Did you know that May is National Mental Health Awareness Month? There is increasing public awareness around many mental health conditions and ways they can be helped. Acupuncture has a long history of being used to treat mental health conditions. Current research has demonstrated that anxiety, one very common mental health concern, can benefit from acupuncture.
Johns Hopkins Medicine defines general anxiety disorder as “a condition of excessive worry about everyday issues and situations” that lasts longer than six months [reference]. In addition to the mental stress and worry that accompany anxiety, physical symptoms may include:
Muscle tension
Cold hands and feet
Nausea
Restlessness
Gastrointestinal discomfort or diarrhea
Irritation
Tiredness
Insomnia
Acupuncture is wonderful for reducing anxiety. Acupuncture helps regulate the autonomic nervous system and can help take the body out of “fight or flight mode”.
Some of the ways Acupuncture works on the body:
Regulates the autonomic nervous system and reduces elevated heart rate [reference]
Lowers cortisol levels [reference]
Increases endorphins and regulates serotonin (which impacts mood and sleep, among other things) [reference]
There has been a lot of research illuminating the benefits of acupuncture for anxiety. A systematic review from 2018 found that “Overall, there is good scientific evidence encouraging acupuncture therapy to treat anxiety disorders as it yields effective outcomes, with fewer side effects than conventional treatment” [reference].
In East Asian Medicine when we treat anxiety we determine if the anxiety is stemming from a stagnation of qi or a deficiency in the body.
Ongoing emotional stress can result in qi stagnation, which can over time can lead to anxiety. This type of anxiety responds well to physical activity and exercise, which helps move the qi of the body and resolves stagnation.
Anxiety can also be caused by an underlying deficiency which can be attributed to overwork, lack of rest, a loss of blood from childbirth or heavy menstrual cycles, or irregular diet. This type of anxiety responds well to nourishing the body with a healthy diet, rest, and meditation.
The wonderful thing about acupuncture is that it helps to both move the qi in the body while also nourishing and rejuvenating the body.
Most patients are surprised at how relaxing acupuncture feels, and many patients even fall asleep on the table. We love hearing how refreshed, calm and relaxed our patients feel after acupuncture.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, we’re here to help you.