diarrhoea. Other symptoms are taken into account for the patients individual pattern when herbs are given. 

Educating patients about lifestyle factors for managing stress is also important. We will work closely with the patient to improve their diet, reduce foods that may be contributing to IBS or other gastrointestinal problems. 

 

 

This is an image of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Tanya Keam is an integrative Chinese medicine Doctor and registered Acupuncturist in Nambour in the beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterland in Queensland, Australia. If you’re experiencing the above symptoms or interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture treatment specifically for Irritable Bowel Syndrom, please reach out to see if Acupuncture, herbal medicine and lifestyle guidance might support you to feel better.

You can see Tanya’s training here, call us here, or book online here. 

 

 

 

 

References 

1. Mayo Clinic (2018). “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016

2. Harvard Health Publishing (2018). ‘The gut-brain connection.’ Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-gut-brain-connection

3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2024). ‘Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome’. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/treatment

4. Sebastián Sanchez B, Gil Roales-Nieto J, Ferreira NB, Gil Luciano B, Sebastián Domingo JJ. New psychological therapies for irritable bowel syndrome: mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2017;109(9):648–657. 

5. Riehl, M. (2018). ‘The Emerging Role of Brain-Gut Therapies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.’ Gastroenterology & Hepatology14(7), 436-438.

6. Bensoussan, A., Kellow, J., Bourchier, S., Fahey, P., Shim, L., Malcolm, A. & Boyce (2015). ‘Efficacy of a Chinese Herbal Medicine in Providing Adequate Relief of Constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial’. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 13(11), Pages 1946-1954.

7. Chao, C. & Zhang, S. (2014). ‘Effectiveness of acupuncture to treat irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis.’ World Journal of Gastroenterology, 20(7), Available at: https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i7.1871.

8. Park, J., Lee, B. & Lee, H. (2013). ‘Moxibustion in the management of irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis’. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 13. Available at: https://bmccomplementalternmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-13-247.

9. Yang, S. Hao, S. Wang, Q. Lou, Y. Jia, L. Chen,D. (2022). The interactions between traditional Chinese medicine and gut microbiota : Global research status trends. National Library of Medicine, 12: 1005730. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9510645/

Other articles:

1. Sebastián Sanchez B, Gil Roales-Nieto J, Ferreira NB, Gil Luciano B, Sebastián Domingo JJ. New psychological therapies for irritable bowel syndrome: mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2017;109(9):648–657. 

2. Thakur ER, Shapiro J, Chan J, et al. A systematic review of the effectiveness of psychological treatments for IBS in gastroenterology settings: promising but in need of further study [published online May 10, 2018] Dig Dis Sci. doi:10.1007/s10620-018 5095-3.

3. Keefer L, Palsson OS, Pandolfino JE. Best practice update: incorporating psychogastroenterology into management of digestive disorders. Gastroenterology. 2018;154(5):1249–1257.

Chinese Medicine for Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder

Chinese Medicine for Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder

Chinese Medicine for Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder

 

Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder (PMDD) is a health concern that is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) but is more serious. PMDD causes severe moodiness such as feeling irritable, crying a lot, depression, anger outbursts or anxiety in the week or two before the period starts. Other symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, restless sleep, breast tenderness, digestion changes, trouble focussing, binge eating, feeling out of control and suicidal thoughts. 

About 80% of women report at least mild premenstrual symptoms, 20%–50% report moderate-to-severe premenstrual symptoms, and about 5% report severe symptoms for several days with impairment of functioning. The 5% of women with the severest premenstrual symptoms and impairment of social and role functioning often meet the diagnostic criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) (1). 

 

Risk factors may include:

  • A family history of PMS or PMDD
  • Women with a personal or family history of depression, postpartum depression, or other mood disorders
  • Cigarette smoking (2)

 

How is PMDD diagnosed?

Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder (PMDD) is typically diagnosed by a healthcare provider after performing a physical examination and speaking to the patient about signs and symptoms. Researchers do not know for sure what causes PMDD or PMS, however hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle each month may play a role due to the brain chemical called serotonin levels changing throughout the cycle. 

