The idea of getting multiple needles into your skin when you’re feeling stressed may not seem like self-care. However, traditional Chinese medicine has used acupuncture for thousands of years to relieve pain and treat other medical conditions.
For anxiety, acupuncture needles are placed in areas such as the inside of the wrist, between the eyes, and the ears. This practice also has anecdotal and scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness. Here’s what you need to know about acupuncture for anxiety, including the benefits, risks, and home remedies.
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Yes, it is. “Acupuncture relieves anxiety by regulating the nervous system, particularly by restoring balance to branches of the autonomic nervous system,” said Ashley Flores, a licensed acupuncturist in Chicago. health. “Acupuncture helps bring the body back into a relaxed state where the sympathetic nervous system is balanced and non-dominant.”
According to Chinese medicine, energy, or Qi, flows up and down channels within the body.
“Sometimes, energy is blocked, deficient, in excess, or out of balance. This can lead to an imbalance in the body and, in turn, disease,” says China, who practices in Miami Beach, Florida. says Elizabeth Tratner, a board-certified physician in medicine and integrative medicine.she said health. “Acupuncture restores homeostasis and promotes healing.”
How to use
As part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture uses a “holistic” or holistic approach to health. A holistic approach may include recommendations such as:
- Exercise – especially Qi Gong and Tai Chi
- nutrition
- Phytotherapy (using medicines obtained from plants and herbs)
- psychotherapy
“We don’t separate the physical and mental aspects. [of a patient]Because both are closely linked,” Tratner explained. For example, you can tell your acupuncturist that you feel anxious and wake up in the middle of the night sweating. Still, your acupuncturist won’t think you’re complaining. Two completely different issues.
Instead, you described the symptoms of “yin deficiency,” which is one of the most common explanations for anxiety in Chinese medicine. Yin, along with yang, can regulate a person’s qi. A Yin deficiency can indicate problems related to emotions, with symptoms such as anxiety, night sweats, tension, and depression.
An acupuncturist will work with you to understand your health goals before inserting needles into acupuncture points located on “channels” in three-dimensional space under the skin (mainly within the fascia). As part of your initial evaluation, you and your doctor will take a thorough medical history.
Next, relax on a comfortable table, usually with your head up, and a very thin needle, about the width of a hair, is carefully inserted beneath the surface of your skin. If placed correctly, it should not be painful. Acupuncture lasts about 30 minutes and varies by acupuncturist, but some may use heat lamps, blankets, essential oils, or soothing frequencies in the room.
Needles don’t just stick in random places on your body. It should be inserted at very specific locations, acupuncture points, based on physical or mental symptoms. Points of concern include:
- Between the eyebrows
- inside of wrist
- At your feet
- sternum and ears
One review looked at 20 studies of acupuncture in people with generalized anxiety disorder. Authors’ conclusions: Acupuncture may be beneficial in reducing anxiety symptoms when compared to pharmacotherapy, sham acupuncture, and other non-acupuncture treatments.
Still, it’s unclear whether it’s effective for people with other types of anxiety disorders. More high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to understand how effective acupuncture is in treating different types of anxiety disorders, including:
- agoraphobia
- generalized anxiety disorder
- panic disorder
- phobia
- selective mutism
- separation anxiety disorder
- social anxiety disorder
Acupuncture for anxiety may also be helpful with surgery. One study compared acupuncture to medication. People who received acupuncture before gallbladder surgery or hernia repair had less preoperative anxiety than those who took the anti-anxiety drug midazolam, a type of benzodiazepine.
In general, acupuncture has other benefits as well. Many studies on the therapeutic effects of acupuncture have focused on lower back pain, neck pain, knee pain and headaches. There is also some evidence that acupuncture may help reduce anxiety in people with chronic pain. One review suggests that acupuncture may modulate areas of the brain involved in both pain and emotion.
Acupuncture is relatively safe when performed by a trained, board-certified physician who uses sterile needles. Disposable needles are the industry standard. Avoid practitioners who use non-sterile needles or inappropriate acupuncture techniques. This is not safe or standard and may cause complications. The following side effects may occur:
- bleeding
- central nervous system damage
- Fainting during session
- Hematoma—severe bruising
- Infection
- needle pain
- organ with a hole
Still, the risks are minimal if you work with a properly trained and certified practitioner.
Acupuncture can only be sold to licensed and qualified acupuncturists in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations. Certified acupuncturists undergo extensive training to learn the location and palpation of acupuncture points.
However, you may also want to try acupressure. Studies have shown that it is effective in reducing anxiety. Acupressure uses the same principles as acupuncture, but without needles. Applying pressure to specific acupuncture points using your hand, finger, thumb, or stylus/probe will provide relief.
If you are feeling anxious, you may want to try acupuncture. Studies have shown that this practice is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms. When acupuncture is done correctly and uses sterile needles, risks and side effects are minimal. Before trying acupuncture for anxiety, consult your health care professional or acupuncturist to determine if it is right for you.
