Acupuncture and Anxiety – The Facts
If you suffer from anxiety, you’re not alone. Anxiety disorders affect more than 40 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States. Managing severe anxiety can be difficult. A combination of therapy and medication is the most common treatment option. However, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, it can be months before therapy begins to produce results. Medication can also have serious side effects, leaving many searching for an effective alternative option for managing their anxiety.
Learn How Acupuncture Relieves Anxiety
Did you know that acupuncture may be able to help treat anxiety? In fact, acupuncture may be able to resolve anxiety symptoms by attacking the root of the problem. Here’s what you need to know:
#1: Acupuncture helps restore balance to the “qi” – our body’s life force.
According to the Ancient Chinese, the qi is a life force that moves through the body via pathways call meridians. Injuries, stress, poor nutrition or other environmental changes can lead to blockages along these meridians that impact the qi’s ability to flow freely through the body. The Ancient Chinese believed that inserting thin needles into the body at specific pressure points relieved these blockages, restoring balance. Today, modern scientists and health practitioners think of the “qi” as a metaphor for metabolic function and the nervous system; acupuncture helps to kick-start this system.
#2: Acupuncture helps relieve anxiety and stress.
Research studies suggest that acupuncture works by helping a patient’s body take back control after a stressful response is triggered. In our high-paced, modern world, we’re constantly under pressure and stress to perform, which can lead to numerous health issues. Acupuncture slows the body’s production of stress hormones while releasing feel-good endorphins.
#3: Acupuncture can help treat panic disorder, PTSD and more.
In addition to treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), acupuncture may also be beneficial in the treatment of panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and social anxiety disorder.
Want to learn more about acupuncture and anxiety? Post a question below for our acupuncturist below or schedule an appointment today.
