Anxiety and Acupuncture: Bringing Slowness to the Racing Mind

It's quite the understatement to say that we as a society have cultivated a fast-paced, heart-racing culture that has only expanded since our inception. It's estimated that around 19% of the U.S. population (or roughly 42 million Americans) struggling with some form of anxiety, making it the most commonly diagnosed mental illness in the country.

While there are so many modern treatments to help us cope with this relentless, sometimes debilitating condition, many are turning to traditional methods to help them on their journey to slowness and peace. Acupuncture has remained one of the most popular forms of alternative anxiety treatment methods in the entire world, and today we're exploring how this form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help calm your nervous system.

How Does it Work?

According to TCM, Acupuncture helps to restore the flow of Qi throughout the body in order to bring peace to the entire organism. Typically, anxiety is associated with one's QI facing stagnation, rebellion, and even deficiency, rather than it being able to flow freely like it needs to in order for harmony to be restored to the system. Here are a few conditions within TCM that are associated with an incorrect or ineffective flow of Qi and anxiety:

• Liver Qi Stagnation: This is typically caused by trapped stress in one's energy, leading to blockages that lead to chest tightness, frustration and irritability.

• Qi Rebellion: This is caused by one's Qi flowing upwards when it should be flowing down. This can lead to the racing heart, jitters and even panic attacks that some with anxiety struggle with.

• Heart and Spleen Deficiency: Caused when energy reserves are low and fail to anchor the mind (Shen). This could lead a patient to feel restless, worried, and fatigued.

Here are a few specific ways in which Acupuncture can set your body up for success when it comes to addressing your anxiety:

• Regulating your nervous system through stimulating various sensory nerves and activating the parasympathetic nervous system

• Lowering stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline

• Releasing endorphins, serotonin, dopamine to bring happiness and peacefu

What Your Session Will Look Like

We understand that just scheduling an appointment can cause anxiety for some patients, so we're here to help calm any nerves surrounding medical appointments. Our appointments can be made either via phone call or online to help folks who may experience nervousness over the phone. When you book, you'll be emailed your New Patient paperwork. If you're able to fill this out prior to your appointment, that would be must appreciated!

When you arrive, you'll be checked in by our Patient Care Coordinator. They'll ensure your New Patient paperwork is filled out, and afterwards, they'll escort you to your treatment room. Each room is designed with peace and nervous system regulation in mind, and we encourage our patients to sit back and relax prior to their appointment time.

At your appointment time, you'll have a brief consultation before your appointment begins. She'll ask you more about your medical history, what you're coming to treatment for, and any ways she can support you along your journey. She will also walk through with you the specifics of your treatment. These are different for every patient, and we encourage you to ask questions along the way should any arise.

When the needles are in place and you're comfortable on the treatment table, you'll have 20-30 minutes of relaxation space, with aromatherapy, microcurrent, and the soothing sounds of blissful meditation to guide you. This time is for you: relax, unwind, incorporate peaceful breathing methods to help you achieve this needed moment of stillness in your chaotic life. This is where the magic happens, and it's all thanks to you.

After this time, your needles are removed and you have a moment to marinate in the bliss before you leave the treatment room. You may have massage or cupping therapy as part of your treatment at this time, depending on the way your body carries tension. Once you've checked out with our Patient Care Coordinator, you are feel to bring this sensation of pure euphoria into the rest of your day.

Final Notes

We want to emphasize the importance of seeking mental health support from a licensed professional first and foremost, and we encourage you to ask your provider questions about how Acupuncture can be an asset to your healing along the way.

We hope you've enjoyed this post! We understand the debilitating effects anxiety can have on our daily lives, and Wildflower is here to support you through navigating this difficult time. We hope to see you in our chair soon.

With love,

The Wildflowers