Anxiety disorder is among the most widespread mental health issues in the country. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America states that approximately 40 million American adults will develop an anxiety disorder somewhere in their lifetime.

Conventional anxiety treatment involves talk therapy, sometimes known as psychotherapy, and anti-anxiety medications. While these are useful for many patients, a rising number of people suffering from anxiety are seeking other therapy methods, such as acupuncture. This blog will help you understand how acupuncture can help treat anxiety and stress.

Understanding Anxiety and Stress

Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives — it's a natural reaction to stress. In some cases, stress and anxiety could be advantageous since it triggers the fight or flight response, allowing you to react and pay closer attention to what's going on in your surroundings.

The distinction between anxiety-inducing situations and anxiety disorders is that anxious feelings are constant and recurring in people affected. Anxiety feelings are out of proportion to the circumstances, making it harder and, in certain situations, impossible to live normally.

This could have significant social, financial, and psychological consequences, resulting in everything from absences from school or work to poor performance and serious stress on relationships. Anxiety disorders could also lead to institutionalization or addiction issues in more severe cases.

Anxiety affects the neurological system, blood pressure, the stomach, as well as diet and sleep. Some or all of these symptoms can be exhausting and greatly influence a patient's standard of living.

Severe anxiety is often coupled with social anxiety disorder, which also has a completely different impact on one's life. This eventually has an impact on the patient's mental, bodily, and spiritual wellbeing.

Anxiety disorders are by far the most pervasive psychiatric disorder, affecting over 15 million people across the country every year. Women are also more likely than men to suffer from anxiety disorders, as per the American Psychiatric Association.

The Different Forms of Anxiety Disorder

There is no specific element that indicates whether or not a person can develop anxiety disorders. Experts believe it's the result of a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Anxiety disorders can show up in a variety of forms, including:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Separation anxiety disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Social anxiety disorder
  • Fears of certain things, such as spiders or heights

The great news is anxiety disorders are manageable, but only approximately 37% of those who suffer from them seek help.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment practice that dates back thousands of years. This method is founded on the notion that an energy imbalance causes medical illnesses as well as mental health issues.

According to TCM, a person's body contains an essential life force known as chi or qi. Chi will flow freely through the energy channels inside the body if the mind and body are in good condition. The channels are known as meridians and can be found in various parts of the body.

As per this tradition, chi can become obstructed in various meridian paths, resulting in illnesses or disorders. Acupuncture's role is to help these channels regain their vitality and balance.

Acupuncture has grown in popularity over the last 40 years and is becoming among the most popular medical treatment options. According to a study released in the publication Psychosomatics, roughly a third of persons with anxiety problems use alternative treatments like acupuncture, massages, or relaxation practices.

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that entails the placement of sterilized, thin needles into the skin at certain pressure regions. This regulates the energy flow, also known as chi/qi, through the body's passageways or meridians. The flow of energy is rebalanced by inserting needles at certain locations along these meridians.

Some patients can be turned off by the thought of needles being inserted into their skin; yet, it is performed with a gentle touch that you can barely feel — these needles aren't pushed deep enough into the skin to cause a patient to bleed. Acupuncture needles are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as medical equipment that should only be administered by board-certified, qualified practitioners.

The following are some of the possible side effects:

  • Fatigue
  • Slight bruising
  • Dizziness
  • Soreness

If you notice any possible negative effects after getting treatment, speak with your doctor.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Tiny needles are inserted into specific locations of the body during acupuncture treatment appointments. These regions, called acupuncture points, are supposed to represent areas where qi is obstructed.

These needles are intended to activate and eventually open clogged energy pathways and are available in a variety of sizes and lengths.

According to some Western medical specialists, acupuncture has been interpreted through the view of neurology, where muscles, muscles, as well as connective tissues, are activated and the body's neurochemicals are produced.

Acupuncture needles had not been acknowledged as medical treatment devices until the 1990s. Acupuncture needles were certified as medical instruments by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 1997.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) acknowledged acupuncture as a treatment option for pain management as well as other medical disorders in the same year.

Acupuncture needle usage and safety are currently regulated by the FDA.

Acupuncture's Effectiveness in Treating Anxiety and Stress

An increasing body of research supports acupuncture's general health advantages. Acupuncture is often used to address a wide range of illnesses, including:

  • Severe pain
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Headaches

Acupuncture has been mostly used to help manage pain, but more and more research is being done on how it might help with overall health and wellness, such as stress and anxiety treatment. Acupuncture boosts the body's feel-good chemicals while lowering stress levels like cortisol, rendering it a highly helpful technique.

Anxiety disorders are typically treated with psychotherapy and pharmacology. Acupuncture, biofeedback therapy, massage therapy, meditation, yoga, exercise, and vitamins are all becoming more popular as kinds of treatments that could be beneficial.

Acupuncture helps anxiety sufferers by redirecting their energy. We often try to reason ourselves out of nervousness, but perhaps the most efficient method is to quiet the anxiety using your body and emotions, after which you may begin speaking about your thoughts without being captured by your emotional center.

