Stress
Primary care physicians (including Naturopathic Physicians) see the impact of stress related concerns in many patient visits. In fact, approximately 75-90 percent of visits are stress related – either acutely or due to chronic issues associated with stress. The stress response evolved from the ‘flight or fight’ mechanism, which helps to protect us from imminent danger. It is easy to see how chronic exposure to stress results in chronic activation of the fight or flight mechanism, but what does that mean for our health?
With stress comes increased blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar, and blood tends to be shunted away from the digestive system. Under evolutionary and biological circumstances, this response was helpful under acute periods of stress, but these days humans are overwhelmed with stressful situations. Stress is a factor in many illnesses from headaches to heart disease, immune deficiencies to digestive problems, and let us not forget the mental-emotional toll stress takes on us.
Stress can also lead to negative associated behaviours, such as:
Overeating or skipping meals
Laying awake at night
Substance use to manage stress (drinking alcohol and smoking are most commonly reported)
Feelings of anger and irritability
With stress weaving its way through out our day-to-day lives, it is difficult to imagine what can possibly be done to mitigate its effects. We are here to say, ‘don’t stress about it’.
A naturopathic doctor is well equipped to offer stress management techniques that can be intertwined into a person’s daily life. These include grounding exercises, deep breathing techniques, finding time to be in nature, and surrounding yourself with loved ones. Also, a balanced diet and physical exercise can help mitigate the effects of stress. But what about the physiological effects of stress on our health and wellness – what can be done about the impact of stress on our internal system?
Botanical medicine is an effective modality that naturopaths can use to help alleviate the consequences of stress on the body. Botanicals used to improve non- specific responses to stress and also promote recovery from stress include:
Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng)
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)
Rhodiola rosea
These herbs are known as ‘adaptogens’. They are relatively harmless and they increase the resistance of the consumer to a variety of physical, chemical, or biological stressors. Many professional supplement companies offer combination products that have proven to be effective in clinical trials.
There are also botanicals and specific nutrients that help to modulate cortisol (the ‘stress’ hormone), help to relax the system (most people have probably heard of Matricaria chamomilla or chamomile tea), and support the creation of neurotransmitters the have a positive influence on mood, sleep, hunger, etc.
Since stress is an unavoidable fact of daily life, and it is associated with many health concerns and serious illnesses, it is good to know that there are primary health care practitioners that are able to address stress related conditions with a variety of modalities. Many nutrients and botanicals – in addition to lifestyle modifications and considerations (whole foods diet, regular exercise, meditation, etc.) – can provide the necessary support the body needs to modulate the stress response. If you are feeling the weight of stress on your shoulders, talk to your naturopathic physician to see what approach would be best for you.
Here at Oak Integrative, we take an integrated approach to health and well-being, by working collaboratively with our practitioners to support you in the many areas of healthcare. With three Naturopathic Doctors, an Acupuncturist and Doctor of Chinese Medicine, a Chiropractor, Registered Massage Therapists, and a Registered Clinical Counsellor, we can create a tailored health plan suited to your needs. Click here to book in with our team!
Have more questions? Give us a call at (604) 227-9990 and our front desk staff would be happy to help get you started on your health journey.
Oak Integrative is conveniently located near Lougheed Mall and services the Lower Mainland, including the surrounding communities of Coquitlam, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Port Moody.