Acupuncture for Mental Health Disorders

What is stress?

While sometimes inconvenient, stress is our body’s natural response to situations or stimuli that seem too much to handle or take on.  Whether real or perceived (think public speaking or first dates), stress leads to physical symptoms that prepare us to respond appropriately to danger- but when the threat of danger is not real, these symptoms are inconvenient. (1)

Some physical symptoms of stress can include: (1)

• Fast breathing
• Fast heart rate and higher blood pressure
• Muscle tension/tightness
• Nausea* In the fight or flight response, the body prepares to flee or fight, which means blood is moved away from the stomach to be available for the lungs and the heart.  
• Increased alertness and awareness, which allows you to sense potential danger

There are two types of stress- acute and chronic. Acute stress, associated with more immediate situations, such as public speaking or tests, often ends shortly after the event. Chronic stress, however, develops over time, such as when dealing with dysfunctional family dynamics or difficult marital situations.  This prolonged stress can cause the person to lose the desire or energy to continue seeking solutions, which can further prompt a cascade of other mental health concerns. (1)

What is anxiety?

While many people think of stress and anxiety as the same thing, they are not.  Anxiety occurs in response to stress and leads to constant worrying, which- like stress can cause physical symptoms, such as a racing heartbeat, faster breathing, and trembling.  While anxiety can come and go, some people have anxiety that disrupts regular activities and everyday life- which is known as an anxiety disorder. (2)

And, like stress- there are different types of anxiety disorders.  Some people deal with generalized anxiety, which manifests as anxiety over non-threatening things.  While others have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a form of anxiety in which the person can get some relief through ritualistic activities, such as repetitive handwashing or checking things. And then, there is also panic disorder and agoraphobia (a fear of leaving one’s home). (2)

Acupuncture for anxiety and stress relief 

Acupuncture, an ancient tradition in Chinese medicine, involves inserting thin needles into various parts of the body to unblock any Qi (energy) that may have become stagnant due to stress, environmental factors, stress, and poor nutrition. (3)  

While the exact reasons acupuncture works are primarily unknown, scientific evidence has shown that acupuncture effectively alleviates some anxiety symptoms. (4)

Relevant Resources:

1. Stress: Why does it happen, and how can we manage it? (medicalnewstoday.com)
2. Anxiety: Symptoms, Types, Causes & More (healthline.com)
3. Why Acupuncture Works for Anxiety Relief - Everyday Health
4. Acupuncture for Anxiety: Benefits, Side Effects, and What to Expect (healthline.com)
5. Acupuncture for Anxiety — Morningside Acupuncture NYC