Healthcare providers may also ask patients to keep track of symptoms over several menstrual cycles, or order tests to check certain things related to hormones. 

 

What are the treatment options for PMDD?

Treatment for Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder (PMDD) typically involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. Medications used to treat PMDD include antidepressants, hormonal control pills/medications, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In some instances, gonadotropin releasing hormones may be given.

Natural approaches for Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder (PMDD) can include regular exercise and nutritional changes individualised to the patient to support serotonin, and lifestyle modifications such as sticking to a daily routine, practicing meditation and taking care of oneself, recognising emotions and managing stressful situations. Other natural remedies that have been used to treat symptoms associated with PMDD include acupuncture and herbal medicine.. Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs can be given to patients the week or two before their period is due to ease symptoms. This can be a good alternative to pharmaceuticals.  

It’s important to remember than it’s normal for women and young girls to experience fluctuations in energy levels, mood or food cravings in different stages of their menstrual cycle. Iron levels for example drop once the uterus lining has shed, so it’s normal to feel lower energy before or on your period. Women live on a 28 day cycle and can sometimes even sync with the moon cycles. Whereas, men live on a 24 hour one! However when signs and symptoms are really affecting your quality of life, then it’s important to seek help.

 

 

This is an image of chinese medicine for Tanya Keam is an integrative Chinese medicine Doctor and registered Acupuncturist in Nambour in the beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterland in Queensland, Australia. If you’re experiencing the above symptoms or interested in Chinese Medicine Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder treatment specifically, please reach out to see if Acupuncture, herbal medicine and lifestyle guidance might support you to feel better.

You can see Tanya’s training here, call us here, or book online here. 

 

 

References:

  1. Pearlstein, T., Steiner, M. (2008). Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: burden of illness and treatment updateJournal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience; 33(4): 291–301.
  2. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd
Acupuncture for TMJ

Acupuncture for TMJ

Acupuncture for TMJ

 

What is TMJ?

TMJ stands for Temporo-Mandibular Joint. The TMJ is the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. These joints are involved in eating, facial movements and speech. Let’s get into how Acupuncture for TMJ pain can be helpful. 

What is TMJ pain?

Pain that can feel grinding in the jaw, that if left untreated can lead to inability to chew properly, ear pain, migraine, headache, lack of sleep, tooth pain, lockjaw, dizziness, anxiety and joint noises such as cracking or popping of the jaw. 

What are the symptoms you might experience from TMJ pain?

  • Inability to chew food properly 
  • Ear pain or ear ache
  • Insomnia
  • Tooth ache
  • Locked jaw
  • Headache
  • Migraine
  • Mood dosorders
  • Neck pain
  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo 

 

How can TMJ be diagnosed?

Diagnostic tests may include:

  • Xray
  • MRI
  • CT scan
  • Physical exam by a general physician, physical therapist or other allied health professional if you are presenting with persistent jaw pain 

 

Available treatment options for TMJ pain

  • Exercises to relax or strengthen the muscles of the jaw
  • Dental splints to reduce tooth grinding at night
  • Dental alignment 
  • Stress management 
  • Soft tissue release to relax muscle tension in the jaw
  • Diet changes such as increasing omega’s to reduce systemic inflammation such as arthritis, autoimmune or connective tissue conditions
  • Pharmaceutical pain relief
  • Herbal medicine 
  • Acupuncture 
  • Physical therapy 

By the time a person seeks treatment, TMJ is often at its chronic stage so it does take time to treat it and using more than one type of approach would give a person a better outcome. 

For example: managing stress so that a person does not grind their teeth at night thus reducing the need for a dental splint, improving diet to align with low to no inflammation in the body and seeking treatment from a qualified therapist to assist soft tissue release such as having acupuncture or having dental procedures to correct jaw and tooth alignment. 

