Nurture Your Nervous System
Nurture Your Nervous System:
Alleviating Nerve Pain with Lifestyle and Nutrition
Are you concerned about the health of your nervous system?
Our nervous system informs us what is happening deep within the body. Many symptoms may indicate dysfunction or imbalance within the nervous system; informing when the nerves are working overtime (hyperactive) or undertime (hypoactive).
Here are some common symptoms of both a hyperactive and hypoactive nervous system:
When the nervous system is Hyperactive:
Anxiety: Excessive worrying, feeling on edge, or experiencing panic attacks.
Restlessness: Difficulty sitting still, feeling constantly on the move, or having a sense of inner agitation.
Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to racing thoughts or heightened arousal.
Increased Heart Rate: Palpitations or a sensation of a racing heart.
Sweating: Excessive sweating, especially in response to stress or nervousness.
Digestive Issues: Stomachaches, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal discomfort due to increased stress responses.
Muscle Tension: Tightness or tension in muscles, leading to headaches, jaw pain, or overall body aches.
Hypervigilance: Being overly aware of potential threats or dangers in the environment.
Difficulty Concentrating: Inability to focus due to a constantly active mind or distractibility.
Irritability: Feeling easily frustrated or agitated, sometimes leading to anger outbursts.
Symptoms of an Underactive or Hypoactive Nervous System:
Fatigue: Persistent feelings of tiredness or exhaustion, even after adequate rest.
Sluggishness: Slow movements, speech, or cognitive processing.
Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or lack of interest in activities once enjoyed.
Memory Problems: Difficulty recalling information or concentrating for extended periods.
Decreased Heart Rate: Bradycardia, or a slower-than-normal heart rate.
Low Blood Pressure: Hypotension, leading to dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting spells.
Poor Digestive Function: Constipation, bloating, or other gastrointestinal issues due to reduced peristalsis.
Reduced Reflexes: Slower reaction times or diminished responses to stimuli.
Decreased Sensation: Numbness or tingling sensations in extremities due to reduced nerve activity.
Impaired Immune Function: Increased susceptibility to infections due to a weakened immune response.
It is important to always consult a Medical Professional when you seek support in healing the nervous system. Understanding your symptoms can help tailor your approach to support you bring balance back to the nervous system. Your experience and clinical diagnostic tools inform the direction that (TCM) Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can best serve your healing.
TCM, Qi, & the Nervous System
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture; common nerve pain symptoms are associated with an imbalance of Qi (vital energy) and blood flow in the body. In biomedical terms, we can think of Qi movement as the balanced functioning of various physiological processes in the body, including circulation, nerve signaling, and cellular metabolism. Symptoms of hyperactivity or hypoactivity indicate a blockage or disruption in the flow of Qi and blood along the meridians, which are energy channels in the body. Acupuncture aims to restore the balance of Qi and blood, unblocking the meridians and alleviating nerve symptoms.
The balancing and movement of Qi and blood in the body can be attained through multiple tactics.
Acupuncture to enhance reparation and circulation.
Mind Body movement, such as Qi Gong, with awareness to the cause of the nerve imbalance.
Bodywork such as neurologically focused massage techniques.
Nutrition to build the body back up when it lacks the building blocks for self-reparation.
Herbal Intervention and proper supplementation to provide building blocks for self-reparation.
Understanding and Regulating external stimuli.
Understanding and Regulating internal stress.
Nourishing the Nerves Daily w/ TCM
The decisions we make each day, what we see and hear, the food we eat for energy, and how fast we live can all impact our nervous system. When we make healthy lifestyle choices, such as engaging in stress-reducing activities like meditation or tai chi, consuming nourishing foods, and maintaining a balanced pace of life, we support the smooth flow of Qi and promote harmony throughout the body.
Conversely, exposure to excessive stress, unhealthy dietary habits, overstimulation from electronic devices, and a fast-paced lifestyle can disrupt the flow of Qi and lead to imbalances in the nervous system. For example, chronic stress can stagnate Qi and contribute to symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and insomnia, while poor dietary choices can weaken the body's Qi and lead to deficiencies or excesses that affect nerve function.
In TCM terms: Kidney Yin Deficiency
If you're a high-energy individual finding yourself overwhelmed by your surroundings, it's beneficial to carve out time to relax and engage in activities that promote inner calmness and tranquility. This can involve taking breaks to decompress and incorporating practices like mindfulness or meditation into your routine. By making space for these calming activities, you can better manage the effects of overstimulation and cultivate a sense of balance and well-being. Other symptoms of Kidney Yin Deficiency; which may or may not be related to the causes of nerve symptoms, include burnout, sever exhaustion, constitutional weakness, and chronic spinal conditions.
