Five Element Acupuncture for Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal reaction to different situations or circumstances that we may encounter day to day. For example, it is normal and healthy to have anxiety when we encounter a stressful situation at work or trouble in our relationships at home. Naturally, our body will go into a fight or flight response, also known as our sympathetic nervous state. Anxiety becomes problematic when it is excessive and out of place; if anxiety is continually present without an identifiable event or stressful situation, there may be concern to get help for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Signs and symptoms of anxiety include:
- A sense of impending danger, panic, or doom
- Excessive worry or fear
- Restlessness and nervousness
- Sweating, trembling, rapid breathing
- Fatigue or weakness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble with sleeping and insomnia
- Avoidance of things and situations that trigger anxiety
Thankfully, anxiety is one of the most common ailments Five Element Acupuncturists work with and growing research shows that acupuncture helps treat anxiety, a condition that all of us will face at one time or another. Acupuncture works by reducing stress hormones like cortisol, promoting feel good hormones, and allowing the body to go into a parasympathetic nervous state (rest and digest). Western medicine is wonderful; however, it often has a one size fits all approach for treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Most often medications are prescribed, which can have serious negative side effects. Furthermore, Five Element Acupuncture is a preventative and holistic medicine that aims to treat the root cause of anxiety, not just suppress the symptoms.
Anxiety statistics:
- More than 40 million Americans over 18 years old suffer from anxiety.
- General Anxiety Disorder is the most common type of illness in the United States.
- 30% of the population experiences an anxiety disorder at some point during their lifetime.
- Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, though only 37% of people suffering from anxiety seek treatment.
- Anxiety disorders can develop from genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.
- Women are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety than men.
- Research shows acupuncture is a safe and viable option for treating General Anxiety Disorder.
Benefits of acupuncture for anxiety:
- Five Element Acupuncture is an individualized medicine. Each treatment is catered to the individual and their specific needs. Thus two people receiving treatment for acupuncture would receive completely different treatments because they are different people with different needs.
- Anxiety medication can cause serious negative side effects- acupuncture is a noninvasive and drug-free way to treat anxiety with no side effects.
- Anxiety symptoms typically lessen after a few visits.
- Acupuncture treats the root cause of the anxiety. Medication often only treats the symptoms.
- Acupuncture is helpful for those who want to limit or stop drug use.
- Acupuncture has increased popularity because it works.
- Acupuncture works well with conjunction therapy and has been shown to enhance the effects of other treatments and pharmaceuticals.
The world we live in is so stressful. 2020, COVID-19, and politics have played a huge role in our livelihood. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), 36% of Americans say COVID-19 is having a serious impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Mental health is so important. Please remember if you are struggling with anxiety that you are not alone. Lifestyle habits like meditation, breathwork, diet, nature, physical activity, and sleep can help as well.
If you have any questions about how Five Element Acupuncture can help you, please reach out to Beverly.
