Dr Maggie Ju
Acupuncture London
07944930253
Belgravia, Notting Hill,
Richmond
Pain Relief: headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, shoulder pain back pain hip pain and groin pain knee pain vulvodynia UTI and bladder pain pelvic pain nerve pain arthritis elbow pain hand and wrist pain eye pain ear pain
Fertility and Miscarriage: infertility, miscarriage, high FSH, low AMH, short luteal phase, low progesterone, IVF support PCOS POF endometriosis
Antiaging and skin care: facial rejuvenation wrinkle reduction face lift skin tightening pore reduction neck lines skin smoothing, puffy face
Dr Maggie Ju Acupuncture Treatment:
Efficient, Natural, Gentle, Pain Free, Noninvasive, Minimal side effects
Contact 07944930253 or email: maggieacupuncture@gmail.com
We offer acupuncture service for trauma, PTSD and other emotions and wellness support.
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Healing from emotional and psychological trauma with acupuncture
Healing from emotional and psychological trauma can be a challenging journey, but acupuncture offers a promising approach to recovery. Trauma, whether caused by a single traumatic event or ongoing stress, can profoundly impact an individual's mental and emotional well-being, leading to a range of distressing symptoms such as confusion, difficulty concentrating, anger, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, fear, depression, and negative thoughts. Additionally, physical symptoms like insomnia, fatigue, racing heartbeat, and muscle tension may also manifest.
To effectively heal from trauma, it is crucial to address the underlying emotional and psychological aspects. Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese healing practice, can play a significant role in this process.
One way acupuncture contributes to healing trauma is by regulating brain regions responsible for controlling emotions, including the amygdala. By influencing the nervous system and balancing chemicals involved in emotional processing, acupuncture promotes mental and emotional release. This release enables individuals to let go of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, fear, depression, and other negative emotions associated with trauma.
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The Healing Potential of Acupuncture for PTSD: Restoring Balance and Well-being
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health condition that affects individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. The symptoms of PTSD can be overwhelming and significantly impact a person's quality of life. While traditional treatments such as therapy and medication are commonly utilized, there is growing evidence that acupuncture, an ancient Chinese healing practice, can provide relief and support in the management of PTSD symptoms. In this article, we will explore the potential benefits of acupuncture for individuals suffering from PTSD and shed light on its mechanism of action.
PTSD and Its Challenges: PTSD is characterized by intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and hyperarousal. It can lead to emotional distress, social isolation, and a diminished sense of well-being. Conventional treatments often focus on managing symptoms through psychotherapy and medication. However, these approaches may not be effective for everyone and can have side effects. Therefore, alternative therapies like acupuncture have gained attention for their potential to address the complex nature of PTSD.
How Acupuncture Works: From a Western medical perspective, acupuncture is believed to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues, triggering the release of endorphins and other neurochemicals that can alleviate pain and promote relaxation.
Benefits of Acupuncture for PTSD:
1, Reducing Anxiety and Hyperarousal: Acupuncture has been shown to regulate the autonomic nervous system, reducing the heightened arousal and anxiety commonly experienced in individuals with PTSD. It can help restore a sense of calmness and relaxation, allowing individuals to better manage their symptoms.
2, Alleviating Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances: Many PTSD sufferers struggle with sleep disturbances. Acupuncture treatments can help regulate sleep patterns by promoting the release of neurotransmitters that induce relaxation and improve sleep quality. This can lead to better overall mental and physical health.
3, Enhancing Emotional Stability: Acupuncture sessions have been reported to help stabilize emotions and reduce mood swings associated with PTSD. By targeting specific acupuncture points, the treatment can promote the release of endorphins and serotonin, improving emotional well-being and providing a greater sense of control over one's emotions.
4, Easing Chronic Pain and Physical Tension: Physical symptoms often accompany PTSD, including chronic pain, headaches, and muscle tension. Acupuncture can help alleviate these symptoms by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and promoting the body's natural healing processes.
5, Complementary Approach to Traditional Treatments: Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with conventional therapies for PTSD, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or medication. It serves as a complementary approach, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of the condition.
