Anxiety disorders and stress are the most common mental illnesses in the U.S. and Canada, affecting 40 million adults aged 18 and older every year, which is 18.1% of the population. Astonishingly, 25.1% of children between 13 and 18 years old are also affected by anxiety as well (Source). Anxiety is treatable, yet only about half of those affected receive treatment.
Many people around us suffer from this debilitating disorder; which leaves us wondering... what can really be done to help those affected? It is becoming more common for individuals to search for alternative options to treat different health concerns. Having said this, alternative medicine is an ever growing option to try, when seeking treatment for mental health issues. Acupuncture, which is a popular form of traditional Chinese medicine, is known for helping many different health issues, including mental health concerns.
Can Acupuncture relieve Stress and Anxiety?
Causes of Anxiety
It is normal to have feelings of anxiousness, being restless, and getting frazzled from time to time. Anxiety becomes a problem when you regularly feel overly worried, your body gets tense or you feel excessive worry/fear. If these symptoms occur regularly in your life, it may mean that you have an Anxiety Disorder. For those with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can oftentimes get worse over time.
A few common causes of anxiety include:
Too much caffeine
Medication/Weight loss Supplement side effects
Stress (school, work, life)
Drug & Alcohol use
Financial Stress
Emotional Trauma
Thyroid disorders
Neurotransmitter imbalances
How Acupuncture Works
Qi (also known as the body's energy force) regulates the body’s overall health. If there is an imbalance in the flow of Qi, which circulates in pathways called meridians, then health issues arise (like anxiety and stress). When an acupuncturist inserts tiny needles into certain acupuncture points, this results in balancing the body and restoring the balance of Qi. From a Western Medicine perspective, the insertion of Acupuncture needles stimulates the nervous system creating a release of happy hormones like serotonin and endorphins; this helps to balance one's emotional state and well-being.
To learn more about how Acupuncture treats Anxiety and Stress, see Hayley Stobbs' R.Ac. here.
To book an appointment with our acupuncturist at Juniper Family Health please contact the clinic at 778-265-8340 or info@juniperfamilyhealth.com or click here to book online.