Acupuncture therapy and treatments for stress and anxiety

Lately, many people have been asking me “can acupuncture help with stress and anxiety?”. During these uncertain economic times many of us are consumed by worry. But by the laws of nature and the ever-present yin/yang balance what goes up must come down. Things will eventually get better and the best we can do is have patience, prioritize, and stay positive.

Chinese medicine: Connection between the body and mind

Chinese medicine is unlike other medicines in that it recognizes a connection between the body and the mind. Excessive emotions can become a deep rooted issue over time and can create imbalances within our bodies and systems. According to Chinese medical theory, when we undergo stress our energy flow is compromised and stagnations are created. Each person responds to stagnation differently. For some, the response is more of an emotional change such as crankiness, anger, or mood swings.

The physical symptoms of stress and anxiety

Emotions, particularly stress, can also trigger physical symptoms. For example, many migraine sufferers recognize a direct connection between stress and an onset or severity of their migraine symptoms. For many women, there is a delay in menstruation or increased menstrual cramps during months when they are under significant amounts of stress. It is not uncommon for people to have digestion issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation during times of stress. Both Eastern and Western medicine agree that stressful lifestyles can make us more susceptible to heart problems and can aggravate existing heart conditions. As time goes on, stress compounds and symptoms gradually get worse if the stress is not addressed.

How Chinese medicine addresses stress and anxiety

Acupuncture treatments and herbal medicine help to remove the stagnation and calm the mind which will help to bring the body to a state of balance. Once the body is balanced, the physical and emotional symptoms disappear.

We only get one shot at life so it’s important that we invest in taking care of our bodies while we’re here. Regardless of what you choose to help you regain some balance in your life, whether it’s acupuncture, yoga, jogging, or a new hobby, the most important thing is to not let your stress get the best of you!