While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism of action and long-term effects of acupuncture on PTSD, the growing body of evidence suggests that it can be a valuable adjunctive therapy in the treatment of this complex disorder. Acupuncture offers a holistic approach by targeting multiple aspects of PTSD, providing relief from symptoms, and promoting overall well-being.
Where Is Trauma Stored in the Body? Understanding the Mind-Body Connection
Trauma is not just an emotional experience—it’s also a physical one. When we go through distressing events, our bodies can hold onto the stress, tension, and pain, even long after our minds have tried to move on. This phenomenon, known as somatic memory, explains why past trauma can manifest as chronic pain, tension, or even illness. But where exactly is trauma stored in the body? Let’s explore the connection between trauma and different areas of the body.
1. The Brain: The Control Center of Trauma
Trauma first impacts the brain, particularly the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. The amygdala, which processes fear, can become hyperactive, making people more sensitive to stress. The hippocampus, responsible for memory, can shrink, leading to difficulties in recalling or processing traumatic events. The prefrontal cortex, which regulates emotions and decision-making, may become underactive, making it harder to manage emotional reactions.
2. The Shoulders and Neck: Carrying the Weight of Stress
People who have experienced trauma often carry tension in their shoulders and neck. This is especially true for those with unresolved stress or anxiety, as the body remains in a fight-or-flight state, causing the muscles to stay tight. Chronic neck pain or stiffness can be a sign of stored trauma.
3. The Chest: The Heartache of Emotional Trauma
Emotional trauma, particularly grief or loss, is often felt in the chest. Many people describe feeling a “tightness” or “heaviness” in their chest when dealing with emotional pain. This area is closely linked to the heart and lungs, making deep breathing difficult for those holding onto trauma.
4. The Stomach and Gut: The Second Brain
The gut is often called the “second brain” because of its strong connection to the nervous system. Stress and trauma can lead to digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nausea, bloating, or chronic stomach pain. This happens because trauma triggers the vagus nerve, affecting digestion and overall gut health.
5. The Hips: Storing Unprocessed Emotions
The hips are another common place where trauma is stored, especially for those who have experienced physical or emotional abuse. This is because the psoas muscle (often called the “muscle of the soul”) is deeply connected to the body’s survival instincts. Tight or painful hips can be a sign of unprocessed fear, anxiety, or sadness.
6. The Hands and Arms: Defensive Energy
People who have experienced trauma may unknowingly clench their fists or feel tension in their arms. This is often a result of the body preparing for self-defense, even when there is no immediate threat. Some people may also experience numbness or tingling in their hands, reflecting suppressed emotions.
7. The Legs and Feet: The Urge to Flee
The legs and feet are associated with movement and survival. Trauma, especially experiences involving fear or danger, can cause tightness or pain in these areas. This is because the body’s fight-or-flight response prepares us to run away from threats. If the trauma was never fully processed, the body may remain in this state, leading to chronic tension in the lower body.
Healing Trauma Stored in the Body with Acupuncture
Understanding where trauma is stored is the first step toward healing.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture can help bodily sensations to release stored trauma, help release muscular tension caused by emotional trauma, encourages body awareness and relaxation and help the brain reprocess traumatic memories.
Trauma is not just in the mind—it lives in the body. If left unprocessed, it can manifest as chronic pain, emotional distress, or even illness. Recognizing where trauma is stored allows us to take steps toward healing and release. With the help of acupuncture, we can begin to let go of the past and reclaim our physical and emotional well-being.
Does the Body Have Memory? Exploring the Science Behind Somatic Recall
When we think of memory, we often associate it with the brain—the organ responsible for storing, retrieving, and processing past experiences. However, a growing body of research suggests that the body itself may also hold memory, influencing our emotions, behaviors, and even physical well-being. This concept, often referred to as "somatic memory" or "body memory," is central to fields such as trauma therapy, neuroscience, and holistic health. But does the body truly have memory, and if so, how does it work?
