Three Types of Stress

Did you know there are different types of stress? And that different types of stress cause different health issues? At BlueWhite Health in Kamloops we use acupuncture and other types of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to help your body deal more effectively with stressors of all types. Many health conditions and symptoms can be caused by stress or their symptoms can become worse or heightened. Acupuncture can provide stress relief.

Together, let’s look at the three different types of stress, their effects on the human body, and ways acupuncture can help to lessen the toll stress takes on your body, mind and spirit.

1. Acute Stress

When you are experiencing the daily stressors in your life, you are dealing with acute stress. Anxiety surrounding a recent argument or an upcoming exam, irritation over a spilled glass of juice, or our partners loud snoring keeping us awake are examples of acute stress. Those are a few negative examples, but acute stress can also be exciting – think about jumping off the high diving board and the surge of adrenaline it causes. A few instances of acute stress over the course of your day may have short term effects that include irritability and/or a rapid heartbeat, but as long as the stressors aren’t excessive, acute stress does not generally cause long term damages. Once the stressful event has passed, the symptoms will dissipate.

2. Episodic Stress

If daily stressors continually pile up without being properly dealt with, you may experience episodic stress – this is caused when acute stress is allowed to build up. Although similar to acute stress, episodic stress includes the combined effects and can have more long term, debilitating effects. Think about one bad day turning into a bad month as bills begin piling up, your sitter cancels for the third time and your car breaks down – these prolonged stressors lead to episodic stress. Episodic stress can lead to serious muscle issues, headaches and jaw pain as well as a compromised immune system and depression. It can also cause mental fatigue and result in compromised relationships. Even when not directly experiencing a stressful event, symptoms caused by episodic stress may remain.

3. Chronic Stress

Chronic stress is the most likely to result in long term, and potentially permanent, consequences. This is stress that has built up over years, or possibly, a lifetime. It can involve serious issues beyond our control, such as war, poverty, or a pandemic and lead to feelings of hopelessness. When left untreated, chronic stress can be detrimental to both your physical and mental health. Recovery may be slow, but with help, it is possible. If the stress in your life feel like more than you can handle, seek medical attention right away. You do not have to suffer in silence. There are treatments available to help and one of them that has been proven to help is acupuncture.

How Does Acupuncture Help?

Acupuncture helps to balance the body’s systems while releasing 'feel good' hormones. It can also help alleviate symptoms related to stress, including tight muscles, tension headaches, insomnia and stomach issues. Learn more about our Acupuncture Services and reach out to book an appointment today.