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Stress has become an unavoidable part of life in our modern world. We are constantly assaulted by emotional, physical and environmental stress, which directly affects our health. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), stress results in the stagnation of Qi, our vital energy or life force. The results of Qi stagnation accounts for many of the health problems that plague modern society. While some people choose to mask the symptoms of their disease, physicians of TCM use our model of disease mechanisms to treat the problem at the root.
Stress affects us all very differently, although there are some common patterns that are easily seen once you understand how the stagnation of Qi may manifest in the body. One common complaint of people under stress is muscle tension in their necks and shoulders, often leading to headaches. This is an example of Qi not flowing freely through this area. While aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as alcohol, might temporarily numb the body to the pain, often nothing is done to restore the free flow of Qi, and the result is once the pain killers wear off, the symptoms return.
Another common complaint in western society, as evidenced by the rise in usage of over-the-counter stomach acid blockers, is acid reflux (heartburn) and indigestion that often leads to more serious digestive disorders. While it is important to realize the role of diet in causing these problems, stress is often a key factor in these disorders. Many people hold their stress in their stomachs, and the resulting stagnation of Qi leads to a breakdown in the natural process of digestion. The production of stomach acid is a healthy and natural process that should not be stopped. What needs to be addressed is the quality of food being placed into the stomach and the free flow of Qi which allows the contents of the stomach to descend naturally through the digestive tract. If the Qi stagnation is not treated, over time this may lead to the different stages of disease associated with, in this case, the stomach & digestive systems. For example one might first notice a lot of belching & indigestion, which left ignored leads to acid reflux, ulcers, or eventually esophageal or stomach cancer.
So what happens when people hold their stress inside their chest? Stagnation of Qi in the chest will result in high blood pressure, angina (chest pain), and eventually, if left untreated, may lead to myocardial infarction (heart attack). Once again, diets that are high in fats and cholesterol are also significant contributors to the whole range of heart disease. In TCM, excess fatty foods leads to the production of Dampness and Phlegm in the body, and Qi has a difficult time flowing through these thick and obstructive substances. Smoking is another significant contributor to heart disease, emphysema and lung cancer. The build up of tar, and other environmental pollutants, in the lungs creates another obstacle to the free flow of Qi.
Take a moment to think about where you hold your stress, and how the free flow of Qi may be blocked in your body. Have you noticed a progression of discomfort in that area? It is clear that stress is a virulent disease mechanism, and while we may not be able to eliminate stress from our lives, we can optimize our health by treating the resulting stagnation of Qi before it leads to more serious and life threatening illness.
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