Understanding Somatic Memory
Somatic memory is the idea that the body can store and recall experiences, particularly those linked to trauma or intense emotions. Unlike cognitive memory, which is consciously accessible, somatic memory manifests through physical sensations, muscle tension, postures, and even unconscious behavioral patterns. People who experience trauma often report feeling physical symptoms—such as pain, tightness, or discomfort—when triggered by certain stimuli, even if they do not consciously remember the event.
The Science Behind Body Memory
Research in neuroscience and psychology provides some evidence that supports the idea of body memory:
The Role of the Nervous System: The autonomic nervous system (ANS), which regulates involuntary bodily functions, is deeply connected to emotional responses. The fight-or-flight mechanism, controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, can cause the body to "remember" stressful experiences by maintaining heightened states of alertness or tension.
Cellular Memory: Some scientists propose that cells throughout the body store biochemical imprints of experiences. While this remains a debated topic, studies suggest that trauma can alter gene expression through epigenetics, potentially influencing how future stressors are handled at a cellular level.
Muscle Memory: Athletes and musicians often speak of "muscle memory"—the ability to perform complex movements without conscious effort after extensive practice. This phenomenon is due to the reinforcement of neural pathways between the brain and muscles, allowing for automatic execution of learned actions.
The Limbic System and Emotional Memory: The limbic system, particularly the amygdala and hippocampus, plays a crucial role in emotional and somatic memory. The amygdala processes emotional responses, while the hippocampus encodes memories. When trauma occurs, the hippocampus may fail to properly process the memory, leaving it stored in the body as unresolved tension or pain.
Trauma and Body Memory
Many trauma survivors experience physical symptoms linked to past events, even in the absence of conscious recollection. This is particularly evident in conditions such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), where triggers can cause flashbacks, anxiety, and physical pain. Somatic therapy approaches, such as acupucture aim to help individuals release stored trauma from the body.
Can the Body Really Remember?
While scientific research continues to explore the depths of somatic memory, anecdotal evidence and therapeutic practices suggest that the body does retain experiences in ways we do not fully understand. Whether through neural pathways, biochemical changes, or unconscious motor patterns, the body's connection to memory is undeniable. Understanding this connection can be valuable for healing from trauma, improving physical performance, and fostering overall well-being.
The notion that the body has memory is both fascinating and complex. While traditional neuroscience focuses on the brain as the primary site of memory, emerging studies suggest that the body plays a significant role in storing and recalling experiences. Whether through muscle memory, nervous system responses, or epigenetic changes, the body's capacity to "remember" has profound implications for mental and physical health. As research advances, exploring the interplay between mind and body may offer deeper insights into healing and human resilience.
​The Unraveling Connection Between Stress and Insomnia
In the fast-paced, modern world, stress has become an almost ubiquitous companion, affecting individuals across all walks of life. One of the significant consequences of chronic stress is its impact on sleep, leading to the widespread phenomenon known as insomnia.
Stress is the body's natural response to a perceived threat or challenge. It triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, preparing the body for the "fight or flight" response. While acute stress can be beneficial in certain situations, chronic stress, often stemming from work pressures, relationship issues, financial concerns, or health problems, can have detrimental effects on both mental and physical well-being.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing non-restorative sleep. While it can be influenced by various factors such as lifestyle, environmental conditions, and underlying health issues, stress is a prominent contributor to the development and exacerbation of insomnia.
The Stress-Insomnia Connection:
Hyperarousal and the Sleep-Wake Cycle:
Chronic stress can disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to a state of hyperarousal where the mind and body remain alert and active when they should be winding down for rest.
Heightened levels of stress hormones interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone crucial for regulating sleep, making it difficult for individuals to fall asleep.
Racing Thoughts and Mental Turmoil:
Stress often brings about racing thoughts and persistent worry, creating mental turmoil that makes it challenging to relax and initiate sleep.
The mind becomes a battleground for unresolved stressors, further intensifying the difficulty of achieving a restful state.
Physiological Impact on Sleep Architecture:
Prolonged exposure to stress can alter the architecture of sleep, reducing the time spent in deep, restorative sleep stages.
This disruption can result in a fragmented and insufficient sleep pattern, leaving individuals feeling fatigued and unrefreshed upon waking.
