Acupuncture treatment
While many people rely on Western medicine or relaxation techniques to treat anxiety, others are turning to acupuncture for relief. Acupuncture uses a series of strategically placed needles inserted into the body to establish harmony between the mind and body.
Background
Although traditional medicine treats anxiety as a mental condition, acupuncture treats anxiety as an imbalance of the heart or kidney energies. Over-excitement of the heart energies can create heat in the heart, which causes anxiety or insomnia, according to acupuncture theory. If the kidney's energy is deficient, it can cause the heart to contain too much fire, which rises up and disturbs the mind.
Body Acupuncture
Acupuncture points on the body for the treatment of anxiety focus on the heart, kidney and spleen. Needles may also be placed in the seven energy vortexes (chakras) of the body to settle the spirit.
Auricular Acupuncture
Auricular acupuncture is also used to treat anxiety. This procedure involves inserting needles into the outside of the ears. This form of acupuncture is believed to balance the brain's neurotransmitters and create a feeling of well-being, which eliminates anxiety.
Time Frame
A full acupuncture treatment for anxiety involves both body and auricular acupuncture, and commonly takes between 45 and 60 minutes. A session consisting of auricular acupuncture alone typically takes between 20 and 30 minutes.
Expert Insight
A study done by the Yale University School of Medicine found that auricular acupuncture significantly relieved anxiety in mothers whose children were preparing for surgery. As a result, the children whose mothers received auricular acupuncture also showed significantly less anxiety when being wheeled into the operating room and when the anesthesia mask was put into place.
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