Acupuncture for Anxiety
By Dr. Syed Afzal / DR TCM
From everyday stresses to the most challenging moments life can bring, most people will experience occasional anxiety.
However, when an person experiences a continual state of anxiety, this can cause a serious imbalance of the nervous system which may have potential health risks and should be addressed.
An anxiety disorder makes it difficult to get through the day to day and can be characterised by persistent worry and overwhelming fear. Anxiety episodes are often intense and come on rapidly and they may be accompanied by sweating, rapid heartbeat and rapid breathing. Other physical symptoms may include dizziness, shaking and nausea, as well as, an overall feeling of unsafety.
Anxiety and depression are the two most common mood disorders, and about one-third of patients do not respond to traditional interventions, such as medication and psychotherapy. As a result, many people seek alternative ways of treating their mood disorders, including practices from Eastern medicine.
Acupuncture is a healing system that originated thousands of years ago from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This practice is based on the concept that medical conditions and mental health disorders are caused by an imbalance in the energy flow of the body.
After thorough diagnosis, the acupuncturist will then seek to restore the imbalance of energy by inserting fine, sterile, single use needles into the acupuncture points on the body correlating to specific organs. When needles are inserted into sensory nerves just below the skin’s surface, the body stimulates a response in the immune system, which increases circulation to that area of the body and triggers the release of endorphins.
Acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain. However, it has been proven to be highly effective in treating anxiety and stress, by helping the body to release more “feel-good” hormones such as dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. Acupuncture can also help reduce the levels of the stress hormones, such as cortisol.
When these hormones are in abundance, a person feels more energy, a greater sense of well being and balance. Acupuncture can bring a deeper state of relaxation, a more balanced mood, improved digestion and healthier sleep habits.