Consequences of the Duo:
Impaired Cognitive Function:
Insufficient sleep due to stress-related insomnia can impair cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and decision-making.
Emotional Distress:
The interplay of stress and insomnia can contribute to heightened emotional distress, exacerbating mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Physical Health Risks:
Chronic insomnia linked to stress has been associated with an increased risk of various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and a weakened immune system.
Acupuncture is an efficient way to reduce stress and have a good night sleep.
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Dr Maggie Ju's guest blog
10 Reasons Why You Should Consider Acupuncture for Stress Relief
1, Improved Brain Function: Stress negatively affects the brain, impairing the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which regulates thoughts, actions, and emotions. Acupuncture has been found to enhance brain connectivity between different regions and improve PFC function, benefiting overall brain function.
2, Anxiety Reduction: Stress often leads to anxiety, causing fear, worry, and unease. Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins and helps balance chemicals in the brain, effectively reducing anxiety symptoms such as irritability, agitation, and an inability to relax.
3, Rejuvenated Appearance: Prolonged stress can contribute to facial tension, leading to the formation of wrinkles. It also reduces blood circulation, dries out the skin, and damages collagen, accelerating the aging process. Acupuncture releases facial tension, improves circulation, and enhances collagen synthesis, helping you maintain a more youthful appearance.
4, Muscle Relaxation: Stress tends to manifest as tension in the face, head, neck, and shoulders. The muscles in these areas become sensitive to stress and can remain chronically tight. Acupuncture effectively releases tension and relaxes muscles by calming nerve activity throughout the body.
5, Pain Relief: Stress often triggers tension headaches, characterized by a constant ache on one or both sides of the head. Acupuncture has proven effective in reducing pain throughout the body, providing relief from headaches and other stress-induced aches.
6, Improved Digestion: Stress can disrupt digestion, leading to abdominal cramps, bloating, and gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and constipation. Acupuncture helps improve digestion by reducing sympathetic nerve activity and relieving abdominal cramps.
7, Better Sleep: Stress can cause insomnia, as stress hormones like glucocorticoids disrupt sleep patterns. Acupuncture helps rebalance hormones, reduce brain activity, and improve sleep quality, promoting better rest and relaxation.
8, Increased Energy: Stress puts a significant strain on the body, depleting energy levels and causing fatigue. Acupuncture improves circulation, balances hormones, and boosts energy, helping combat the tiredness and lack of energy associated with stress.
9, Hormonal Balance: Stress triggers the release of cortisol, which can disrupt hormonal balance and lead to weight fluctuations, persistent acne, and irregular menstrual cycles. Acupuncture effectively rebalances hormones, helping alleviate these symptoms.
10, Enhanced Fertility: Stress can adversely affect fertility by disrupting hormone production and causing irregular menstrual cycles. The release of cortisol, a stress hormone, can deplete sex hormones and compromise fertility. Acupuncture helps restore hormonal balance, potentially improving fertility.
Incorporating acupuncture into your stress management routine can provide numerous benefits for both your physical and mental well-being. By addressing the root causes of stress and promoting relaxation and balance within the body, acupuncture offers a holistic approach to stress relief and overall health.
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10 Reasons Why You Should Consider Acupuncture to Alleviate Anxiety
1, Enhanced Quality of Life: While occasional anxiety is common, chronic anxiety can significantly disrupt your daily life. If you find yourself constantly anxious, it's important to take action and seek relief.
2, Reduced Risk of Physical Illness: Research suggests that individuals with anxiety disorders have a higher likelihood of developing chronic medical conditions. Moreover, when they do become ill, their symptoms tend to be more severe, and they face an increased risk of mortality.
3, Preservation of Brain Health: Anxiety triggers the amygdala and the hippocampus, which respond to perceived threats and store these experiences in the hippocampus. Recent studies have revealed that prolonged anxiety can lead to structural degeneration and impaired functioning of these brain regions, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex.
4, Alleviation of Headaches and Dizziness: Anxiety prompts the brain to release hormones and chemicals. Persistent anxiety and panic attacks can result in the regular release of stress hormones, increasing the frequency of symptoms such as headaches and dizziness.
