Anxiety and stress lead the way as prevalent challenges people face in our fast-moving modern life. Generalized anxiety disorders affect billions of people around the globe. Treatment for these issues usually involves drugs or therapy. Recently, people have shown interest in the unconventional treatment of acupuncture. In this traditional Chinese remedy, practitioners insert thin needles at precise spots on the body. This is done by a licensed acupuncturist. Evidence shows acupuncture holds promise in reducing anxiety and stress levels and improving our mental health. Let’s look deeper into acupuncture for anxiety and the benefits associated with it.

How Acupuncture Can Help with Anxiety and Stress Relief

Role of Acupuncture in the Reduction of Anxiety and Stress

Balancing Hormones and Neurotransmitters

Acupuncture is an effective method to help reduce stress and anxiety by affecting the body’s hormones and neurotransmitters. It stimulates the nervous system, releasing endorphins in the brain and body that ease pain perception. It’s these changes that relieve symptoms of anxiety and stress and elevate mood in the human body. Acupuncture can help with chronic pain and regulate the immune system.

Acupuncture can balance levels of the stress hormone cortisol. High cortisol causes symptoms of anxiety and stress. Acupuncture promotes hormonal balance and stimulates feelings of peace, calmness, and serenity.

Relaxation Increasing and Tension Reduction

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) aims to restore balance and harmony in the body. Some describe acupuncture treatment as soothing. Lying still and experiencing the minimal stimulus of the acupuncture needles puts the body in a relaxed state. The relaxation response of the autonomic nervous system includes:

• Decreases blood pressure
• Slows down heart rate
• Relaxes muscle tension

The effectiveness of acupuncture leads to a reduced state of anxiety and stress.

Quality of Sleep

Poor sleep quality caused by anxiety and stress can lead to a condition known as insomnia. Acupuncture helps regulate the sleep and wake cycle (circadian rhythm) of the body, improving sleep quality. Improved sleep dramatically reduces anxiety and stress. In effect significantly enhances our mental state.

Several patients state that acupuncture significantly shortened the time needed to fall asleep (sleep latency). This allowed them to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer while waking less in the night.

Implications of Acupuncture on Mental Health

Personalized Treatment

Individualized treatment plans are one of the best healing aspects of acupuncture therapy sessions. Seasoned practitioners check each patient’s medical history to ensure comprehensive treatment plans catering to the person’s individual needs.

Complementary to Other Treatments

Acupuncture can be integrated into standard care protocols for treating anxiety disorders, stress, and panic attacks. It combines acupuncture with medication and psychotherapy. It aids the efficacy of these treatments, improving physical symptoms and well-being.

Many patients receiving acupuncture under a multidisciplinary approach say it feels more complete. Also, longer-lasting than conventional treatment methods.

Few Side Effects

Acupuncture has few side effects. The most common side effects of treatment are slight bruising or soreness at needle insertion sites. This makes acupuncture appealing to those who want a natural drug-free treatment plan.

Doctors use medications like benzodiazepines to treat disorders that include anxiety and can cause many side effects.

What are People Saying About Their Acupuncture Experience?

Many people resort to acupuncture for relief from disorders including stress and anxiety. It’s effective in:

• Promoting muscle relaxation
• Reducing symptoms
• Enhancing quality of life

Acupuncture patients often feel more balanced, less overwhelmed, and better able to handle stress after treatment.

Southlake Natural Family Wellness

Our mission is to support the health and well-being of our patients.

We offer individualized, comprehensive holistic care including acupuncture, herbal recommendations, customized nutritional counseling, allergy elimination (NAET), whole food supplements, lifestyle suggestions, moxibustion, and cupping. As well as helping couples get pregnant and STAY pregnant by supporting all the paths to conception.

About Farrah Hamraie

Farrah Hamraie, L.Ac, MOM, Dipl.OM (NCCAOM), is licensed and board-certified in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine in the State of Texas with a Masters of Oriental Medicine from the Dallas College of Oriental Medicine.

She is also a Diplomat of NCCAOM (the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), a Board Certified Acupuncturist, a Chinese Herbalist, and a member of the American Association of Oriental Medicine.