 

Acupuncture for TMJ:

Acupuncture therapy has been around for centuries and is often known to be able to treatment painful conditions. Aside from dental causes of TMJ, the majority of cases can be seen as a deep route of underling stress which therefore causes tension on the neck, jaw and temporal muscles of the skull. Exacerbated tension leads to exacerbated pain. The added benefits of chinese herbal medicines, diet and lifestyle advice alongside the acupuncture therapy, people can have lasting results in treating TMJ.

 

Current research findings for Acupuncture for TMJ:

  • Acupuncture to have a positive effect in the treatment of pain associated with TMJ compared to the control groups (3). 
  • A 2010 study showed acupuncture treatment of TMJ achieved immediate effect in pain and showed ongoing positive effects after a treatment regime over 8 – 10 weeks of treatment (1).
  • A 2012 study showed pain intensity was less in the trigger point acupuncture group than in the sham (fake acupuncture) treatment group, pain intensity decreased significantly between pretreatment and after 5 weeks, and trigger point acupuncture therapy may be more effective for chronic TMJ myofascial pain (2).
  • A 2014 study showed laser acupuncture therapy improves the symptoms of treatment-resistant TMD. Further studies with a more appropriate designs specific for laser acupuncture are needed (5), however a review of acupuncture randomised control trials (3) found acupuncture showed promising results in the management of TMJ symptoms (4).

 

If you are suffering from TMJ pain please contact us today to discuss how we can help you at our Nambour Acupuncture clinic in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Contact us here

Book online here

 

Hi, I’m TThis is an image of acupuncture for digestive healthanya, an AHPRA registered Acupuncturist and health practitioner in Nambour in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Queensland Australia. I practice Chinese medicine because its safe, logical, relevant and has effectively shown methods of natural wellness for thousands of years (read more about my training here). Life doesn’t need to be complicated and nor does the treatment approaches to get people feeling vibrant and well. I’ve seen people gain a lot from treatments, much more than just alleviating symptoms. It’s exciting to connect with people and share deep wisdom from the classics of ancient and traditional medicine, with modern protocols for todays mind-body living. See you in the clinic ! 

 

 

References :

  1. Acupuncture for Treating Temporomandibular Disorder: Retrospective Study on Safety and Efficacy: Garty Adriel, Maimon Yair, Miller Udi; Acupunct Meridian Stud 2010 
  2. Effects of trigger point acupuncture treatment on temporomandibular disorders: a preliminary randomized clinical trial: Kazunori ItohSayo AsaiHideaki OhyabuKenji ImaiHiroshi Kitakoji; Epub 2012
  3. Acupuncture therapy in the management of the clinical outcomes for temporomandibular disorders A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis: Jun-Yi Wu, MD,Chao Zhang, MD, Yang-Peng Xu, MM, Ya-Yu Yu, MD,Le Peng, PhD, Wei-Dong Leng, PhD,Yu-Ming Niu, PhD, and  Mo-Hong Deng, PhD
  4. Acupuncture for Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review: Seung-Hun Cho KMD PhD, Wei-Wan Whang KMD PhD.
  5.  Clinical effectiveness of laser acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder: Yu-Feng HuangJung-Chih LinHui-Wen YangYu-Hsien LeeChuan-Hang Yu; Epub 2014
  6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/syc-20350941
What is Self Care

What is Self Care

What is self care ? 

You might think having a relaxing bath and exercising is self care, and it is. However self care for everyone is going to be different and there are many ways to take care our wellbeing.  

Checking in with yourself to see how you are is a good place to start. Sitting down for 15 minutes, closing your eyes and focussing on your breathing will tell you if you’re conscious of your breathing or not. People often find it difficult to meditate so if this is you, just sitting or lying down and focussing on your breathing is a start. Inhale for 4 counts and exhale for 4 counts continually for 15 minutes. If this is difficult then start with 5 minutes. Does the inhalation feel the same as the exhalation? Or does one feel more restricted than the other? 

Once here, ask yourself how you are. 

What emotions are present right now? Have I been sleeping well lately? What has been upsetting me lately? Do I feel well in my body – my energy stamina, my digestion, do I have pain in my body? How have the last 3 months been going? The past year? How do I take care of my well being? Do I take care of myself at all? Do I reach for things to change how I feel? A glass of wine, substances? How do I handle stress?

