Can Acupuncture Treat Anxiety?

Anxiety disorders are one of the world’s most common mental health problems. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, an estimated 40 million adults in the United States will develop an anxiety condition over their lifetime.

Traditional anxiety treatment consists of seeing a therapist and anti-anxiety medications. While these are useful for many people, a rising number of people suffering from anxiety are looking for natural therapy methods, such as acupuncture.

What Is Anxiety?

Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives — it’s a natural reaction to stress. In other cases, anxiety can be advantageous since it triggers the fight or flight response. This allows you to prepare and pay closer attention to what’s going on around you.

An anxiety disorder differs from anxiety-inducing events in that worried feelings are constant and recurring for persons affected. Feelings of anxiety are out of proportion to the situation, making it difficult and, in some situations, impossible to operate normally.

This can have a significant societal, economic, and personal cost, resulting in everything from absenteeism from work or school to lower productivity and severe strain on relationships. Anxiety can lead to hospitalization, substance misuse, or suicide in more acute cases.

Anxiety has an effect on the neurological system, blood pressure, and the stomach, as well as sleep and food. One or more of these symptoms can be exhausting and have a significant influence on one’s quality of life. Severe anxiety is frequently accompanied by social anxiety, which has a completely different impact on one’s life. It has an impact on our mind, body, and spirit.

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric condition, affecting over 15 million adults each year in the US alone. According to the American Psychiatric Association, on average, women are more susceptible to suffer from anxiety disorders than men.

Types of Anxiety

There is no single factor that indicates whether or not a person will develop anxiety disorders. Scientists believe it’s the result of a mix of hereditary and environmental factors. Anxiety disorders come in a in many different forms, including:

• Generalized anxiety disorder.
• Panic disorder.
• Unique phobias. Like fear of sharks or flying.
• Social anxiety disorder.
• Separation anxiety disorder.

The good news is that anxiety disorders can be managed, but only a little over a third seek help from a professional.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture has grown in popularity in the United States over the last 40 years, becoming one of the most common alternative medicine treatments. According to a study published in the journal, Psychosomatics, roughly a third of all persons with anxiety issues use alternative therapies like acupuncture, massage, or relaxation techniques.

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that entails the insertion of sterile, very thin needles into the skin at certain pressure points. This regulates the flow of energy, also known as chi or qi, via the body’s pathways or meridians. The energy flow is rebalanced by inserting needles at certain spots along these routes.

Some people are turned off by the concept of needles being pushed into their skin; however, it is done with a light touch and you should barely feel it. The needles aren’t implanted deep enough in the skin to cause a person to bleed. Acupuncture needles are classified by the Food and Drug Administration as medical devices that should only be used by board-certified, trained practitioners.

Potential side effects are minimal, and rare but may include:

• Fatigue.
• Mild bruising.
• Soreness.
• Lightheadedness.

If you notice any adverse effects after starting acupuncture therapy, speak with your doctor.

In our 20 years of practicing Acupuncture, we have yet to see a bad side effect. It is one of the safest forms of natural treatment.

How Effective Is Acupuncture For Anxiety Treatment?

An increasing body of research supports acupuncture’s overall health advantages. Acupuncture is used to treat a variety of ailments, including those listed below:

• Chronic pain.
• Headaches.
• Parkinson’s disease.
• Type 2 diabetes.

Acupuncture is typically used to treat pain, but more and more research is being done on how it might help with overall wellness, such as anxiety and stress management. Acupuncture increases the body’s natural feel-good chemicals while lowering stress hormones like cortisol, making it a potentially useful tool.

Dr. Jocelyne Eberstein of eCenter Wellness in Boca Raton, FL, is a competent and well educated Chinese medicine and acupuncture practitioner. Patients suffering from shoulder pain can get natural relief. 

If you are interested in seeking a natural solution, Jocelyne Eberstein and eCenter Wellness would love to give you the anxiety help you deserve. If you are located in the Boca Raton, FL or Los Angeles, CA areas, contact us today to set up your consultation!