Treating Anxiety with Acupuncture

Over 25 million Americans suffer from anxiety, including nearly 1 in 5 adults. With such a high prevalence among the general population, it may be surprising to know that what most people who don’t have anxiety think of as anxiety typically isn’t accurate. Most people assume anxiety is a feeling of nervousness or restlessness. While this may be true is some cases, for the majority of people who experience this disorder, it’s a lot more complicated.

While a sense of nervousness or noticeable jitters prior to — for example — public speaking or having to turn in an important report to the CEO of your company, can be considered a completely normal response, clinical anxiety, on the other hand, manifests seemingly out of thin air. There could be no discernible rhyme or reason to feel like the body has kicked into high alert, with the Central Nervous System shifting into sympathetic mode (“fight or flight”), and yet it happens. Anxiety can be considered a debilitating disorder, in that the sensations associated with it are often described as being “overwhelming.” Persistent thoughts may spiral into intrusive rumination that eventually interferes with everyday functioning. Intense anxiety can lead to absences from school or work, distancing from friend and family, and eventually, through the self-isolation many people with anxiety seek as a coping mechanism, depression.

There are certain studies that suggest that the propensity to experience anxiety may be, at least in part, genetic. Many people who complain of anxiety mention Anxiety disorders tend to run in families, leading researchers to suspect a genetic link. Traumatic and stressful events may act as “triggers” for an anxiety attack, especially for those who are genetically predisposed. Post-traumatic stress syndrome is just one type of anxiety disorder.

Along with the negative mental effects associated with anxiety, chronic anxiety can elevate a person’s chances risk of developing other health problems. Anxiety is closely linked to depression, as the two emotions tend to feed off of each other in a negative spiral which tends to repeat itself. Diabetes, heart disease and respiratory diseases have all been linked to anxiety, as the presence of one may facilitate the development of the other. Gastrointestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) have also been linked to chronic anxiety issues. Furthermore, the longer a person suffers from anxiety, the higher the likelihood of developing a substance abuse issue, as studies have shown those with chronic anxiety tend to turn towards drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. A while women are twice as likely as men to develop an anxiety disorder, people of all types and ages can experience anxiety.

The good news is that there are several treatments and therapies for anxiety that have shown to be highly effective at either minimizing the chronicity or alleviating the disorder altogether. Acupuncture, with treatments occurring at least once per week for four or more weeks, has an excellent track record of decreasing feelings of anxiety and depression. Traditional Chinese Medicine may also employ herbal formulas to make acupuncture treatments even more powerful. Exercises such as jogging, hiking, yoga, Qi Gong, or even a walk around the block has been found to be effective for some people. Exposure to nature and spending time in green spaces also has a positive effect on the parasympathetic nervous system, which can combat the tendencies to move into an anxiety attack. Deep breathing exercises and meditation can diminish the tendency to feel anxiety about the future. And cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy, has been found to be particularly effective in forming new ways of thinking and reacting to emotional stimuli.

Whatever method or methods a person chooses to address their anxiety, lasting results come from dedication to treatments. With acupuncture in particular, avoid the tendency to cease treatments after one or two sessions because the results haven’t come fast enough. With gentler therapies such as acupuncture (as compared to harsher therapies such as pharmaceuticals), it may take time to experience noticeable change. Staying with a treatment method for at least a few weeks (if not a few months) is essential to maintaining positive developments.

If you or someone you know is suffering from anxiety, know that there are ways to change. Talk to your health practitioner today about how they can help!