Anxiety Reduction with Acupuncture

I have been a licensed doctor of holistic medicine and acupuncture for approximately 25 years, and stress and anxiety reduction are among my specialties. I also coordinate a team of healthcare experts that involve mental health counseling, hypnotherapy, and various forms of therapeutic massage, any of which can also be instrumental in regards to anxiety reduction.

There are a few steps that should be taken when using acupuncture when working with a person to reduce anxiety. First of all, it is necessary to provide a medical assessment before beginning any treatment plan. This is due to these facts: each person’s unique needs should be well understood by the physician, that trust and rapport be established, and that any and all previous or current therapeutic procedures be clarified.  Furthermore, it can be instrumental to integrate acupuncture and other forms of holistic, natural medicine with someone’s other medical providers.

There are no adverse side effects from acupuncture therapy.  In fact, there is almost always a calming effect that occurs following treatment.  This is primarily a result of endorphins being released from the brain during therapy.  There are other reasons that a sense of calmness and wellbeing are typically experienced.  In addition to acupuncture, many acupuncture physicians will also recommend the support of specific herbal supplements.  Many of these can be very helpful, although some cannot be used in conjunction with certain prescription medications.  This is one of the many reasons to work with a licensed provider of acupuncture and holistic medicine.

Once this initial assessment process is completed, there are two essential steps concerning therapy. For each individual, we next identify the acupuncture points on the body that are well known to both relieve stress and anxiety.  Within our center, the other step involves personalized life and wellness coaching.  Coaching is provided to reinforce the benefits of therapy on one hand, while offering simple, convenient self-care practices that sustain these benefits within the unique day to day lifestyle of each client. My prognosis for recovery is often based on how diligently and consistently the client applies themself to the suggested homework exercises outlined during the coaching portion of their visit.  There is one additional step that I take following each session.  I always send notes as a reminder of the key highlights from the coaching portion of the session and the encouragement to share any questions or feedback that might come up along the way.

Evidence for how acupuncture reduces anxiety can be indicated in a few ways.  First and foremost, as previously stated, acupuncture triggers the brain to release endorphins, so the client always feels calmer, clearer, and more centered after therapy. Another benefit of acupuncture therapy is that it helps to reduce stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system – our stress response management system – and simultaneously reinforces the parasympathetic nervous system that manages the relaxation responses of the body.  One of many notable benefits from acupuncture for anxiety reduction comes from the fact that a clearer, calmer person can more easily and effectively adjust their perceptions along with the subconscious processing of whatever information might ultimately exist at the origin of their anxiety.  Addressing this mind-body relationship can typically lead to long lasting results and optimize ways that a person aligns to both relationships and situations in their world.

Please contact us for more information if you or someone you know is having trouble coping with anxiety.

If you would like to personally experience some of the many benefits of acupuncture and holistic medicine, reserve some time with us.

Additionally, here is some general information from the mainstream about anxiety, WEBMD regarding anxiety and treatment.

AND the results of one study, among many, as published by the National Institutes of Health, regarding acupuncture for anxiety and depression.