Pacific College Celebrates National Nurses Week With Free Acupuncture Treatments 

National Nurses Week officially observed May 6 - 12, 2005 provides an opportunity to celebrate the nursing profession and acknowledge the tireless efforts of these vital health care workers. Pacific College recognizes nurses, and encourages them to spend this time focusing on their own health, by offering a free acupuncture treatment to first time patients during this week, on a space available basis.

Over 2.5 million registered nurses make up the backbone of the U.S. medical industry, and are faced with an overwhelming amount of on the job stress. The stress that nurses encounter can be felt on a daily basis and can potentially cause serious health problems.

Stress is a physical and psychological response to perceived demands and pressures, which cause the body to generate distress signals. Increased blood pressure and cortisol levels, as well as lowered immune system function, result when stress begins to affect the body. The symptoms often worsen to become depression, fatigue, tension headaches, stomachaches, hypertension, migraines, ulcers, heart attacks, or colitis. Eventually, stress can lead to even more serious health problems, such as cancer, diabetes or thyroid dysfunction.

The Chinese medical view of stress is that excessive emotional stimulation or suppression sets up an imbalance of the basic life force energy, or Qi, thereby injuring the body and producing disease. Chinese acupuncture and massage, as well as Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises, can alleviate stress symptoms by releasing endorphins, the body's own natural painkillers, and improving the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids, which brings fresh oxygen to body tissues. This increased oxygen flow eliminates waste products from inside the body and enhances recovery from diseases. Chinese medicine also decreases the stress hormone cortisol, lowers blood pressure, reduces heart rate, and relaxes muscle tissue.

For nurses and other individuals who need to relieve stress in their lives, acupuncture can prove to be a beneficial treatment. For more information on National Nurses Day or to make an appointment, please call Pacific College at (619) 574-6932.

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