Acupuncture has many indications and a complete evaluation using tongue, pulse, and facial diagnosis will enable me to write a personalized treatment plan for your issues. Anxiety and its manifestations such as insomnia, palpitations and racing mind are all issues that may be alleviated with regular acupuncture treatments and herbal formulas. In western medicine, generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, is often treated with psychotherapy using methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and anti-anxiety drugs, particularly benzodiazepines including Valium, Ativan and Xanax. In this article, the researchers note that:
“…acupuncture is both safe and effective. A trend towards increased usage of acupuncture for GAD is partially due to the risk of side effects from drug therapy. Benzodiazepines are major anti-anxiety medications but there is a risk vertigo, sleepiness and addiction. SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are also important drugs for anti-anxiety treatments. However, side effects including nausea, irritability, sexual dysfunction, headaches, high blood pressure, dizziness, sweating and digestive disturbances complicate use of these medications.”
The study in this article goes on to explain that “GAD affects approximately 2 – 4.7% of the population in China and approximately 3% in the USA” and shows how two main points in the body – Lung 7, located about 3 cm from the lateral wrist crease beneath the thumb, and Kidney 6, just below the medial malleolus, helped calm anxiety in study participants. Other points many acupuncturists use are DU20 at the top of the head – the crown chakra point – and Yintang, between the eyebrows – the 3rd eye point.
Not mentioned in this article is the effectiveness of shen-calming herbal formulas. Some of the herbs most helpful for anxiety are Chinese dates and their seeds (Zizyphus Jujuba – Da Zao and Suan Zao Ren) and Albizzia Bark (He Huan Pi) as well as herbs with a heavy mineral content such as shells, though supplementing with magnesium may also be helpful as magnesium can become deficient in times of stress.
While mental health professionals understand that no one plan works well for all patients, a multi-pronged strategy can yield significant benefits. Thinking about adding acupuncture to your treatment plan? Give me a call and let’s talk!