5, Improved Mental Health and Well-being: Anxiety often manifests as irritability, emotional instability, depression, a negative mood, and easy anger.
6, Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Issues: Anxiety can cause rapid heart rate, palpitations, chest pain, and breathlessness, thereby increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and respiratory conditions like asthma.
7, Enhanced Immune Function: Anxiety triggers the body's fight-or-flight response, leading to the release of stress hormones and immune substances to cope with perceived threats. However, chronic anxiety can deplete the immune system and weaken its function, leaving you more susceptible to viral infections.
8, Alleviation of Aches and Pains: Anxiety often results in muscle tension, inflammation, and chronic pain.
9, Improved Sleep and Energy Levels: Anxiety can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to extreme fatigue and a constant feeling of exhaustion. It can also contribute to a decreased libido.
10, Relief from Digestive Issues: Anxiety can manifest as stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and loss of appetite. There is a known connection between anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The amygdala and hippocampus play crucial roles in anxiety, stress, and other mood changes. The hypersensitivity of these brain regions contributes to anxiety disorders.
Acupuncture has been found to reduce activity in the amygdala and hippocampus. It improves memory impairment induced by stress and increases the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) in the hippocampus. Acupuncture also lowers stress hormone levels, enhances the production of endogenous opioids, and decreases sympathetic nerve activities. Furthermore, acupuncture helps reduce inflammation and counteracts stress-induced changes in the body.
By considering acupuncture as a potential treatment option, you can address the root causes of anxiety and experience relief from its debilitating effects on your physical and mental well-being.
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Depression and anxiety are most commonly treated with acupuncture after lower back pain in the US.
Depression and anxiety are two common mental health disorders that affect a significant portion of the population in the United States. While there are various treatment options available, acupuncture has emerged as a popular alternative therapy for these conditions, following its widespread use for lower back pain. In fact, a recent survey conducted among 419 acupuncturists across the US shed light on the conditions most commonly treated with acupuncture, with depression and anxiety ranking high on the list.
Acupuncture has been practiced as an alternative medicine in the US for many decades, gaining recognition for its ability to alleviate pain. Individuals with chronic pain have often turned to acupuncture as a non-pharmaceutical approach, especially amidst the opioid crisis that has gripped the nation. However, as awareness about the effectiveness of acupuncture spread, its application expanded beyond pain management, encompassing a broad spectrum of medical conditions.
A survey conducted among acupuncturists revealed that lower back pain remained the most frequently treated condition with acupuncture, which is consistent with its established reputation as a pain-relieving technique. However, the study also highlighted the increasing demand for acupuncture in the field of mental health management. Depression and anxiety, two mood disorders that affect millions of Americans, were among the top 10 conditions treated with acupuncture.
Depression and anxiety are distinct disorders, each with its own set of symptoms, causes, and treatments. However, there is often an overlap between the two, and individuals may experience symptoms of both conditions simultaneously. Acupuncture offers a holistic approach to addressing these mental health concerns.
The effectiveness of acupuncture in treating depression and anxiety is supported by both anecdotal evidence and scientific research. Many individuals have reported improvements in their mood, reduction in anxiety levels, and enhanced overall mental well-being after undergoing acupuncture treatments. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated the potential of acupuncture to modulate brain activity, regulate neurotransmitters, and promote the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers and mood enhancers.
The integration of acupuncture into a comprehensive treatment plan can provide individuals with a multifaceted approach to managing their mental health.
In addition to depression and anxiety, the survey also highlighted other conditions commonly treated with acupuncture in the US. These included headaches, arthritis, allergies, general pain, female infertility, insomnia, neck pain, frozen shoulder, as well as various immune system dysfunctions, gastrointestinal diseases, gynecological issues, and neurological disorders.
In conclusion, acupuncture has emerged as a popular alternative therapy for various conditions in the United States. While its reputation initially revolved around pain management, it is now increasingly sought after for mental health concerns, particularly depression and anxiety.
References
Wang H et al Am J Chin Med. 2018 Oct 9:1-33. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X18500738.