The important thing to understand is that stress does not create random signs and symptoms—stress will only put pressure on the weaknesses within the body, and these weaknesses, depending on their location, will manifest in very specific ways.
Take the example of a drinking glass:If you drop it, the glass will crack. Stress will apply pressure to these specific cracks or weak points. It affects the already vulnerable areas of the body—whether that’s the nervous system, circulatory system, digestive system, or any organ system that has been compromised by an inherent weakness or dormant disease obstruction.
Stress and Vasoconstriction: A simple physiological effect that effects the movement of blood.
The primary way stress affects the body is through vasoconstriction of the blood vessels. Under normal circumstances, blood vessels maintain a specific diameter, allowing blood to flow freely.
Imagine a blood vessel that circulates warm blood to various parts of the body. When stress causes vasoconstriction, this movement is inhibited, which prevents the body from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs for natural function. Consider how a muscle requires ample blood supply for function and strength, if it is impaired the indications are obvious to both the person and practitioner. The same result occurs with all bodily functions, the body will manifest specific signs and symptoms of impaired blood flow, depending on pre-existing where there are already weak points in the body.
Recently, I have seen several patients in the clinic, where stress was facilitating a variety of symptoms—from abdominal pain, migraines, watery-loose stools, and heart palpitations to tightness in the chest with shortness of breath. These presentations were not random.Stress will only target weaknesses to which are caused from constitutional and/or lifestyle factors, and the body will respond in a very specific, structured, and predictable ways.
A Formula Approach to Stress and its Symptoms
The formula structure Si Ni San (Cold Reversal Powdered Blend) is an easy example to understand that is associated with the consequences of stress-induced blood flow restriction.
“For reversal patterns that present with cold fingers and toes, cough, palpitations, inhibited urination, abdominal pain, watery-loose stools, or rectal heaviness.”
The presentation of cold fingers and toes, abdominal pain, tightness in the chest with shortness of breath, or palpitations—can arise when blood flow is inhibited by the constraint of the blood vessels. This simple four herb prescription counteracts the effects of vasoconstriction, thus improving the circulation of blood to help restore natural function.
Stress and Digestive Issues:Understanding the Connection
A clear example of how stress inhibits natural function can be seen with the digestive system. When blood flow to the small intestine from the heart has become impaired by vasoconstriction of the arterial vessels, the body’s internal core (metabolic temperature) declines. This causes both the gas and fluids levels to cool, leading to the common complaints of abdominal pain, watery stools, or frequent urination. Simply imagine boiling water to create steam and moisture, this is the function of the small intestine: to warm and metabolise foods and fluids to become ‘functional’.
Cold Extremities and Tension: HowStress Affects the Body's Extremes
One of the most noticeable symptoms of stress is the feeling of cold fingers and toes. This is another result of vasoconstriction—the narrowing of blood vessels leading to a decline in circulation to the extremities.
Additionally, tightness in the neck and nape with headaches or migraines are very common because the neck, nape, fingers, and toes are all considered an “extremity”. When blood flow to the neck and nape is impaired, fluids below the surface can no longer warm, which results in pain and discomfort. This is why so many people report chronic neck and nape pain when they’re stressed—there is a direct correlation between the disruption of blood circulation and muscular tension.
Palpitations, Anxiety, and Breathlessness: Stress as a Trigger
Because the heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body, stress can cause the heart to work harder when the blood vessels or piping are contracted and restricted. This happens because the heart is essentially trying to force blood through narrowed vessels. Any time the heart rate increases without exertion and sweating, symptoms like anxiety and eventual palpitations will present, especially when the small intestine is impaired and water that cannot be warmed, resulting in obstructed water to move up below the heart to add even more pressure. This scenario can easily be identified with abdominal examination and splashing in the left upper quadrant below the costal cartilage.
Treating Stress: A StructuredApproach
In Traditional East Asian Medicine, stress is not a condition to be treated with random and vague“calming” or “sedating” herbs. In the examples explained, Si Ni San was the appropriate formula structure for these specific case presentations, but that is not always the situation. One must always reframe from using “go-to” herbs and formula prescriptions and assess the presenting evidence without any prejudice or fixed ideas.
The body always manifests organised signs and symptoms, and the treatment approach must be equally structured.Whether it's the digestive system, the cardiovascular system, or the muscles, stress will affect these areas in specific and predictable ways. Just as stress exacerbates weaknesses in the body, treating stress requires precision and a clear understanding of how the body reacts to it. When blood flow is restored and the body’s natural functions are corrected, any signs or symptoms of stress—like anxiety, digestive discomfort, or palpitations can be easily and effectively treated.