In TCM terms: Kidney Yang Deficiency
For those that find themselves more lethargic and already living a slower than normal pace, it is important to find gentle movement routines to build the body back up. Qi-Gong is an excellent and gentle option for such exercise routines. For those with Hypoactive nervous systems, it is important to gentle move through the day and to not over book ones-self as this often creates further fatigue. Other symptoms of Kidney Yang Deficiency; which may or may not be related to the causes of nerve symptoms, include chronic urological disorders, depression, anxiety, recurrent lower back pain, rheumatoid arthritis and impaired hearing.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) incorporates therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, and lifestyle modifications. These are utilized to restore balance to the nervous system and support overall well-being. By addressing the root causes of imbalance and promoting the smooth flow of Kidney Yin or Yang Qi, individuals can optimize their nervous system health and enhance their resilience to stress and external stimuli. Nerve damage, when constant, is the result of an acute injury to the body or more likely a long term condition in response to years of impact. Restoring complete nerve health may take months to years in therapeutic interventions. Critical to which; proving the building blocks of health with proper nutrition and herbal medicines, and enhancing the bodies circulation with Qi-Gong and Acupuncture, are critical.
Food Choices for Nerve Health
Incorporating a balanced diet that includes foods high in vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and magnesium may benefit nerve health as these are major minerals and nutrients by which the nervous system functions. A varied diet of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, meat/seafood, & nuts/seeds will contribute to one’s overall health and aid in supporting the nervous system.
Increase foods that contain thiamine (vitamin B) such as whole grains, and green vegetables, to maintain nerve health.
It is best to NOT consume white sugar and flour products, as they deplete the body of B vitamins.
Bone broths provide nourishment for ligaments, joints, and the myelin sheath of the nerves, this helps contain the electrical conduction of the nervous systems signals.
The following foods are good in both cases of Kidney Yin or Yang Deficiency as they help to boost the Qi circulation of the kidney meridians. Please consult a Practitioner of TCM and Acupuncture should you have any questions or concerns:
Fish & Seafood: Smoked fish, Oysters, Lobster, Salmon, Shrimp, and Tuna
Meat: Venison and Wild Boar
Lentils
Grains: Oats, Millet, Whole Wheat, and Black Soy Beans
Walnuts and Black Sesame Seeds
Foods for Kidney Yin Deficiency:
Enjoy neutral and cooling foods that add moisture to the body.
When consuming cooked meals, allow the food to cool to a more tepid temperature before eating. Foods cooked over high heat should be avoided.
Meat: Pork and Duck
Fish & Seafood: Oysters, Octopus, Cold Water fish such as Perch and Carp
Fruits: Pears, Watermelons, Melons, Berries, and Grapes
Veggies: Cucumber, Asparagus, Bok Choy, Carrots, and Cabbage
Grains: Barley, Rice, and Whole Wheat
Nuts and Seeds: Black Sesame Seeds and Walnuts
Dairy: Butter, Cream, Sheep and Goat’s Milk
AVOID:Spicy Foods
Food cooked over high heat or in hot oils
Stimulating Beverages: Coffee, Red Wine, too much Black or Green Tea
Foods that Support Kidney Yang:
Consume foods that are moderately hot, warm, or neutral. Avoid foods that cool teh body off such as cucumbers and watermelon.
Fish & Seafood: Oysters, All Smoked Fish (esp. Salmon), Mussels, Shrimp, Tuna
Meat: Venison, Lamb, Wild Boar, Duck, Pork
Veggies: Fennel, Cabbage prepared with warming spices such as coriander, cumin, or chiles; leeks, radish, root veggies, onions
Fruits: Cherries and Grapes
Beverages: Grain Coffee, Spiced Tea
Grains: Buckwheat, Oats, Millet, Rice (all enhanced if roasted before cooking)
Spices: Garlic, Ginger, Black Pepper, Cinnamon
Legumes: Adzuki Beans, Lentils, Black Soy Beans
Nuts and Seeds: Chestnuts, Lotus Seeds, Roasted Black Sesame Seeds, Roasted Walnuts
AVOID:
Cold or frozen foods
raw foods
citrus and tropical fruits
salads
refined sugar
alcohol