Most people have heard of the benefits of acupuncture and its common use for treating and managing pain and stress. But did you know acupuncture can successfully help treat and manage anxiety?
Anxiety can show up in a myriad of ways: whether you’re experiencing daily or occasional overwhelm, stress, heart palpitations, insomnia, full-blown panic attacks, or other unpleasant symptoms related to anxiety – it’s essential to take a good look at where you’re headed, commit to making a change, and then get started on a happier and calmer path.
At Calm San Diego, we specialize in using Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Supplement Therapy, and Lifestyle Coaching to help you put a handle on your anxiety symptoms and gain back control over your life.
Acupuncture and Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most undermanaged and overlooked mental and physical health issues we face and is estimated to affect over 40 million of us each day. So, if you’re feeling on edge, worried, or simply not yourself, please know you are not alone! Sadly, it is also estimated that only 39% of us receive any help, treatment, or care for our anxiety and mental health.
We live our daily lives foggy-headed, sleep-deprived, and mentally exhausted. We find comfort in the very things that increase our anxiety (like social media or junk food), then we miss out on the beautiful, naturally calming moments all around us. To make matters worse, many of us are unclear about our needs and boundaries, which leaves us vulnerable to issues like chronic stress and anxiety.
In this post, we’ll go over what acupuncture is, the science behind it, and how it can help calm your anxiety.
How Acupuncture Can Help with Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are among the most common types of mental illnesses in the United States, with an estimated 30% of the population experiencing an anxiety disorder each year.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic definitely didn’t help matters. In fact, it has made mental health issues for some people even worse. According to a national survey by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), 36% of Americans say that coronavirus has seriously affected their mental health.
Acupuncture has proven to be a natural and holistic solution for preventative or therapeutic purposes when it comes to addressing anxiety. Unlike many other treatment options for anxiety it does not come with any side-effects and it does not focus on just managing the symptoms but instead, focuses on a holistic healing of the body.
Benefit from a Scientifically-Proven Treatment Option
Several studies show that acupuncture can be effective in treating anxiety and stress disorders. According to one study from 2012, acupuncture improved symptoms in people with anxiety that didn’t respond to other treatments.
A more recent study on rats revealed that acupuncture was effective in reducing anxiety. According to researchers, acupuncture affects how the body triggers the fight-or-flight response.
Also, a meta-analysis (compilation of multiple studies) found that acupuncture can reduce anxiety in patients with GAD and has certain beneficial effects compared to controls.
Yet another study, focusing specifically on patients with chronic anxiety showed that acupuncture therapy can be an effective treatment. This is even true for patients who haven’t responded to traditional treatments.
There was another study that showed the effectiveness of acupuncture for anxiety. Students who had a 20-minute acupuncture session had less anxiety and better memory right after than those who didn’t have acupuncture.
So, there’s so much evidence making the case for acupuncture therapy for treating anxiety. But the question is, why does it work so well?
Researchers at Georgetown University may have the answer. Their lab studies demonstrate that acupuncture slows the body’s production of stress hormones. So, the fact that acupuncture is a natural treatment makes it even more amazing.
It has the ability to naturally regulate the body’s chemical balance. As a result, with regular acupuncture treatments, anxiety patients may not need medication at all.
Get Started with Acupuncture at Calm San Diego
Acupuncture can treat a wide range of conditions and symptoms by restoring the body’s energy balance. From reducing pain to treating anxiety and depression, acupuncture has a strong track record for helping patients improve their overall physical and mental health.
Are you looking for a trustworthy acupuncture clinic? Don’t know where to get acupuncture in your area? Try Calm San Diego.
We’re an acupuncture and Chinese medicine clinic with one simple goal: make the world a calmer, happier place with one patient at a time.
Schedule an appointment with us today.