Scientific research on acupuncture as well as its utility in managing anxiety has been restricted in the past, but there are some changes as it becomes more accepted in conventional medicine.

A lot of studies have been done over the last several years to see how acupuncture changes the physiological reaction of the body to handle pain and stress.

Acupuncture aimed at treating anxiety has demonstrated some promising outcomes in clinical research. These studies, nonetheless, have several flaws, including insufficient sample sizes, difficulties with controlled groups, or limited methods for measuring results.

Acupuncturists and other medical specialists aren't sure why acupuncture might assist with anxiety, although some studies have found that it does have a relaxing response. To demonstrate the usefulness of acupuncture for this condition, further rigorous research trials are needed.

Not all complementary and alternative medicine techniques have been properly examined for their effectiveness and safety. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine site has further details on the evidence, effectiveness, and concerns of different CAM therapies.

Receiving Treatment

If you want to use acupuncture to manage your stress and anxiety symptoms, the initial step would be to talk to your physician. It's also crucial that you get these treatments from a qualified acupuncturist.

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture as well as Oriental Medicine and the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture both have websites where you can find certified acupuncture practitioners.

Acupuncture is being more widely used to address medical as well as mental health issues, making it easily accessible. Certain insurance coverage might cover a few of your acupuncture sessions because it has been verified for efficacy and is offered through many medical institutions.

The Benefits of Acupuncture On Anxiety and Stress

Research on the effectiveness of acupuncture for anxiety has been conducted. These studies, which have focused primarily on generalized anxiety disorder, demonstrate that acupuncture can effectively manage general anxiety.

Acupuncture was proven to be beneficial for lowering anxiety in an even more recent 2017 trial on rats. According to experts, it affects how well the body initiates the fight-or-flight reflex.

While more research is needed to determine how acupuncture impacts anxiety, panic disorder, as well as phobias, data suggests that it is a useful and safe treatment alternative. If you do have an anxiety disorder that hasn't reacted positively to prior treatments or you just want to try something different, acupuncture shouldn't make your symptoms worse.

The Risks Associated With Acupuncture

Acupuncture will not make your symptoms worse, but it does have certain risks and adverse effects. Many of these can be avoided by visiting a certified acupuncturist. License requirements vary by state in the United States, but most involve passing an exam administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

The most common adverse effect associated with acupuncture would be soreness after the sessions. This normally fades away within several hours, but it could leave some scarring behind. During the sessions, some patients can also experience pinpricks of discomfort.

Acupuncturists who are licensed have to use sterilized, disposable needles. If the practitioner did not use correctly sterilized needles, you risk getting an infection. However, if you visit an experienced, trained acupuncturist, these issues are extremely rare.

Acupuncture should not be used by people who have certain medical disorders. If you have any of the following conditions, you should not seek acupuncture as a treatment option:

  • You have a pacemaker
  • You have a hemorrhage disorder like hemophilia

While having acupuncture, it's also crucial to stick to any current anxiety treatment, such as your prescribed medications. Stopping any drugs without first consulting your physician is not a good idea.

What You Can Expect From the Treatment

Once you first come in for a session, the acupuncturist should ask you what symptoms you want to address. They'll also inquire about any drugs you're taking, your medical information, as well as any other medical issues you're concerned about. It is an excellent opportunity to discuss any remaining concerns you may have concerning the procedure.

They'll implant long, thin, and sterile needles into various pressure sites on your body throughout your session. This can take anywhere between ten to thirty minutes, based on the pressure sites used.

The acupuncturist may also twirl the needles or send an electric signal to them. The needles will be left in for approximately 20 minutes before being carefully removed.

You are unlikely to experience immediate gratification. The vast majority of acupuncture sessions are designed to be continued. Some people experience rapid results, but most patients see subtle and progressive changes over time.

Before you can go, make sure you're aware of the costs. Acupuncture is covered by some healthcare insurance policies for physical or mental health disorders, such as anxiety, while others do not.

Acupuncture could be a safe and effective way to alleviate anxiety. More study is needed, but it shows potential and should not aggravate your symptoms. Ensure you pick a certified acupuncture specialist in your region who is fully trained and licensed by the state health board. It is also critical to continue your existing anxiety treatments, like therapy or medications. You might also wish to try other treatment options, such as relaxation, exercises, or meditation, to relieve stress and enhance your general well-being.

Find an Acupuncturist Near Me

Anxiety is a crippling disorder that can severely disrupt a person's life, limiting them from performing routine duties and communicating with those around them. Acupuncture is an excellent treatment for anxiety because it serves to relieve anxiety, regulate hormones, as well as stabilize the region of your brain that controls emotions and other behavioral tendencies.

If you are suffering from stress and anxiety, consider acupuncture treatment now. Contact Trinity Acupuncture now at 310-371-1777 to schedule an appointment with one of the experienced acupuncturists in Torrance, CA.