We've all felt it before- suddenly our heart races and we begin to panic. Or it feels like there is a frog in your throat. Anxiety- a very common disorder, can be mild or debilitating. Work, relationships, and overall quality of life can be negatively impacted if anxiety is not managed.
Some of the most common symptoms of anxiety include:
- Feelings of unease, worry or fear
- Inability to relax
- Insomnia
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
Feeling these symptoms once in a while is normal. However, when they start to interfere with your day-to-day functioning and happen consistently, it might be a sign of deeper issues such as phobias, panic disorders, post-traumatic stress, or a generalized social anxiety.
Mainstream treatments for anxiety include psychotherapy and certain medications. If you're looking to try an alternative to traditional therapy that is drug free and has very little side effects, acupuncture might be for you.
How does acupuncture work for anxiety?
Quite simply, acupuncture works by regulating the central nervous system, thereby releasing "feel good" hormones called endorphins. Endorphins act as the body's natural painkillers, which can help calm the mind promote an overall feeling of well-being.
Acupuncture also has profound effects on releasing tense muscles. Often times when we are anxious the first physical response our body has is to tense up, resulting in very tight muscles. When our muscles are relaxed our mind becomes more relaxed as well.
Furthermore, clinical research has shown acupuncture's positive effects on treating anxiety. For example, a 2007 study found that the patients in the trial receiving acupuncture felt less anxious, less depressed, had fewer cravings for substances and were better able to resolve difficulties than the control group.
If you're wondering whether acupuncture might be right for treating your anxiety, call us at 732-889-9228 to talk further.