Rapid technological advancements coupled with an increasingly globalized economy have made today's workplace more efficient and interconnected. But the burden to continue this 24-hour nonstop environment has extended the work day and led to a faster pace of business that is taking its toll on employees and fueling a stress epidemic. Employers who recognize the impact that work-related stress has on their business and provide employees with necessary resources to reduce stress levels can create healthier, happier employees and in turn, a more productive workplace.

Of course, stress is a factor in everyone's life and can sometimes even serve to stimulate creativity. The natural pattern of human behavior is to experience a stress-causing event or situation, react to it with increased tension and then return to a normal, relaxed state. The problem occurs when stress is so overwhelming or constant that this pattern is broken. When stress is extreme, or if it lasts a long time, emotional health and, ultimately, physical health begin to suffer. Over time, these symptoms become worse and can develop into anxiety, depression, fatigue, digestive problems and tension headaches.

And while the physical effects should not be minimized, the economic consequences should also be cause for alarm among business owners and executive management. According to the American Institute of Stress, job-related stress brings with it an annual price tag for U.S. businesses of more than $300 billion annually due to increased absenteeism; employee turnover; diminished productivity; medical, legal and insurance expenses; and Workers' Compensation payments.

Acupuncture is a proven method recognized by the World Health Organization to treat a number of stress-related ailments. Thanks to its wide acceptance by traditional Western medicine, it is covered by most insurance providers, with little or no cost to the insured. Additionally, many alternative treatment centers offer on-site consultation services and customized treatment programs for businesses that want to maximize work performance and mitigate the negative impacts of occupational stress.

In Chinese medical thought, stress, anxiety, depression or any strong emotion interrupts the smooth flow of energy throughout the body. Through acupuncture, these energy blockages can be addressed and help energy flow smoothly to alleviate not only the symptoms of stress and anxiety, but the stress and anxiety itself. From a Western viewpoint, acupuncture improves circulation of blood throughout the body, which oxygenates the tissues and cycles out cortisol and other waste chemicals. The calming nature of acupuncture also decreases heart rate, lowers blood pressure and relaxes the muscles.

An efficient and productive workplace is impossible to sustain without addressing solutions to combat employee occupational stress. Forward-thinking employers who incorporate ways to reduce stress indicators among employees will be better positioned to cultivate a talented and dedicated workforce, build their business and stay ahead of the competition.

Steven Chasens is the lead certified acupuncturist at Coral Gables Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. He is a member of the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists, the National Commission for the Certification of Chinese Herbology, the American Association of Oriental Medicine and the Florida State Oriental Medical Association.

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