Stress & Emotional Problems
Stress is primarily a mental reaction to your perception of life, and is often amplified as your mind constantly deliberates the complicated aspects of life. In reality, you may end up with more stress through these mental reactions. Acupuncture has been found to be effective in alleviating stress. The deep unwinding that occurs during acupuncture treatment parallels the effects of meditation, facilitating the release of stress. As acupuncture promotes mental relaxation, the body returns to a more balanced state, which can improve the functioning of your organ systems, and in turn help you to manage stress more effectively. In particular, the digestive system is easily affected by stress, resulting in common reactions like irritable bowel syndrome, vomiting, and diarrhea. By supporting the functioning of the digestive system, acupuncture helps the entire body to become stronger and better able to handle stress in the future.
Stress
Acupuncture is a natural and healthier approach to stress management than pharmaceutical medications. If you've been taking sleeping medications, anti-depressants, or tranquilizers to manage stress, acupuncture can help reduce or eliminate the dependence on these medications, under your doctor's supervision. Additionally, supplementing acupuncture treatment with Chinese herbal medicine may aid in effective stress management.
Depression affects about 20% of the population at some point in their lives. Due to its prevalence, many experts call depression the "common cold" of psychology. While there are effective medications available for treating depression, the potential side effects make considering a natural alternative worthwhile. In Chinese Medicine, depression is viewed as a problem of constraint, called Yu. The primary Yin organ associated with depression is the liver, with secondary roles played by the spleen and heart. The liver, an energetic organ responsible for circulating the body's vital energy or Qi, is affected by depression, leading to a disruption in the flow of Qi (Liver Qi Stagnation). This can impact other physiological functions, including digestion, sleep, and energy levels. If left untreated, it may result in additional stagnations of body heat, phlegm, and blood, potentially leading to symptoms like mania, mental fog, and body pain. Over time, these secondary stagnations will spread to affect the heart and spleen, creating additional symptoms like poor memory and fatigue.
Depression
Acupuncture treatment for depression aims to restore Qi circulation and balance energy flow to relieve specific symptoms. Once your Qi is circulating smoothly and energy levels are stabilized, you may regain the strength to re-engage in daily activities, leaving depression in the past.
Anxiety manifests in various forms, ranging from mild worries about upcoming events to conditions like phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nervous stomach, and panic attacks. While some anxiety is a normal response to the challenges of daily life, anxiety that occurs randomly or excessively is cause for concern. During episodes of anxiety, you may experience obsessive thoughts and physical symptoms such as chest pain, elevated heart rate, shortness of breath, stomach pain, nausea, or headaches. Fortunately, acupuncture can help restore balance to both the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety. Depending on the specific symptoms of anxiety and by assessing your pulse and tongue, an acupuncturist can determine which Traditional Chinese Medicine pattern of anxiety you're experiencing. Most anxiety conditions are linked to imbalances in the heart and kidney. The heart is considered a highly Yang energy organ, as it constantly pumps blood throughout the body. Overexcitement of the heart can create excess heat in the Heart, potentially resulting in anxiety and insomnia. The kidney works to balance the heart and prevent its overexcitement.
Anxiety
Acupuncture treatments for anxiety may involve both body and auricular (ear) acupuncture. Body acupuncture harmonizes the heart and kidney, and ear acupuncture points, when stimulated, can effectively reduce anxiety. In some cases, the use of ear tacks or small magnetic balls at specific ear acupuncture points can prolong the therapeutic effects between treatments.