Does Acupuncture Therapy Treat Anxiety?

Depression is defined as "a vague, unpleasant and sometimes debilitating emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some misfortune". Although a lot of people feel depressed in certain circumstances, the causes why they feel the way they do are usually hard to identify. Many people can tell when they feel anxious. What is difficult to tell is why the depression has such a strong hold in their regular life.

The cause of anxiety has been studied for decades. There are many reasons for feeling the way that you do. First of all, it is important to understand which form of anxiety disorder you may have. Researchers have been investigating the impact of anxiety on the brain, and have found that a chemical imbalance may have occurred in the brain.

The emotions we experience depend on the release and reuptake of neurotransmitters in the brain. Anxious feeling is triggered by an imbalance of specific chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine. When we feel anxious, our brains releases or absorbs chemicals either too fast or too slowly. If left unattended, a chemical imbalance may become more severe as time goes by.

Medications, such as Paxil and Effexor, are most commonly used treatments for chemical imbalance in the brain. These medications are believed to have a direct effect on key neurotransmitters. Although these medications work in about 60% of the patients, patients who use them often experience a variety of side effects. Acupuncture has long been used to treat emotional problems, and is proved to be a powerful tool for management of depression and anxiety.

Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), human body has fourteen channels called meridians. Meridians formulate a network along the body that carries a life energy called Qi. TCM theory believes that Qi can be nourished. Along the energy channels lie many points called acu-points. Each acu-point may be considered as a switch controlling the flow of energy. Malfunction of these switches may result in blockage of energy flow. TCM theory believes that illnesses are the result of meridian blockage which causes disruption of the flow of Qi. Regulating acu-points can unblock the meridians.

Acupuncture works by inserting fine needles into specific acu-points, by stimulating these points, by opening the blockage, and by eradicating the symptoms. As an approach of healing, acupuncture aids the body to speed up its self-healing process. It not only facilitates to eradicate the signs and symptoms, but also it works in the direction of the recovery of balance in body, mind and spirit; therefore, to realize physical, mental and social well-being. In short, acupuncture is a holistic method in addressing physical and mental problems, has been approved to be clinically effective in treatment of depression and anxiety.