How Can Acupuncturists Help Deal with Anxiety?

Are you sick of enduring the negative effects of drugs for anxiety and depression? Or are you seeking non-traditional treatments? After you have tried everything, you might want to look into acupuncture. 

The two most widespread mood disorders are anxiety and depression; roughly one-third of patients do not improve with conventional treatments like medication and psychotherapy. As a result, many people look for complementary therapies to manage their mental issues, such as Eastern medical procedures.

You might imagine that acupuncture is only for hipsters who reject Western treatment or your elderly mom who suffers from chronic back pain. Still, many believe acupuncture can help alleviate anxiety, a disease that occasionally affects everyone.

Defining Anxiety 

Everybody has brief periods of anxiety throughout their lives; it’s a typical response to stressful situations. Since anxiety triggers the fight-or-flight response and makes you more alert to your surroundings, it might be helpful in some circumstances. 

An anxiety disorder is distinguished from anxiety-inducing situations by the persistence and recurrence of worrisome sensations in affected people. Anxiety symptoms are out of control in the scenario, which makes it challenging and even impossible to carry out daily tasks.

Defining acupuncture 

Depression and anxiety are considered warning signs in Eastern philosophy because they are signs that something more serious is happening inside the body. Traditional Chinese medicine refers to this source of life energy as “qi,” When it is out of balance, it causes sickness, which can show up as despair and anxiety. Although acupuncture is not a panacea, it can assist with the symptoms of sadness and anxiety when used as a part of an integrated strategy to make the complete body healthy. You can find expert acupuncturists in Calgary to receive acupuncture therapy. 

A licensed practitioner places thin, thread-like needles into particular bodily nerve sites during acupuncture for anxiety. Each needle pokes and activates a sensory nerve, causing it to become active and begin communicating with the brain. Endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, are then released by the brain, causing the immune system to react and promoting healing throughout the body.

Acupuncture treatments typically last about 30 minutes. Though there are different types of acupuncture therapies, you must talk with your acupuncturist before beginning the session. The needles will then be positioned all over the body, and the practitioner will either manually move them or stimulate them with electrical currents to encourage the body’s neurochemical activity. When working with an acupuncturist, he will work with you to reduce your symptoms since he is familiar with acupressure sites for anxiety and depression

Benefits of acupuncture in relieving anxiety 

Since ancient times, acupuncture, a kind of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has assisted countless people in lowering stress levels and enhancing their general health. Numerous benefits of using acupuncture for stress and anxiety alleviation are listed here.

Needles do not hurt

We stimulate our body’s acupressure points, and meridians with extremely thin needles placed just beneath the skin to increase the flow of Qi (pronounced ‘chee’), or vital energy, in our systems and restore the body’s stress homeostasis. Your practitioner will choose the optimum locations to insert the needles into your body following a thorough assessment. 

Your acupuncturist will start by lightly tapping needles into each location as you lay on a cushioned table. You won’t even see the needles since they are so little. 

No side-effects 

You won’t need to be anxious about adverse effects because acupuncture is a drug-free therapy. Furthermore, you may be confident that your current drugs won’t interact negatively with acupuncture sessions. To assist you in reaching your targeted stress-reduction goals, your acupuncturist will suggest a treatment frequency.

Relaxing time

The treatment soothes and relaxes you. You will relax for around 30 minutes after the needles are inserted to let the therapy take effect. You can relax, listen to calm music, or even close your eyes for a little nap during this period.

Releases endorphins 

The body induces an immunological response when needles are introduced into sensory nerves just below the skin’s surface, increasing circulation to the affected area and causing the release of endorphins. Endorphins work as the body’s built-in painkiller.

Boosts your mood

You gain much more than just a mood lift from acupuncture since it works to improve your entire health rather than only addressing individual problems. Acupuncture is a successful treatment for allergies, infertility, migraine and tension headaches.

Reduces inflammation 

Acupuncture causes the immune system to produce an anti-inflammatory response to fight against minor invasions because the needles behave like tiny wounds all over the body. Persistent inflammation can make someone feel depressed.

Uses internal mechanism for relief

The brain receives a signal from the nerves stimulated by the tiny needles instructing it to release endorphins. It is our body’s natural painkiller. We feel calm and euphoric or pleased from these organic brain chemicals. Acupuncture also assists our bodies in reducing pain and inflammation naturally, both of which can be exacerbated by prolonged stress.

Self-care time

Making and attending an acupuncture session refocuses your attention on yourself instead of taking medicine and carrying on as usual. Our attitudes and routines need to change if we want to reduce stress. In addition to helping you create time for yourself and re-prioritize your stressed routines, acupuncture helps alter the internal stress-induced chemistry.

How frequently do you need acupuncture to relieve anxiety?

Most people who experience anxiety react to acupuncture fast and find it a highly useful therapy option. Your constitution, medical history, the intensity and frequency of your anxiety, and how fast your body responds to acupuncture therapy will influence how many acupuncture sessions you need.

We normally prescribe acupuncture treatments one to two times a week for anxiety disorders, and the duration of therapy depends on how persistent the anxiety is, lifestyle variables, and if you can limit exposure to stressors contributing to your stress and anxiety.

Conclusion

Find a qualified, experienced acupuncturist with expertise in treating anxiety and depression if you decide to try it. Remember that acupuncture is most beneficial for depression and anxiety over many weeks of therapy. Ask your provider how many sessions they advise for optimum healing, and don’t forget to do so.