The current impact of the covid-19 pandemic on our front line workers and the rest of us living in metro melbourne have left us all in a heightened state of awareness. Therefore, at komyuniti we wanted to provide a little tip that could offer some assistance with dealing with the current restrictions.
A recent study, Auricular acupressure reduces anxiety and burnout in behavioural healthcare assessed the use of ear shenmen stimulated with an ear press magnetic pellet. The ear press was replaced each week over a 6 week period.
The researchers found that 60% of the 98 healthcare workers found that they received positive experiences from the acupressure with reported improvements of less stress, better sleep and being more mindful (Olshan, et al 2019).
Acupuncture points within the ear have a shared relationship through the vagus nerve and autonomic nervous system. The vagus nerve has an auricular branch also commonly known as Arnold’s nerve. Stimulating the nerves via the ear regulates the parasympathetic nervous system, the rest and digest mechanism of the nervous system. Which also can control the fight or flight response to assist with our mental well being (Brieit et al, 2018).
Massaging the ear shenmen point several times and minutes during the day may provide calmness. If you do find this measure effective then making an appointment for acupuncture treatment and a press pallet to assist your mental wellness during these restrictive and isolating times could be the natural approach to get you back on track.
Written by Daniel Ooi
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References
Olshan-Perlmutter M , Carter K & Marx J. Auricular acupressure reduces anxiety and burnout in behavioural healthcare. Applied Nursing Research 2019 49 57-53.
Breit S , Kupferberg, Rogler, G and Halser G, Vagus Nerve as Modulator of the Brain–Gut Axis in Psychiatric and Inflammatory Disorders , Frontiers in Psychiatry 2018; 9: 44
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