Treating Stress and Anxiety with Acupuncture

Acupuncture treatment for Stress and Anxiety

Stress can be caused by a disturbing situation or thought that causes frustration, anger or irritation. Hence, anxiety refers to excessive worrying that’s hard to control and often impacts daily life.

Acupuncture reduces stress through a variety of mechanisms.

• It deals primarily with the regulation of one’s vital power, that is physical energy known as qi, “Qi”.
• It has significant benefits to the overall functioning of the body.
• Acupuncture causes relaxation, reduction of tachycardia and blood pressure.
• It creates a sense of calm and serenity, which is of great importance for people in stressful situations.

According to the most up to date evidence, acupuncture is an effective treatment for anxiety and stress. In 2017, The Acupuncture Evidence Project, found that acupuncture had a major effect on reducing anxiety and depression compared to conventional treatment involving pharmacological approaches and psychotherapy, with over twice the reduction in symptoms.

Acupuncture therapy releases endorphins, which are hormones that act as natural pain killers in the body. When needles are inserted into sensory nerves just below the skin’s surface, the body stimulates a response in the immune system, which increases circulation to that area of the body and triggers the release of endorphins.

References

• McDonald J, Janz S. The Acupuncture Evidence Project: A Comparative Literature Review. Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd. 2017.
• Bazzan AJ, Zabrecky G, Monti DA, Newberg AB. Current evidence regarding the management of mood and anxiety disorders using complementary and alternative medicine. Expert Rev Neurother. 2014;14:411- 23.
• Goyata SL, Avelino CC, Santos SV, Souza Junior DI, Gurgel MD, Terra FS. Effects from acupuncture in treating anxiety: integrative review. Rev Bras Enferm. 2016 Jun;69(3):602-9.
• American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. 2013.