Adult anxiety is becoming increasingly common in a world that seems to be changing faster and moving more out of control than previously. Whether it’s because we are under too much strain from our jobs and parenting in nuclear families, to the relentless stream of news stories we’re exposed to, to microdramas on social media and in our families and friend groups, many of us are pulled in too many directions and feeling more anxious than previously.
Thankfully Chinese medicine is a gentle but highly effective way to calm anxiety. Read along to find out the THREE ways that acupuncture and herbal medicine can help to reduce anxiety.
As acupuncturists we can tell from feeling your pulse and looking at your tongue what the root cause is for your anxiety, and work to rebalance your body so that your anxiety is really reduced.
Anxiety Due to Exhaustion
Some of us become anxious when our life has demanded too much of us for too long. Whether that’s a prolonged illness, a work environment that is too demanding, an overly busy travel schedule, overtraining from an athletic perspective, or caring for family members with not enough care for us, it’s easy to become depleted and have that depletion result in anxiety.
When your acupuncturist finds that you’re anxious due to exhaustion, you’ll receive gentle acupuncture at strengthening acupuncture points to help your body rebuild. You’ll likely receive moxibustion, which is a strengthening warming treatment, and you’ll receive herbal medicine that is both calming for the nervous system as well as nutrient and energy rich to help your system build back up.
Anxiety Due to High Stress Environments
At times we start experiencing anxiety because our body gets so stuck in a high stress mode that tension mounts in the diaphragm and torso, we stop breathing deeply, and we lose our flow. Acupuncture can be used to break up the mid-body tension, enable deep breathing, enable relaxation and a switch from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest” mode. Herbal medicine can support this circulation of energy and reduce stress and anxiety.
Anxiety Due to Overthinking
From a Chinese medical perspective, when we are overthinking, using our brain too much, or overanalyzing/ruminating, we can weaken our digestive system and subsequently experience anxiety. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can both be useful to restore digestive function and in turn support the reduction of anxiety.
Anxiety Due to Hormonal Transitions
Sometimes anxiety pops up to hormonal transitions – whether it’s a monthly cycling or the hormonal transitions of entering puberty or going through perimenopause. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used to regularize the hormonal flow and reduce anxiety so that emotions remain more even and more in control throughout the transitional phase.
If you’re struggling to manage your anxiety, call us at Inspire Family Acupuncture to find out if acupuncture and herbal medicine are the right path for you.
