Most people will experience some form of anxiety or worry in their lifetime. These conditions can make us feel trapped, causing us to miss out on valuable present moments, struggle with work, or skip activities that we would normally enjoy. In this article we will explore some of the many ways that acupuncture can help manage anxiety naturally and effectively. Whether it’s through a standard treatment, acutonics, or a mix of traditional herbs, Dr. Laura is dedicated to getting you back to enjoying your daily life.
For thousands of years, Chinese Medicine has detailed treatments for how to help individuals with anxiety and worry. I’ve completed an Advanced Acupuncture course on Anxiety, Insomnia and Depression to further my understanding of these disorders. I am deeply interested in the mind and I love to learn more about these health issues as well as new points and treatment ideas.
In Chinese Medicine, the Heart* is considered to house the mind and has a leadership role over the function of the entire body. When the mind is overly active, overtaxed (think working or worrying excessively), and improperly rested, this can result in weakening of the Heart* system and anxiety patterns have an opportunity to manifest. If these conditions become chronic, anxiety symptoms and disorders can take a firmer hold.
Hallmarks of anxiety include worry, nervousness, and fear to the degree these can interfere with normal functioning in day-to-day life. Other associated symptoms can include palpitations, sleep problems, tense muscles, chest tension, and panic.
Typical aspects of our modern lives (24/7 society, overwork, irregular or insufficient sleep, social media and cell phone/electronics usage) generally do not positively contribute to anxiety symptoms and disorders.
The overtaxed-and-under-rested Heart* related to anxiety can be treated in Chinese Medicine with acupuncture. Through acupuncture, a personalized acupuncture point prescription can be selected to calm the mind and replenish the Heart* energy.
If you are new to acupuncture, it is helpful to know that the needles I use are very fine; most people are surprised by how little discomfort they experience during their treatment. Many of my patients relax on the table for the duration of their treatment (I provide you with a call bell so, should you feel uncomfortable for any reason, I am just a ring away).
Other treatment modalities I use to assist with anxiety include:
- Acutonics is a sound vibration modality developed by American acupuncturists in which Chinese Medicine principles are used in the application of tuning forks on the body. In this non-invasive treatment modality, weighted tuning forks of varied frequencies are used on acupuncture points to illicit and promote health changes in the body. When receiving an Acutonics treatment, you will feel the comfortable vibration at the sites where the tuning forks are applied and most people find it very relaxing. Sound therapy may sound bizarre but using sound in health care is not a new concept: Ultrasounds are used in diagnostics, and Shock Wave Lithotripsy is used to treat Kidney stones.
- Auricular medicine involves taping seeds on the ear at specific points based on Auricular Medicine principles. For anxiety, “seeds” (traditionally from the plant vaccaria, but can also be ceramic or metal) would be taped on the ear at sites known to help calm the mind. The taped seed creates acupressure on the point where it is stuck, thus continuing to stimulate the point for the duration the seed is stuck there. These taped seeds can remain in place for a number of days, and squeezed at the location of the ear when anxiety symptoms are being experienced.
- Chinese herbal prescriptions are custom made to a patient’s need and can be targeted to specific symptoms like worrying, sleep issues, and tension.
Other general health recommendations for anxiety management would be to consider moderate exercise (eg. walking, yoga), getting good quality sleep, seeking out natural environments, carving out time to relax, trying meditation, eating a regular, well-balanced diet.
In this article, I have promoted acupuncture and other modalities for the treatment of anxiety however this is not intended to replace proper care, consultations and treatment with your physician or other qualified medical professionals. I would be happy to work in conjunction with these professionals in reaching your goals to manage your anxiety symptoms.
If you are interested in acupuncture and the other treatment modalities mentioned in this article for the treatment of anxiety, you can either book a first appointment and start treatment, or book a free 15 minute meet-and-greet with me to discuss any questions you may have with me.
You can do either of these by calling 403-452-0029 or by booking online.