Constant deadlines, financial struggles, relationship problems — generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) makes you worry and stress about almost everything. Nearly 7 million Americans suffer from GAD, and some find relief from psychotherapy and medication.
If you’d rather find a drug-free way to treat GAD and the physical symptoms it causes, such as headaches and digestive issues, you’ve come to the right place.
At Earthy Ruby in Cupertino, California, our licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioners use acupuncture to reduce stress and anxiety. As an alternative to conventional Western medicine, we offer proven holistic treatments that naturally promote healing and wellness. Here’s how acupuncture addresses stress and anxiety.
How Western medicine treats anxiety
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, about 40 million people suffer from some form of an anxiety disorder. To make matters worse, the global pandemic heaped on unprecedented levels of stress that significantly impacted about 78% of Americans.
Unchecked, that stress and anxiety can lead to serious emotional and physical consequences. The prevailing approach to anxiety is talk therapy, which can take months or years to produce results, or medication, which can lead to negative side effects.
For those who don’t find relief from these treatments or who would simply rather find a safer, faster method, there’s acupuncture.
How acupuncture reduces anxiety
Acupuncture is a safe and proven traditional Chinese medicine technique that can reduce stress and anxiety significantly, beginning with your first session.
While you rest comfortably on our padded table, we expertly insert extremely thin needles just under the surface of your skin. By targeting strategic points, we can effectively rebalance disruptions in your body’s Qi (pronounced chee).
Qi is a continually flowing energy source that travels throughout your body. When internal or external forces like stress interfere with your Qi, you feel the effects mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Acupuncture needles trigger your body to decrease the stress hormone called cortisol and increase endorphins, also known as the “feel good hormones.”
Studies also show that acupuncture can reduce blood pressure by activating distinct regions of your brain and regulating certain neurotransmitters, and that acupuncture is especially effective in treatment-resistant anxiety disorders.
Acupuncture doesn’t hurt
If the thought of needles causes you stress, we’re here to put your mind at ease. The needles we use are so incredibly thin that most people don’t feel them at all. Some of our patients even say the needles feel relaxing. Although you may experience some mild aching sensations during your treatment, those feelings quickly dissipate.
There’s no need to schedule any down time after your treatment, and you’re free to go about your daily routine as soon as you leave our office. Many people report instant reduction in their stress and anxiety levels, and others say it takes a few days for the results to kick in.
If acupuncture works for you, you may need a couple of sessions to reap the full benefits, so schedule some maintenance appointments to keep anxiety and stress at bay for good.
To find out if you’re a good candidate for acupuncture, call our office, or book an appointment online today.