Acupuncture for Anxiety: How it Helps You De-Stress

Do you suffer from anxiety? You’re not alone. It’s the most common mental illness in Australia, with over 2 million people experiencing some form of it every year. 

Anxiety manifests itself in many ways – it’s different for everyone. Common symptoms include insomnia, racing thoughts, headaches, heart palpitations and restlessness. And many people experience a combination of these, as well as other symptoms. 

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You’ve probably tried to calm your nerves in various ways. Maybe through exercise, healthy eating, medication and/or meditating. Sometimes these work, sometimes not – anxiety can be hard to beat.

Have you had limited success treating your anxiety? Many patients are now trying acupuncture for anxiety because it’s an effective way to treat mood disorders and stress.

Acupuncture for anxiety

What is acupuncture? Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese tradition and medical practice that works to realign vital energies (Qi, Yin and Yang) to improve overall health.

Anxiety, in particular, is an imbalance of the heart and kidney energies. Acupuncture works to bring back balance to these organs and improve energy flow. 

Acupuncturists also work to:

  • Stimulate the part of your brain in control of emotional wellbeing (amygdala)

  • Lower cortisol levels to reduce the body’s stress response

  • Increase serotonin and dopamine (feel-good chemicals) in the brain

  • Increase oxygen and blood flow 

How does acupuncture improve symptoms of anxiety?

There are many studies on acupuncture. One study shows how acupuncture reduces the production of stress hormones, creating a better sense of calm. Another shows evidence of how acupuncture reduces symptoms of insomnia. 

Much like chiropractic, acupuncture works to restore the connection between mind and body. As everyone experiences anxiety differently, the benefits of acupuncture vary. 

Benefits you may experience as a result of acupuncture:

  • Reduced stress

  • Better sleep

  • Increased mental clarity

  • Improved energy

  • Reduced severity and frequency of headaches

  • A feeling of wellbeing

Some of our patients feel an improved sense of wellbeing after just a few sessions, others feel it works best in tandem with other treatment plans.

What to expect at your first session?

Your acupuncturist will ask you a few questions about your mental and physical health, inspect your tongue to reveal disharmonies in the body and feel your pulse. They will then propose a treatment plan. Generally, this is a minimum of 6-12 weeks. 

Your acupuncturist will ask you to lie on a massage-like table. Very fine single-use, sterile needles are gently inserted into the skin – don’t worry, it doesn't hurt. The needles are kept in the skin for a period of time then carefully removed.

Tried other anxiety treatments to no avail? With no nasty side effects, acupuncture is definitely worth a try. 

Think it’s time you finally try acupuncture for anxiety?


Ignite Communications WA