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Some common symptoms and potential consequences of stress if not managed and treated properly include irritability, anger, anxious, nervousness, palpitations, headache, increased blood pressure, muscle tensions, and digestive problems. According to global prevalence, 36.5% of people worldwide are affected by stress.
In our modern busy life where mental healthcare resources are falling short of the need and with increased usage of technology, internet and smartphones, there is a drastic increase in the stress level of individuals and unique challenges associated with it. The “Stress Response System” located in the central and peripheral nervous system is activated whenever a threshold of any stressor is exceeded and plays a major role in the re-establishment of homeostasis/balance of the human body by inducing a complex behavioural and physical adaptive response.
Naturopathic Management of Stress
Biologically based therapies:
Natural Product Based Therapies, which use substances found in nature to promote health. E.g. dietary supplements and herbal remedies, aromatherapy.
- This section mainly focuses on the use of herbs and supplements. They are believed to promote physical and mental health, improve defense mechanisms of the body, and enhance longevity by coping up with the stress mechanism of the body.
- It works by increasing the neuronal (nervous system) uptake of happy hormones like serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and weak inhibition of monoamine oxidase A & B enzymes.
- Examples: Aromatherapy, Phytotherapy, Supplements (ginseng, St Johns Wart, Passion flower etc.)
Mind-body therapies:
Use techniques that enhance the capacity of the mind to affect bodily function and symptoms. E.g. Yoga, meditation, breath work.
- Research demonstrates that mind body therapies can modulate autonomic nervous system function, stress responses, cardiac vagal tone, heart rate variability, central nervous system excitation, and neuroendocrine function.
- Studies have also shown an improvement in telomerase activity, suggesting benefit in stress-induced cellular ageing.
- Examples: yoga, meditation, pranic healing, inner child healing.
Energy-based therapies:
Involve the use of energy fields, either electromagnetic fields or the manipulation of energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the human body.
- Energy-based therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. These vital energy concepts include the Indian term prana, the Chinese term chi, and the Japanese term qi.
- Examples: acupuncture, acupressure, reiki, magneto therapy.
Body-based manipulative therapies:
Therapies based on manipulation and/or movement of parts of the body.
- It increases blood circulation, improve the flow of lymph, soothe sore muscles, and have a tranquilizing effect on the mind. It is believed to stimulate the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system.
- Studies have proved manipulative therapies to reduce anxiety and pain perception.
- Examples: massage therapy, reflexology.
Five element based therapies (panchamahabhuta therapy):
It includes treatments like hydrotherapy, heliotherapy, mud therapy.
- It reduces the level of adrenaline and noradrenaline released in the body, reducing overall stress level. These therapies improve neuronal functions by releasing nerve growth factors or brain derived neurotropic factors (BDNF).
- Five element-based therapies also improve blood circulation and maintain electrolyte balance which also helps to manage and decrease the stress level.
- Examples: cold spinal douche, plantain leaf bath, packs and compresses, Abdominal mud Pack.
