Does acupuncture help with anxiety?

About 40 million people in the United States show signs of anxiety, which refers to severe worry. This condition is difficult to control and has a negative impact on a person's quality of life.

There are many types of anxiety, ranging from morning anxiety to separation anxiety. Depending on the type and severity of anxiety, a doctor prescribes treatment. One of the possible treatment methods is acupuncture.

Acupuncture is an ancient practice in which a specialist inserts thin, long needles throughout the body where the points of greatest pressure are located. In recent years, acupuncture for anxiety has become a fairly popular way to relieve anxiety.

There is a number of scientific proofs of how acupuncture helps with anxiety and helps to cope with certain signs of anxiety. At the same time, scientists are still trying to figure out how acupuncture affects certain types of anxiety, including panic attacks, PTSD, and OCD.

In this article, we will tell you whether acupuncture helps with anxiety and what are its advantages over other types of therapy.

Benefits of acupuncture

Experts have conducted a number of studies on the effect of acupuncture on anxiety. They were mainly aimed at studying generalized anxiety disorder and suggest that acupuncture is useful for treating anxiety in the general sense of this medical term.

In one prospective study conducted in 2015, researchers found that acupuncture was able to minimize symptoms in patients with anxiety, while other therapies such as psychotherapy and medications did not produce positive results. The study participants received 10 acupuncture sessions of 30 minutes each over 12 weeks. As a result, each person experienced a significant reduction in anxiety levels within 10 weeks of starting the test.

At the same time, the results of two previous tests conducted in 2007 and 2013 did not show very encouraging results, as in the first case, not enough people participated in the study, and in the second, the testing process was poorly organized. Meanwhile, reviews of these studies indicate that acupuncture has no effect on people with anxiety disorder.

A study conducted as recently as 2016 involved acupuncture points for anxiety in rats. During this testing, it was found that it gave a positive result in reducing the degree of anxiety in rodents. Scientists have suggested that pressure on certain points of the body can trigger the body's response to combat the problem.

Nevertheless, we need to understand how acupuncture and anxiety, as well as panic attacks and various phobias, affect each other. According to experts, acupuncture has shown itself to be a promising and safe option for treating anxiety in humans. If you suffer from an anxiety disorder that does not respond to other treatments and you want to try alternative therapies, acupuncture will be the best solution that will not worsen your symptoms but will greatly reduce them.

Are there any risks with acupuncture?

While acupuncture will not worsen anxiety, it can cause some side effects and risks. By contacting a licensed acupuncture specialist, you can avoid the unpleasant consequences of such therapy. In the United States, the process of obtaining a license depends on which state you want to get it in, but in most cases, the applicant will be required to pass an exam with the National Commission for Certification in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

The main side effect of acupuncture is painful discomfort after the session. The pain goes away in a few hours, although the needles can leave blue spots on the body. People with a low pain threshold may experience severe pain when needles are inserted under the skin.

Licensed acupuncturists use only disposable sterile needles. If the doctor does not comply with such requirements, he or she can introduce a life-threatening infection to the patient. The Mayo Clinic reports that such cases are quite rare if you go to an experienced certified therapist.

There are also a number of diseases and conditions that do not allow the use of acupuncture:

• the presence of a pacemaker;
• hemophilia (a genetic disease in which a person's blood does not clot).

In addition, it is important not only to be treated with acupuncture, but also to fulfill other prescriptions of the therapist for taking medications. You should not interrupt treatment without the consent of your doctor.

How does an acupuncture session work?

At the first meeting with a therapist, he or she will ask about your symptoms, find out what medications you are taking, how you feel, and take a medical history. At the same time, you can also ask the specialist any questions you are interested in regarding the process and effectiveness of acupuncture.

During the session, the therapist will insert long, thin needles into various places in your body that should be under pressure. Depending on the number of such points, the procedure can last from 10 to 30 minutes. The specialist can also rotate the needles or apply an electrical impulse to them. After 20 minutes, the needles are slowly removed.

Most likely, you will not feel immediate relief, because it will take several such sessions to get a tangible result. Their number is determined by the doctor. Many people experience improvements after the first procedure, but most changes occur gradually.

The essence of acupuncture procedures

Acupuncture sessions can be an effective way to treat anxiety disorders. Today, additional research is still being conducted on this method of therapy, but according to general indicators, it shows positive results without exacerbating anxiety symptoms in patients.

Make sure your acupuncturist has the appropriate license to practice medicine. Also, follow your doctor's other prescriptions and use other alternative ways to treat anxiety, such as meditation, special breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques, which can help reduce stress levels and improve your overall well-being.

For more information on alternative and medical treatments for anxiety, visit our website.