Acupuncture is an ancient therapeutic practice that has been used to treat many different maladies, both physical and mental, over the years. Acupuncture for anxiety and stress remains one of the most popular methods, stimulating your body's natural healing processes, rebalancing your systems, improving your sleep and generally helping you to relax.
What is acupuncture?
The history of acupuncture dates back thousands of years to Ancient China. It is a form of treatment based on inserting small needles into particular spots on the body, known as pressure points. Traditionally, this was thought to unblock the flow of qi, or energy, through the channels of the body known as meridians. Modern science suggests that it can stimulate healing endorphins and improve blood flow. Acupuncture has been used as a form of pain relief and a way to encourage relaxation.
Why do people choose acupuncture?
Many people choose to use acupuncture alongside more conventional modern medicine, such as drugs or surgery. Others may have tried all the regular treatments without success. Acupuncture is minimally invasive, with needles not penetrating far enough to cause any real harm, and side effects are generally mild. Some people may find this preferable to other options.
Many wide-ranging claims have been made about the utility of acupuncture for treating conditions, and while some of these may have been exaggerated, it is often recommended for dealing with headaches and chronic pain, or for when you are dealing with the side effects of stress.
The impact of stress and anxiety on the body
Everyone experiences stress sometimes. It can cause us to enter what is commonly known as "fight-or-flight mode", when our sympathetic nervous system activates to prepare us to either battle or run away. Hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are released as your heart and breathing accelerate and every part of your body goes into high alert.
This is fine in the short term, but it is only meant to be brief, until the threat is gone. You are not meant to stay in fight-or-flight mode for extended periods of time. In chronic form, it can have a serious, debilitating impact on your body and mind. Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and other aspects of your biology can all be adversely affected. You may experience stomach or appetite problems, your sleep may be disturbed, and you may struggle to focus or remember things. In some cases, you may experience panic attacks. It can prevent you from working or damage your relationships with family and friends. It is not always possible to remove the source of the stress, but you may be able to find new ways to manage it.
How does acupuncture for anxiety and stress work?
Similar to other forms of acupuncture, this treatment involves the application of small, sterilized needles into the skin at certain points on the body.
First you will have a consultation with the acupuncturist about your specific situation and needs so they can plan the most appropriate form of treatment. You may experience benefits from the first session, but it could take weeks of treatment to ensure a lasting effect. Acupuncture may be combined with other forms of therapy, such as reflexology.
Needles are small and cause only the slightest penetration of the skin. This means the treatment is unlikely to cause significant pain or discomfort, but it will tell the body that it is time to activate its natural healing processes. It will release endorphins, the pain-killing hormones known to boost your mood that are often associated with exercise.
Meanwhile, stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which tend to be at unhealthily high levels during times of anxiety, may start to reduce. The fight or flight mode of the sympathetic nervous system switches over to the so-called "rest and digest mode" of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Exactly how well acupuncture for anxiety and stress works will vary between individuals, but this could lead to a reduction in headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension and the other physical symptoms of stress. Hopefully, your appetite will be restored and you will be able to return to a regular and healthy sleep pattern. You may also experience improvements in cognition and mood, including better concentration and memory. This may all combine to help you feel refreshed and relaxed in general and better prepared to deal with any new or ongoing stress that you may encounter in the world.
Conclusion
There are many reasons people choose acupuncture instead of or alongside other forms of medicine. It is minimally invasive and unlikely to cause harm, instead presenting an ancient and natural way to encourage the body to heal itself. Whether you believe in concepts such as qi or you support the more scientific suggestion that acupuncture stimulates endorphins, acupuncture may be worth your consideration.
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