As a Eastern medicine practitioner in the health industry I often ask people how they take care of themselves day to day and also when they aren’t feeling good. 

Self care ideas you maybe haven’t thought of: 

  • Saying no to social events because you’re not up to it
  • Calling friends to be around people you love for company
  • Doing food prep so you have healthy meals through the week
  • Asking a friend to help you with something
  • Getting help with kids so you can have a few hours to yourself
  • Seeing a therapist to talk about things
  • Exercising every day to get the feel good chemicals going in your body
  • Reducing your work or study load
  • Taking time off work
  • Resting at home – literally putting your feet up with a book
  • Sleep
  • Stepping away from unhealthy relationships or jobs
  • Allowing yourself to cry and feel
  • Magnesium bath
  • Time in nature
  • Taking a holiday
  • Being conscious of your behaviours when you are stressed
  • Prayer
  • Meditation
  • Doing your favourite hobbies
  • Conscious breathing
  • Staying off social media if peoples highlight reels are triggering
  • Journaling
  • Trying a new activity
  • Asking for help
  • Quiet days at home
  • Going for a health treatment such as acupuncture to balance your nervous system
  • Reducing or completely removing alcohol and substances
  • Slowing your life down, simplifying things

 

Life can get on top of us sometimes. Checking in with yourself every day by practicing self care is loving yourself. Your self care isn’t going to look the same as someone else’s self care but know there are many ways to nourish your body, mind and spirit. Give yourself time and space to move through things that are happening in your life.

 

This is an image of acupuncture for self careHi, I’m Tanya Keam, an AHPRA registered Acupuncturist and natural health practitioner in Nambour in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Queensland Australia. I practice Chinese medicine and Acupuncture because its safe, logical, relevant and has effectively shown methods of natural wellness for thousands of years (read more about my training here). Life doesn’t need to be complicated and nor does the treatment approaches to get people feeling vibrant and well. I’ve seen people gain a lot from treatments, much more than just alleviating symptoms. It’s exciting to connect with people and share deep wisdom from the classics of ancient and traditional medicine, with modern protocols for todays mind-body living. If you need some guidance in practicing better self care get in touch or book online today.

Gut Feelings

Gut Feelings

Have you ever experienced a ‘gut feeling’? Sometimes accompanied by butterflies in your stomach, a strange feeling in your abdomen or food isn’t digesting well because life has been a bit h E c T i C? We’ve all been there – someone’s energy doesn’t sit right with us, eating on the run or while multitasking 5 different things, pent up emotions or general daily worry of what to do, what to do.. you’re not alone. I’ve been doing a lot more study around gut-brain connection as well as adrenal health this year and by golly, the 21st century is all about RUSHING. This time of year in October, people start to get tired and stressed with only 2-3 months left until the dramatic Christmas season. Already, people are visiting the clinic worn out and running on their reserves. Just take a moment, to take a deep breath, to check in with where you are at.

Today’s living involves a lot of low level anxiety over multi tasking, relying on coffee/stimulants to wake us up, too rich food, restless sleep, social media, lack of exercise and real fun, financial pressure and general trying to ‘have it all’ or merely keep up. I recently read a book called ‘Slow’ by Brooke McAlary and it is literally about living a slower life. To come back into a state of rest and digest so that sleep is sound and restorative, moods are better, you aren’t relying on coffee/stimulants and you’re recognising your own values and what really matters to you.

Nerve pathways run throughout our body, assisting in all things function. Concentration, digestion, respiration for example are all connected in a linking system. The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve that starts in the brain and connects through to our neck and chest, then linking to the abdomen. The vagus nerve is involved with the parasympathetic (rest and digest – when you feel calm and grounded) and the sympathetic (fight-flight – a natural response from stress, when adrenaline kicks in). Both (parasympathetic and sympathetic) are needed to function. Sometimes though, the fight-flight response gets a little overworked – when we push ourselves, when life has thrown us curve balls all at once, pressures of keeping up with everyone else, post traumatic symptoms from trauma and simply feeling anxious and worrying too much. What happens – our gut is affected ! Not to mention pain in the body, fatigue etc.

