Tagged: adrenal fatigue

Acupuncture / Massage Therapy / Pain Management

COVID Fatigue is Real

Author: Diana Alvarez, Registered Acupuncturist

Diana Alvarez a Registered Acupunturist performing a massage for covid fatigue

In recent weeks, there has been an increase in people turning to acupuncture for support to help with stress and physical pain. In my practice I have noticed people are having trouble staying asleep as their minds just can’t seem to shut off – and they say it’s because of COVID-19.

Alongside this, there are many more tight shoulders to help release these days in clinic. Not only because posture became a concern while working from home, but because our bodies are guarded, so our shoulders are working hard to protect the “Heart” and “Spirit” from the outside world.

The use of acupuncture to support these tough times is a good idea. We need to calm the mind, help reduce its running around endlessly, and there is good help for this!

The Stomach and Spleen organ systems are recognized in Chinese Medicine as being responsible for overthinking and worry when they are out of balance. They are a Yin and Yang pair, so they easily influence each other, and if we needle a Stomach point like ST 36*, it helps bring balance to its best friend quickly. It sends an army of support to the Spleen so its pattern of ruminating can take a break.

*ST 36 is an acupuncture point which calms the mind and is a strong “QI” mover. QI (or Chi) is the energy flow created along the pathways that connect the acupuncture points on the body.

And of course, we will want to reduce the Heart and Small Intestine’s involvement in nighttime overthinking. The Heart needs to rest at night, go into its special cavity in the chest to cozy up for the night. But if it feels unsafe, after a couple of hours of sleep, it doesn’t trust it’s okay to be alone in its home. It wakes us up feeling all anxious, and the mind continues to race. With the Heart and Small intestine’s special bond of being another Yin and Yang pair, using the point SI 3 (small intestine point #3) is perfect. It helps with the Heart’s dilemma of not feeling safe while sleeping, it is the Master Point for calming the Brain, and (drum roll please!) it is the key meridian (channel of energy or QI) that opens up the shoulder! Now, we have a recipe for the overthinking, the anxiety and shoulder pain.

If you are new to acupuncture, please consider booking in for a free 15-minute consultation and issues specific to your concerns can be explained in more detail. The needles used in acupuncture are very thin, allowing for an incredibly gentle approach that calms the nervous system, and is a safe and hygienic treatment that can help make a difference.

Meet with Diana by contacting Pure Body Health Victoria: (778) 265-0043

Naturopathy / Stress

Adrenal Stress and Insomnia

Author: Dr. Angeli Chitale, ND

Adrenal Stress and Insomnia

If you frequently find yourself up waking up at 3-4 am, there may be a simple answer…you are stressed. Fortunately for most – there is a solution, but first we need to understand why you wake up.

Why Stress Causes You to Wake Up at 3-4 am

Stress causes the adrenal glands to fire off adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline gives you a burst of energy to deal with stressful situations (the well known “fight or flight” response. Adrenaline also raises the heart rate, increases respiration, dilates the pupils, slows down digestion and causes muscles to contract. It’s like caffeine on steroids!

A Common Concern for Many

Understandably, if you are stressed or upset it can be impossible to fall asleep, but why does it always wake you up at 3-4 am?  We are all goverend by the circadian rhythm (the day / night cycle set by the movement of the earth around the sun). According to Chinese Medicine 1- 3 am is when your liver regenerates. To do so, it needs glycogen (storage form of glucose). The problem is that adrenaline surges day and night cause your cells to use up glycogen. So if you are often stressed, your body may not have enough glycogen for the liver to regenerate at 3am. If your liver cannot get the glycogen it needs, your adrenal glands will compensate by releasing adrenalin, which is why you are wide awake and ready for action, not exactly a state you want to be in at 3am.

Chinese Medicine 24-Hour Organ Clock

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, our internal organs work to a 24 hour ‘clock’, with certain times of day being peak times for that organ. This is the time that the organ will carry out its most essential functions.

  • Large intestine: 5am-7am
  • Stomach: 7am-9am
  • Spleen: 9am-11am
  • Heart: 11am-1pm
  • Small Intestines: 1pm-3pm
  • Bladder: 3pm-5pm
  • Kidneys: 5pm-7pm
  • Circulation: 7pm-9pm
  • Endocrine system/pancreas: 9pm-11pm
  • Gallbladder: 11pm -1am
  • Liver: 1am-3am
  • Lungs: 3am-5am

I Don’t Want to Wake Up at 3am – An Easy, “Do It Yourself” Remedy

If you always wake up at 3am or have trouble sleeping, this simple home remedy  has changed peoples’ lives so why don’t you give it a try?

Adrenal Cocktail Recipe

  • ½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed from ½ an orange)
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tarter (available at any grocery store)
  • ½ teaspoon Himalayan or Celtic salt (available at any grocery store)

Directions

Just mix all the ingredients and drink before bed or make a double batch and keep by your bedside.

*You may also do this in the morning to deal with stress throughout the day, but always be sure to drink it before bed as well.

The Science Behind it: Why The Adrenal Cocktail Stops You From Waking Up at 3am-4am

The Adrenal Cocktail is made up of ingredients that replenish vital organs (liver, pancreas, cell electrolyte balance) and stabilize glucose levels to keep you from waking up at 3am.

  • Freshly squeezed orange juice:  gives the liver glucose it needs to regenerate.
  • Cream of tartar:  High source of potassium, an essental element for maintaining the sodium/potassium balance in cells, vital organs (liver), muscles, nerves, and the digestive system.
  • Himalayan salt delivers 84 essential minerals and elements found in the human body, nourishing the adrenals and maintain the body’s sodium/potassium pump (inside each cell).

To get a better idea of whether or not you may have adrenal fatigue, take your FREE, mini Adrenal Fatigue Quiz HERE!

Questions?

Ask the Expert on us! Book a FREE 15-min Meet & Greet Consultation with Dr. Angeli Chitale, ND, to find out how Naturopathic Medicine can Restore your Adrenal Function.

Call us at 778-265-0043 or email purebodyhealthvictoria@gmail.com

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