How Acupuncture for Anxiety Works

Many consider acupuncture to be alternative medicine or therapy, and so far the research has been mixed as to whether or not it can make a real and lasting difference. But despite acupuncture having its critics, there is also a fair share of studies claiming acupuncture does help to control pain and other issues such as anxiety. Below, we're going to look at how acupuncture for anxiety actually works, and the benefits of treating your anxiety this way.

How Does Acupuncture for Anxiety Work?

According to eastern medicine, the free flow and internal balance of energy - known as 'Qi' - is seen as vital to good health. However, this balance and flow can easily be affected by outside factors and intense situations, regardless of whether they are physical, mental, emotional or spiritual.

A professional acupuncturist understands that anxiety affects everyone differently, as every individual has different issues, personalities, and needs - they work to understand those needs, and use acupuncture to carefully place sterilized needles at very specific points in your body, in order to restore balance to your Qi.

The trick is to make sense of all the symptoms you're experiencing in your daily life, and understand your unique energies so the correct techniques can be used to restore balance within you and reduce anxiety symptoms.

The end result is a very safe and potentially very effective cure for anxiety, and the effects can be felt almost immediately.

A typical treatment can involve:

• Acupuncture needles and moxibustion
• A warming herb
• Tui na (a traditional form of Chinese massage)
• Addressing issues such as diet, exercise patterns and lifestyle choice

The Benefits of Acupuncture for Treating Anxiety

So, you may be wondering why so many people are choosing acupuncture to treat their anxiety. There are three main benefits that our patients find appealing:

1. It's an immediate treatment that is often accompanied by straightforward relief
2. There's a reduced risk of reinforcement (a big issue for those with anxiety)
3. It can also help to treat other issues contributing to anxiety

Immediate Treatment

The results of acupuncture are usually fairly immediate, so whilst not everyone experiences full relief from their anxiety straight away after treatment, they usually find their feelings of anxiety are greatly diminished upon leaving their session.

So, if acupuncture works for you, you may save a lot of time you'd otherwise spend on longer-term treatments that require you to work on your anxiety over a matter of weeks or even months. This is particularly beneficial if your anxiety is more severe and stops you from performing daily activities.

Reduced Risk of Reinforcement

Reinforcement can be an another issue for those dealing with anxiety, especially if you also suffer from panic attacks. For instance, you may find yourself so worried about getting another panic attack, you actually end up having one, resulting in a seemingly never-ending cycle of reinforcement.

Acupuncture can help to reduce this type of thought process and break the reinforcement pattern, so you will be less likely to experience repeat anxieties.

Treating Other Issues

You may think your anxiety isn't connected to other conditions, but 9 times out of 10, it doesn't materialize out of nowhere. Usually it's brought on by other conditions and outside stresses in your life, and sometimes these issues can also make your anxiety even worse.

Acupuncture should help treat any other conditions as well, so that you can get on with your daily routine.

To learn more, or to book your free consultation, contact us today!