Example: Chronic Stress

When you think about potential sources of stress, what comes to mind? Possibly you may get images of feeling overwhelmed by work demands, family and caregiving responsibilities, or financial uncertainty.  Do you also think about your exposure to environmental pollutants or to foods that you are sensitive or intolerant to, or the bright light exposure from your phone or laptop? You may not think of this latter group, but these are also potential stressors.

Stress is the experience of being under tension or strain.  This tension can be from an emotional and interpersonal source or it might be from a less apparent physiologic source. There is little difference in how our biology responds to these emotional or biological stressors.

Some potential sources of physiologic stressors include:

• Eating foods to which we are allergic or intolerant 

• Environmental toxin exposures

• Insufficient sleep

• Insufficient fluid intake

• Evening bright light exposure which can alter stress hormone levels and responses

It is worth noting that there is usually an interplay between emotional and physiological stressors. For instance, when dealing with relationship stress we may be drawn to eat certain foods that may be more poorly tolerated.  When we have days that are busy with too many demands, we may find it difficult to stay hydrated, stay up late on screens in an effort to unwind and have difficulty falling asleep.  

Chronic stress has a significant impact on our health and well-being over the long term. In the short-term, our stress response is designed to be adaptive. It helps us respond appropriately in the moment to some potential threat. Many of the threats we face today though, are ongoing and often existential [which is not to deny that some of us may also face ongoing stressors to our physical and emotional health and safety from threats of violence, lack of financial resources etc]. In all aspects of chronic stress, there is a mismatch between our biology, designed to respond to short-term episodic stressors and our world of ongoing chronic stressors.

What makes the approach of Sankofa Healing Arts different?

Functional Medicine practiced with intention.  Sankofa Healing Arts offers a variety of tools that can support individuals and communities in their path to improved health and well-being.  Functional Medicine is an approach that takes a systems-oriented approach to address the root causes of illness. Part of the power of the Functional Medicine approach is the broad lens it applies to health concerns.  

In the case of evaluating sources of stress, using a Functional Medicine lens can help inform a more comprehensive understanding of the potential contributing factors. This is an important step in evaluation. It can also help bring compassion for all of the ways that our beloved bodies are working to maintain balance. The Functional Medicine approach can include the use of  advanced laboratory testing such as detailed hormone analyses, assessments for environmental toxin exposures and food sensitivities. When used judiciously this testing may aid in clarifying diagnoses and potential contributors to a health condition.  

It is also important to note that more testing is not always better. We use these tools intentionally and with an emphasis on how they will change or improve the process of care. 

Adjunctive therapies to support the body’s energetic and self-healing capacity. We also integrate the modalities of Craniosacral Therapy and Acupuncture into our care.  Both of which can be powerful tools that help individuals to re-establish balance and harness their body’s own innate wisdom and healing potential. These are supportive in the setting of chronic stress as well as many other conditions. 

Supporting those we work with in developing their tools of personal discernment. There is also another tool that we ALL have access to and that does not cost anything to employ - our body’s felt sense. 

One way to pick up on  the messages that our body is giving us all the time is to get comfortable, confident and trusting in the messages and communication that our body is offering. This non-verbal form of embodied communication can be practiced and refined. Doing so, allows individuals to become more aware in real time of what choices they need to make to support their health and well-being.  Our approach incorporates practices to help build skills and confidence in deciphering these messages. When we hear the signals our body is telling us, we can intervene sooner and that can make all the difference between minor symptoms of imbalance progressing into something more serious.

Sustainability. Part of creating the world in which we want to live is being mindful and intentional in how we utilize our resources - our financial resources, our time and attention. In all aspects of our work, Sankofa Healing Arts is focused on sustainability. This informs our work including providing treatment recommendations that are created collaboratively with our clients with an emphasis on what is doable and impactful for their lives. Our plans are not one size fits all. Treatment plans and recommendations should not be so complex and burdensome or financially unsustainable that they become yet another source of stress. 

Does this approach resonate with you?  Interested in working together. Join our mailing list and be sure to get practice updates.