The Cascade of Physiological Issues from Chronic Sympathetic Dominance

 Now that we have explored the basics of Yin and Yang balance as reflective of the Autonomic Nervous System's function, we are better positioned to understand the fight-flight mechanism within the TCM framework. In this context, the fight or flight response can be viewed as a condition that arises when there is a significant disruption in this delicate balance. Such disruptions overwhelm the ANS, tipping the scales away from harmony and leading to the profound physiological and psychological changes observed in chronic stress responses. This TCM perspective allows us to conceptualize trauma not just as an emotional or psychological event, but as a systemic physiological condition that challenges the body's innate capacities for regulation and balance.  

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the fight or flight response is seen through the lens of Qi and Blood mobilization to prepare the body for immediate action. When an individual faces acute stress, Qi and Blood are directed towards large skeletal muscles, aligning with the Yang channels, which are associated with activity and movement. This redirection supports rapid muscular response but often leads to patterns of spasticity and tension that are visibly manifested in the fascia. Over time, if these patterns remain unresolved, the persistent strain can lead to a solidification of energy in the Yang pathways, creating indurations within the fascia and affecting the secondary luo vessels. This diversion of normal Qi and Blood flow not only depletes the local cells of essential nutrients but also contributes to a state where spasticity becomes chronic, further spilling into the Yin secondary vessels. This process can result in what is known as 'phlegm misting the mind,' a condition where the clarity of mental processes is clouded.

Additionally, the retained fight or flight reflexes hinder the normal function of the descending Vagus efferents, which signal the body to relax and disengage from stress responses. This disruption leads to a chronic state of readiness, characterized by muscle tightness, emotional reactivity and limited mobility, profoundly affecting the overall balance of the autonomic nervous system, including the limbic, enteric, and vestibular systems. The prolonged exposure to high stress levels can severely impact digestion and immune function, laying the groundwork for various autoimmune and allergic reactions. It's essential to recognize that trauma, in this context, refers to any experience that overwhelms the buffering capacity of the ANS, leading to prolonged dysfunction and a cascade of physiological and psychological challenges.

·         Mobilization for Flight: In both adults and children, retained reflexes mobilize qi and blood into the large skeletal motor muscles to prepare for flight. These large skeletal muscles correspond to the Yang channels in the body.

·         Brain's Response to Unresolved Stress: When left unresolved, the brain will first diminish the afferent pathways and then ignore them altogether to move out of the fight-flight-freeze state.

·         Solidification of Energy in Yang Pathways: The energy held in the Yang pathways becomes more solid, creating indurations and spasticity directly in the fascia, spilling into the secondary luo vessels, which are objectively observable.

·         Deprivation of Local Cells from Nutrients: Once qi and blood flow outside the normal vessels (into the fascia), the local cells are chronically deprived of nutrients for growth and repair, and this spasticity accumulates and solidifies in the yin secondary vessels, leading to the "phlegm misting the mind."

·          Predictable Deviations in Qi and Blood Flow: A body in a state of high stress or chronic fight-or-flight response shows predictable, spastic, and marked deviation from normal qi and blood flow in the long chain and postural muscle groups.

·         Nutrient Restriction in Muscle Pathways: Chronically retained reflexes also restrict the proper flow of blood, nutrients, and oxygen into certain muscle pathways, leaving non-skeletal muscles deprived of nourishment.

·          Observation of Spasticity: Strong patterns of spasticity are observed directly in the fascia and often do not resolve with appropriate treatment.

·         Long-Term Health Issues in Trauma Survivors: Adult survivors of childhood trauma exhibit long-term issues of malabsorption, middle jiao deficiencies, and autoimmunity that appear to be due to long-term inhibition of the enteric nervous system and involution of the thymus.

·         Brain's Response to Unresolved Stress: When left unresolved, the brain will first diminish the afferent pathways and then ignore them altogether to move out of the fight-flight-freeze state.

·         Solidification of Energy in Yang Pathways: The energy held in the Yang pathways becomes more solid, creating indurations and spasticity directly in the fascia, spilling into the secondary luo vessels, which are objectively observable.

·         Deprivation of Local Cells from Nutrients: Once qi and blood flow outside the normal vessels (into the fascia), the local cells are chronically deprived of nutrients for growth and repair, and this spasticity accumulates and solidifies in the yin secondary vessels, leading to the "phlegm misting the mind."

·         Blocking of Vagus Efferents by Primitive Reflexes: Active primitive reflexes block the descending Vagus efferents (relaxation signals) from the brain stem, causing the muscles to remain tight and engaged.

·         Conflicting Commands Creating Tightness: Over time, conflicting commands from the brain stem create tightness, rigidity, and diminished range of motion.

·         Distortion of the Autonomic Nervous System: This sustained sympathetic charge further distorts all aspects of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), including the limbic, enteric, and vestibular systems.

·         Stress Hormones Narrowing Perception: High circulating stress hormones flood the emotional portion of the brain, narrowing our perception to focus only on what is most necessary for survival. Instead of a relaxed, trusting state, our world becomes a hostile, dangerous place, with danger and suspicions lurking around every corner.

·         Digestive and Autoimmune Implications: High stress diminishes digestion (the enteric) and is the basis for many autoimmune and food allergies treated in our medicine.

·         Disruption in Vestibular System Movement: Chronically retained reflexes prevent the moment-to-moment flexion-extension coordination needed in the vestibular system for smooth and balanced movement.

·         Chronic Physical Consequences: Over time, this leads to chronic muscle tension, inflexibility, and postural issues associated with aging.