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A wellness blog about Anxiety and Acupuncture, written by Jasmine Vogel. Jasmine is an experienced, AHPRA registered Acupuncturist, based in Perth, Western Australia.
I have been providing Acupuncture to the Perth community for over 5 years. In this time I have found that Anxiety is a common reason for people seeking Acupuncture. Even if the client didn’t seek Acupuncture initially for Anxiety, it is a commonly reported issue in addition to their main reason for visiting the clinic. Anxiety can have a detrimental affect a persons quality of life. There is light at the end of the tunnel, anxiety can be helped.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal response to stress, where a person can have anxious and uncomfortable feelings where we feel under pressure. Anxious feelings can pass once the stressful situation is resolved. Where as, Anxiety as a condition (Generalised Anxiety Disorder or others) is when it becomes frequent and excessive is has become a very impactful disorder which can make coping with daily life difficult.
What causes Anxiety? and how can we treat it?
Emotional stress
Changes in environment, eg. A new job or moving house
Sudden or gradual loss of Blood*, whether from childbirth, surgery, or chronic menstrual issues. This will mostly effect a person who is already Blood deficient
Overwork
Improper or irregular diet
Constitution and genetics
*“Blood” in Chinese medicine is a rough translation for the body’s ability to utilise nutrients, the blood itself, and the yin aspect of vital substances. Sufficient blood is integral to sleep, emotions, vitality, production of breast milk and the menstrual cycle.
Studies show that Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for anxiety. A recent randomised control trial (Liu et. al, 2021), demonstrated that Acupuncture was an effective treatment for anxiety and depression associated with insomnia. There have been many studies that show the benefits of Acupuncture for different types of Anxiety. A thorough consultation is performed to discover the internal imbalances that are causing the Anxiety symptoms in the client. Acupuncture is then used to rebalance the body; to promote symptom reduction and/or resolution. Balancing the mind body connection, encouraging the mind to reside more harmoniously within the body. When the body is functioning well, the mind rests in the body comfortably, reducing Anxiety. Acupuncture can help to relieve anxiety and its related symptoms
Complications of Anxiety
Emotional upset, poor concentration in study or work, poor diet choices, relationship challenges, use of medications, self medicating, difficulty performing daily tasks, difficulty maintaining healthy social relationships, insomnia, digestive upset, worsening of other symptoms or conditions, muscle tension and irritability.
How do Perth Acupuncturists treat Anxiety?
Anxiety is a common symptom or condition treated in Acupuncture clinics. Jasmine treats Anxiety using holistic methods, recognising the internal roots and manifestations while using Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques; Acupuncture, cupping therapy, Gua Sha, and ear pressure points in her treatments. The session begins with a thorough consultation, including tongue and pulse diagnosis. Your Acupuncturist will feel the pulse on both wrists, feeling for certain qualities. As well as looking at your tongue assessing the colour, cracks and coating as part of the diagnostic process. The treatment involves placing fine, single-use, sterile needles on certain points along the Acupuncture channels, left in place while you relax for up to 30 minutes. Cupping may also be performed when appropriate. Then an individualised treatment plan can be made, which will vary depending on the severity, length of time the symptoms have been present, and your unique constitution. Acupuncture is best used as a series of treatments to create lasting change. Typically 1-2 Acupuncture sessions per week initially, then a maintenance program will be implemented, along with lifestyle advice. Often people feel more relaxed during and after the first session, but in some cases this can take several treatments to start noticing a change, and then maintenance treatments are performed for a period of time to create lasting change.
The reasons that someone may develop Anxiety, whether it be chronic or acute, will differ from person to person, and so will their treatment plan. Consistency is best when it comes to achieving your health goals.
The treatment will work on the symptoms as well as treating the root inner imbalance. Which may involve imbalances of the Heart, Kidneys, Lung, Spleen and/or Liver systems. We will work on these organ systems plus managing stress and anxiety, putting the body/mind back into balance.
Advice
Move stagnant Qi by walking and stretching
Try breath work
Reduce excessive stimulants such as tea/coffee/energy drinks
Reduce fatty foods, sugar, dairy, and alcohol where possible
Eat mostly cooked and warm meals at regular times while seated and relaxed
Prioritise work-life balance to avoid overwork
Regular Acupuncture sessions
Self care as a priority (however that looks for you)
Try drinking dandelion root tea regularly
Feng Shui to ease Anxiety
Feng Shui is the study of the relationship between a persons environment and their wellbeing, and may be a useful part of your Anxiety reducing lifestyle changes.
Declutter your environment
Incorporate artwork depicting oceans, meadows, and peaceful natural scenes
Keep the bedroom furniture minimal, with electrical items away from your head while you sleep
Soft natural colours on the walls and decor
Change fluorescent lighting for regular bulbs with more yellow/natural coloured light
Don’t over decorate, stick to soft colours and rounded lines
Other Treatments
Talking therapies, behavioural therapies such as CBT or DBT, consult your GP, Reiki, Naturopathy & massage.
Further information on TCM and Anxiety
Acupuncture is a treatment method used in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), a medical system which has evolved over thousands of years. A holistic
system that sees the natural connection between humans and nature, as well as the connection of the body, mind and spirit.
Emotions are seen in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) as a response of the Shen (or spirit) to stimulus from the external world. Emotions are seen as being movements of Qi (life force). Different qualities of movement for different emotions. With strong emotions, there is dysfunctional movement of Qi, leading to imbalance and eventually illness. In a way, this excessive movement of Qi, injures the mind and body. Anxiety and worry have a tendency to injure the Shen (spirit), and sadness depletes Qi. Additionally, rumination and anguish can inhibit the flow of Qi in the body. In TCM, the mind and body are considered one dynamic unit. Not separate forces. Symptoms of the mind/emotions often have some of their roots in the body, and symptoms of the body often have some roots in the mind/emotions. They can both give rise to each other.
Major organ systems in the body have emotions associated with them. For example; fear is associated with the Kidney system, and worry associated with the Spleen system. These are the systems that can be most impacted by these emotions, conversely, these emotions can be a sign of weakness in these systems.
The balance of the organ systems, flow of Qi and Blood, balance of Yin and Yang in the body are essential for good health; mental and physical.
Book your appointment with Jasmine here:
With love,
Jasmine
References:
Liu, C., Zhao, Y., Qin, S., Wang, X., Jiang, Y., & Wu, W. (2021). Randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for anxiety and depression in patients with chronic insomnia. Annals of translational medicine, 9(18), 1426. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm-21-3845
Rossi, E 2007, Shen: Psycho-emotional aspects of Chinese Medicine,1st edition, Churchill Livingstone, Philadelphia
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