Don’t let wedding planning get the best of you. It’s easy to get caught in the hubbub of planning details, which can lead to increased stress levels, anxiety, and irritability. Finding a way to manage your matrimonial tension will help you enjoy the planning process and keep you in touch with why you are getting married in the first place. Acupuncture may help you do just that. Keep reading for the scoop on how acupuncture can help you tame wedding related stress in your life.
Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices in the world - an estimated 5000 years old. It originated in China and is part of the larger healing system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or Oriental Medicine (OM). Acupuncture has gained much popularity in the US over the last two decades and has become an accepted modality to treat many ailments including stress.
But how does it work? Acupuncturist’s say that what keeps our bodies functioning harmoniously is the proper flow of “qi” (pronounced “chee”). Qi flows through the 12 meridians in our body. Meridians are like highways for the qi to travel through. Stress and other factors can interrupt this harmonious flow of qi causing imbalances and even disease in the body. That’s where acupuncture comes in. By inserting very thin, metallic needles into the skin, acupuncturists help smooth out blocked qi and get it to flow smoothly once again, making your feel better.
According to Licensed Acupuncturist, Alex Kraft, "From a Western perspective, acupuncture helps to release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and stress reducers. From a Chinese medicine perspective acupuncturists try to address the root cause of the stress by rebalancing organ systems and how qi flows through each of them."
I’m sure you’re wondering, "Does it hurt?!" This is a concern for most people who have never tried acupuncture before. And the answer is no. You’ll feel a very minor prickly sensation when the needle is inserted, but after that it is painless. I have been lucky enough to receive regular acupuncture treatments over the years, courtesy of my husband (who happens to be the quoted acupuncturist in this blog article) and I can attest that the benefits far outweigh any discomfort you may feel. In my experience, acupuncture sessions are quite relaxing and peaceful. Even if you don’t have many results from the acupuncture itself, you’re bound to feel less stress from the mere fact that you get to lay on a comfortable table for 45 minutes with soft music playing in the background. That’s bound to relax anybody. But most people do report positive results and keep going back for more.
Here’s what you can expect from a typical acupuncture treatment:
Trust me, you won’t be sorry you gave acupuncture a try. Take a little time for yourself. Let those little needles work their magic, helping you to be a more centered, calm bride and/or groom. Your friends and family will thank you.
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