Can acupuncture manage anxiety?

Depression is categorized as "a vague, unpleasant and sometimes debilitating emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some misfortune". Although a lot of people “feel depressed” in different situations, the causes for why they feel the way they do are generally hard to identify. Many people can tell when they are depressed. What is hard to understand is why the anxiety stubbornly persistents in their life.

The cause of “being depressed” has been studied for a long time. There are various reasons for feeling the way that you do. First of all, it is necessary to understand which form of anxiety disorder you may suffer. Researchers have been investigating the effect of “feeling depressed” on the brain, and have found that a chemical imbalance may have occurred in the brain.

The sentiments we experience depend on the release and reuptake of neurotransmitters in the brain. Depressed feeling is triggered by an imbalance of specific chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. When we feel depressed, our brains discharges or uptakes chemicals either too quickly or too slowly. If left untreated, a chemical imbalance may increase in severity as time goes by.

Drugs, such as Paxil and Effexor, are most commonly used therapies for chemical imbalance in the brain. These medications are believed to have a direct effect on key neurotransmitters. Although these drugs work in about sixty percent of the patients, patients who use them usually report a variety of side effects. Acupuncture has long been used to treat emotional problems, and is believed to be a powerful tool for management of depression and anxiety.

Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), human body has 14 channels called meridians. Meridians create a network along the body that carries a universal energy called Qi. TCM theory believes that Qi can be improved. Along the energy channels there are many points called acu-points. Each acu-point may be considered as a switch controlling the flow of energy. Malfunction of these switches may result in blockage of energy flow. TCM theory believes that illnesses are the result of meridian blockage which causes disruption of the flow of Qi. Regulating acu-points can unblock the meridians.

Acupuncture works by inserting fine needles into specific acu-points, by stimulating these points, by opening the blockage, and by eliminating the symptoms. As a system of healing, acupuncture helps the body to speed up its self-healing process. It not only aids to eradicate the signs and symptoms, but also it operates in the direction of the recovery of balance in body, mind and spirit; therefore, to attain physical, mental and social well-being. In short, acupuncture is a holistic approach in addressing physical and mental malfunctions, has been approved to work clinically in treatment of depression and anxiety.

To learn more about this topic, please visit Britannia Acupuncture Clinic.