Acupuncture Chinese medicine Sunshine Coast

Chinese medicine offers some relieving perspective for easing back into the rest and digest state of being by addressing the pathology at its root. When an issue is rectified at the root level, innate processes within you start to take over in a positive domino effect.

Examples include using acupuncture to:

  • Regulate the circadian rhythm (the sleep cycle) so that your hormones and metabolism naturally function well and you wake feeling refreshed, therefore you’re not relying on coffee to perk you up. Not to mention healthy weight and all things gynaecological for woman is smooth sailing throughout monthly cycles.
  • Regulate and strengthen your immune and digestive function so that you are absorbing nutrients properly, your bowel movements feel great and your energy is therefore good too!
  • Unblock stagnant energy in the body from built up stress, tight muscles, poor posture, repressed emotions and that funny gut feeling when worries build up.
  • Supporting your body to prevent overstimulated adrenaline – there is only so many times you can push your adrenals before it becomes detrimental to your health long term.

The vagus nerve doesn’t need to be shocked into shape. It can be toned and strengthened similar to a muscle with small mindful changes to bring you back into feeling cool, calm and collected where you can take a big deep abdominal breath, shaking that funny gut feeling.

 

Other ways to stimulate the vagus nerve and bring you back into rest and digest ways of being include:

  • Gargling – stimulates the palate which is fired by the vagus nerve.
  • Singing and chanting – increases the heart rate, sending relaxing vibrational waves through the vagus nerve that passes through the neck.
  • Laughing – bursts of joy are natural immune boosters. A good laugh can also be followed by coughing, swallowing and bowel movements which all are connected through where the vagus nerve travels.
  • Yoga and Tai chi – both increase the rest and digest activity and studies show regular yoga practices increase the feel good neurotransmitters in the brain.
  • Positive social relationships – research has suggested that thinking compassionately about others naturally increases feelings of joy, hope and serenity which therefore increases the heart rate, thus stimulating the vagus nerve in a positive domino effect.
  • Deep breathing and meditation – your heart and neck contain neurons that have receptors which detect blood pressure and transmit information to your brain. This activates the vagus nerve that connects through to your heart to lower the heart rate and blood pressure. Breathing the equal amount in as out can be very helpful, and you may even notice you naturally breathe shallowly or mildly hyperventilate which then leads to anxiousness.
  • Exercise – shown to stimulate the vagus nerve which then benefits the brain and mental health. As the vagus nerve also connects to digestion, your gut is also stimulated when exercising – increasing blood flow, expanding the diaphragm through breathing and moving pent up stuck emotional stress.
  • Colonic hydrotherapy – expanding the bowel increases vagus nerve stimulation and increases the livers detoxifying pathways.
  • Bursts of cold – washing your face with cold water stimulates the vagus nerve via temperate change and “always takes the edge off” when you’re in a state of panic, stress or mindlessness. A quick 10 seconds of cold water at the end of your morning hot shower can have a similar effect.
  • Learning to CHILL OUT may just be what the doctor ordered. Learning to ‘do nothing’ on weekends, say no to social events when you are tired, and living in a state of your own values and rest.
  • Trusting your gut feeling is a good way to intuitively check in with yourself to give you a heads up about whether you’re in rest and digest mode or fight-flight mode. Most relaxing activities will stimulate the vagus nerve, thus bringing you into a natural state of peace.

 

Hi, I’m Tanya, an Acupuncturist in Nambour on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, Australia.

I practice Chinese medicine because its safe, logical, relevant and has effectively shown methods of natural wellness for thousands of years. Life doesn’t need to be complicated and nor does the treatment approaches to get people feeling vibrant and well. I’ve seen people gain a lot from treatments, much more than just alleviating symptoms. It’s exciting to connect with people and share deep wisdom from the classics of ancient and traditional medicine, with modern protocols for todays mind-body living. See you in the clinic !