Easing Anxiety

Sweaty palms, heart pounding in your chest, that panicked feeling.

We are all familiar with the symptoms of anxiety; we have all experienced them at some point in our lives. However, for one-third of us, these symptoms are severe and persistent, interfering with our ability to function in our daily lives: an actual anxiety disorder.

Traditional treatments for anxiety disorders often include a combination of psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medication. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are effective therapies that can be used in conjunction with traditional treatments or on its own. Scientific studies done on the effects of acupuncture on generalized anxiety disorder show promising results. A 2015 study of patients who were unresponsive to traditional treatments showed that a course of 10 acupuncture treatments over 12 weeks helped significantly reduce anxiety — and the effects lasted 10 weeks after acupuncture treatments were stopped. A 2016 study showed that acupuncture reduced biological markers of anxiety in rats seemingly by impacting how the body triggers its flight or fight response. And a 2017 systematic literature review indicated that acupuncture can also be effective in reducing anxiety levels among women going through infertility treatments. More research is underway.

Chinese medicine recognizes the interconnectedness of our mind, body, and spirit. Certain imbalances in the body (that may be constitutional or may have developed over our lifetime) and certain trigger events will predispose us to issues with anxiety. In care, we seek to get to the root of those imbalances through Chinese medicine modalities and therapeutic lifestyle recommendations.

If you or someone you know is looking for an effective and holistic approach to reducing symptoms of anxiety, please feel free to reach out to us. Acupuncture can address a wide range of emotional health issues. We welcome any questions you may have and look forward to partnering with you to reach your healthcare goals.

[written by Deborah]