32 healthy male came to me for anxiety disorders and headaches. Chief Complaint: Since the recent passing of his grandparents, he had difficulty being alone in his apartment and had daily stress headaches. He took NSAID Motrin several times a day. He also had chronic sinusitis.Lot of my patients need to be educated if Acupuncture is effective for Anxiety. I present this case along with few research discussion to help my patients understand that Acupuncture does help with Anxiety issues that could be triggered by different medical conditions.
Treatment process: He had acupuncture at twice a week for 14 visits. Each treatment immediately relieved pain, anxiety, and sinus congestion. From the 4th visit, he was able to mostly reduce NSAID. However, his anxiety, headache, and sinusitis had only improved incrementally on a weekly basis. Each treatment was immediately helpful, but the relief lasted up to one or two days.
Discussion: Being emotionally hypersensitive from childhood, he had a life-long propensity for high anxiety, leading to frequent headaches. Two years ago, he came in for the same problems. With 10 acupuncture treatments in 3 months, his symptoms were much better. His propensity for worrying and anxiety easily triggered and aggravated the anxiety and headache. Acupuncture was helpful, but he needed to learn the tool of meditation and mindfulness so that he does not allow the problems to be unmanageable.
How can Acupuncture help with Anxiety?
Acupuncture is an ancient traditional Chinese practice that has gained importance in recent years as an alternative treatment for anxiety. Much scientific evidence proves that acupuncture can help with certain symptoms of anxiety. Acupuncture involves inserting sterile needles into specific pressure points on your body. According to Chinese medicine, meridians are channels that allow a constant flow of energy into the body, and in disease conditions like anxiety, depression or any other ailment, these channels are congested and cause blockage of energy. Acupuncture can help maintain a constant flow of energy through these channels and thus help prevent the disease.
Acupuncture is relatively safe and risk-free and unlike some medications that produce its effect after a prolonged time, the effect of acupuncture can be felt immediately and help with anxiety symptoms.
Is Acupuncture effective for anxiety: Science and research
A case study named Acupuncture for Anxiety. Different approaches have beneficial effects.1 that involved 36 anxiety patients who were found to be mildly depressed were treated with an acupuncture protocol that was traditionally practiced by Chinese medical practitioners to treat anxiety. The effectiveness of acupuncture therapy was determined by measuring Heart rate variability (HRV) and mean heart rate. After the completion of the therapy, the result was found to be very effective, showing a significant reduction in the overall anxiety by changing autonomic activity. To summarize, effectiveness of Acupuncture therapy for anxiety is well documented.
Outcome: Good
A systematic review named Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for anxiety disorders: A systematic review of the clinical research.2 was carried out to know the effectiveness of acupuncture. In the study, three different types of acupuncture were carried out which included traditional (body) acupuncture, ear acupuncture (auriculotherapy), and electro-therapy. The study revealed that acupuncture is used along with the prescription of anti-anxiety medications can bring significant effects in reducing the anxiety disorders.
Outcome: Good
It has been found through various clinical trials that acupuncture therapies used are proved to bring symptomatic relief to patients suffering from anxiety disorders.
Reference
James.L Acupuncture for Anxiety. Different approaches have beneficial effects.(2018). Psychology today.
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for anxiety disorders: A systematic review of the clinical research, Amorim et al. Comp Therapies Clin Practice, 2018.Epub 2018 Jan 31.
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