Stress is defined as any mental or bodily tension resulting from factors which tend to alter equilibrium. Chronic stress can lead to distress, defined as pain, anxiety, physical or mental suffering, which is often diagnosed as a medical or psychiatric disorder. Most people vaguely realize that chronic stress is harmful, but they may not be able to identify what it is until distress arises, and even then the relationship to stress is often not clear.
Everyone living in the modern world has too much stress, and some have symptoms of distress. It is important to make an informed diagnosis of the stress-related causes at the root of your distress and suggest healing interventions.
Below are 12 kinds of chronic stress:
- Emotional stress (losses, post-traumatic)
- Cognitive stress (irrational demands)
- Sensory stress (chronic pain disorders)
- Metabolic stress (high/low blood sugar)
- Toxic stress (heavy metals, chlorine)
- Immune stress (autoimmune, allergy)
- Infectious stress (Lyme disease, candida, GI)
- Purposefulness stress (no spirituality)
- Endocrine stress ( hormonal, PMS, aging)
- Oxidative stress (vein/arterial blockage)
- Energetic stress (electromagnetic)
- Neurotransmitter stress (decreased serotonin)
Stress can cause or worsen the following problems:
ADHD, Addiction, Adrenal exhaustion, Anger, Anxiety, Backache, Cancer, Clotting problems, Depersonalization, Depression, Eating Disorders, Fatigue, Gastrointestinal Problems, Headache, Heart arrythmias AMI, Heart disease, Immune injury, Insomnia, Nausea, Panic Disorder, Ulcer, and the Worsening of all medical and psychiatric disorders.
For more detailed information, download Dr. Gant's paper "Dysautonomia, 12 Stressors behind the Toxic Load"
Comprehensive Diagnostic Testing
Excellent treatments for chronic stress are available, but one should first diagnose the root cause so that the best treatments can be chosen. The old saying, "if you don't test, you've guessed," is still true. Comprehensive laboratory diagnostic tests for food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, toxicities, and/or neurotransmitter or hormonal imbalances and possibly even genetic testing can be done to determine which of the the 12 kinds of chronic stress are at the root of you problems and symptoms. Armed with that information, recommendations will be provided to begin the process of alleviating stress. Only then can your body and brain return to its state of equilibrium, where it prefers to be.
Integrative Medicine Therapies to Reduce Stress
Neurological stress and distress therapies- for stroke, dementia, aging
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy- and meditation instruction, very helpful for emotional stress, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, ADHD
Chronic pain therapies- endorphin restoration, prolotherapy, acupuncture, massage, craniosacral therapy
Nutritional therapies for metabolic stress, thyroid, adrenal, hormonal or endocrine imbalances
Detoxification for toxic stress from heavy metals, chlorine- oral, transdermal and IV chelation, colon hydrotherapy, and dental work
Chronic infectious stress from lyme, candida, sinus, GI- integrative treatment with antibiotics (if needed), herbal remedies, homeopathic treatments and nutritional restoration
Oxidative stress therapies- heart scan diagnostic assessment, hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Immune stress including allergy treatment and autoimmune disorders
Alcohol, tobacco, prescription and illicit drug abuse therapies- In depth testing can sort through deficiencies to resupply nutrients required to restore those deficiencies, used as adjunctive treatment to peer support and group treatment.
PRACTITIONERS
Charles Gant M.D., Ph.D
Bruce Rind, M.D.
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Paul V. Beals M.D., C.C.N.
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Charlene Kannankeril, N.D.
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Dr. Ralph Wilson N.D., M.S.
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Chronic Pain, Wellness and Craniosacral Therapy by Dr. Wilson
