With more than 40 million American adults currently experiencing symptoms of anxiety, it is clear that the need for treatment is dire. For those who do not wish to rely solely on medication for their symptoms, acupuncture for anxiety may be the alternative treatment they are looking for.
How does acupuncture work to treat anxiety? To explain that, first we must look at how acupuncture functions as a whole.
Understanding Acupuncture
To begin, it’s important to understand that acupuncture functions on the premise of the Yin and the Yang. As we know, the Yin and Yang represent how seemingly opposite forces actually work together to create harmony. In the Yin Yang symbol, there is black within the white and white within the black, which means that each is its own entity, yet they need each other to function. They nurture and move each other. When Yin and Yang are separated, there is no more life force, or Qi (pronounced Chee).
From the perspective of acupuncture for anxiety, we have Qi and blood in the body. Qi is simply energy. Blood is not necessarily blood, but more generally fluid within the body. When there is an excess or a deficiency in the body—in other words, if there is an imbalance in the Qi or blood—that’s when the body starts to show symptoms. Acupuncture and herbal medicine seek to move the Qi and blood to rebalance these excesses and deficiencies.
Finding the Root Cause
In acupuncture, there are 12 meridians that correspond to the 12 organs of the body (some of these meridian/organ pairs are share names). Acupuncturists use the meridians and organs of the body to guide them in how they treat their patients. Unlike western medicine, which treats symptoms, Traditional Chinese Medicine treats the root cause.
Why is it important to treat the root cause? Here’s why.
Let’s say we have three different people with anxiety symptoms. The reason that I can’t say that there is a definitive acupuncture for anxiety treatment is because even though these three people have anxiety symptoms, the root cause might be different. When the root cause changes, the treatment must also change.
How Mind and Soul Therapy Applies Acupuncture for Anxiety
At Mind & Soul Therapy, we treat the root cause, so one patient’s treatment plan might look different from another even if they share symptoms. We treat the body as a whole and blend eastern and western traditions in our approach. Our “east meets west” approach is what differentiates us from other acupuncture and therapy clinics. If you are tired of going from treatment to treatment without results, Mind & Soul Therapy is here to help.
If you want to learn more about how acupuncture for anxiety might look for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. To begin, we will discuss your symptoms and then devise a treatment plan based on your specific needs.