This article was provided by Jackson Nurse Professionals.
While you might love travel nursing and exploring new destinations, sometimes the stress and anxiety you experience on a day-to-day basis can make any assignment miserable. In fact, beyond your career as a nurse, travel anxiety is common; The Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders reported that it’s not only brought on by commuting a long distance but also by meeting new people, putting yourself out there, and generally stepping outside of your comfort zone.
While relaxation techniques like meditation and taking long, slow breaths may help you cope with some anxiousness, acupuncture may be an alternative method to consider for longer-lasting results.
What is acupuncture?
According to the Mayo Clinic, acupuncture is a method of traditional Chinese medicine that is defined as the insertion of thin needles into the skin in specifically targeted points on the body. The idea behind acupuncture is that it has the ability to rebalance energy flow by stimulating nerves, muscles, and connective tissues within the body. It’s used to realign the body’s natural ability to heal.
Acupuncture is most commonly used to reduce symptoms of common conditions, such as tension migraines, lower back pain, neck pain, and menstrual cramps. More recently, acupuncture has been used to improve overall wellness, specifically in line with reducing stress levels and better managing anxiety. In fact, in a study released in 2021 by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, they found that “..two types of acupuncture significantly reduced survivors’ chronic pain.”
Can it help you?
Opinions vary, but Rosa N. Schnyer reports that 9 out of 10 of her clients respond positively to acupuncture. A clinical assistant professor of nursing at The University of Texas at Austin reports that her patients frequently respond with “wow!” after acupuncture treatment.
Ladan Eshkevari, Ph.D., CRNA, LAc, associate professor in the department of nursing and the department of pharmacology and physiology at GUMC, shared the potential benefits acupuncture can have on those dealing with stress and anxiety.
“The benefits of acupuncture are well known by those who use it, but such proof is anecdotal,” Eshkevari said in a press release. “This research, the culmination of several studies, demonstrates how acupuncture might work in the human body to reduce stress and pain, and, potentially, depression.”
What now?
Because results can vary from person to person, it’s better to meet with an acupuncturist and decide from there. They’ll ask about your medical history, health concerns, and symptoms you want to treat. Then, you can decide.
Travel nursing is all about stepping outside of your comfort zone. Maybe this is your chance to reduce your stress and anxiety while trying something new. If you do, let us know how it went!
We hope you found this information on acupuncture helpful. For more articles on wellness for travel nurses click here.
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