Your Stress and Anxiety is Unique: Your Treatment Options Should be Too!
2020 has been quite a year. We have persevered through a global pandemic, forest fires that caused smoky pink skies and a local moth outbreak. This has affected each of us in many ways. It has impacted our personal life, relationships and perhaps our work performance or even job security.
As a naturopathic doctor, I provide treatment options unique to your health goals and lifestyle. My intention is to uncover the root causes of your health issues, so we can achieve long-term sustainable results. Sometimes the amount of stress you are going through may be too much for the ideal nutrition and lifestyle changes in the moment. When this is the case, the best course of action is to integrate strong, short-term treatments to provide the support for positive changes in your health.
Continue reading for three long-term and three short-term treatments I recommend for stress and anxiety.
Long-Term Treatments for Stress and Anxiety
1. Digestion Optimization
Did you know your digestive tract makes 90% of your body’s serotonin? Serotonin is your “happy hormone”, which famously boosts mood, memory, sleep quality and libido. With a poorly functioning digestive tract, food sensitivities and issues with your gut microbiome can result in feeling more stressed and anxious. From there, a vicious cycle of digestive symptoms such as bloating, and cramping can cause more stress and lead to further issues. Testing for food sensitivities, testing for your bacteria/microbiome balance and optimizing your digestion can support your journey to a healthier digestive tract.
2. Hormone Balancing
Hormones run your body. Cortisol manages stress, and insulin balances your blood sugar levels as well as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. These hormones can impact energy, libido and concentration. Treatment options for hormone balancing includes detailed testing on how your body is processing your hormones and understanding which organ systems needs support.
3. Acupuncture and Breathwork
I believe your body can hold the traumas, emotions, and stress you have gone through in life. Throughout my time as a naturopathic doctor, I have come to view that a lot of physical health issues stem from a mental and emotional root cause. Acupuncture combined with breathwork is another option that can offer relief and a way to support your stress. The goal is for you to walk through the world in a way that serves you with ease and happiness.
Short-Term Treatments for Stress and Anxiety
1. Supplements
There are many herbs and supplements that can provide support specific to your needs. Perhaps your anxiety overtakes you every day – there are non-prescriptive supplements you can take that support a sense of calmness and feeling your best. If you have tried this already and are on anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication, we can work on any nutrient depletions caused by the medication. We will also determine if your body needs additional support and treatments while on medication.
2. Trigger Point Therapy for Muscle Pain
For some individuals, stress shows up as muscle or joint issues like consistent headaches or tight neck and shoulder muscles. Options for trigger point therapy includes acupuncture, electro-stimulation, trigger point injection with vitamins, cupping, and spinal manipulations to line up your joints. These trigger point treatments can support your physical health which will support you in the short-term to achieve long-term goals.
3. Therapuetic Botox – Xeomin for Tension
Sometimes muscle tension feels beyond repair. To support this, Xeomin or
Therapeutic Botox is injected into targeted muscles can work very effectively. The most popular treatments include injections into the jaw or between the brows to support headaches caused by constant frowning. I have personally used these treatments and have found amazing relief.
There are many options that can support relief for stress and anxiety. As a naturopathic doctor, my job is to support your journey with treatments aimed to uncover the root causes of your health issues and achieve long term, sustainable results.
Dr. Kay Wong, ND understands that it can be complicated and frustrating to get to a place of wellness. She offers a safe space where you are heard and cared for. Book an appointment with Dr. Kay Wong, ND to discuss treatments to support your stress and anxiety. To book in, email us at [email protected] or give us a call at 604-974-8999.
