There are a number of ways to manage anxiety and stress; however, more and more individuals are accessing acupuncture to calm their distressed nerves. Acupuncture stimulates the natural feel-good hormones of the body and lowers the level of stress hormones such as cortisol. Research shows that acupuncture for anxiety is an effective treatment, with fewer side effects compared to medications.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is essentially an old-fashioned practice that involves sticking needles into certain pressure points of the body. It is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative anxiety treatment. Scientific evidence shows that acupuncture assists with particular symptoms of anxiety. Nevertheless, scientists are still attempting to figure out the effect of acupuncture on particular types of anxiety like obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Anxiety, a number of studies have been done regarding the effects of this treatment on anxiety. The focus of these studies has mainly been centered on generalized anxiety disorder and indicate that acupuncture is useful in the treatment of general anxiety.
In 2015, a promising study revealed that acupuncture advanced symptoms in individuals with anxiety that did not respond to other treatments like medication and psychotherapy. For 12 weeks, research participants got ten 30-minute sessions of acupuncture. These individuals experienced a major reduction in their anxiety, up to 10 weeks post treatment.
In 2016, a study on rats revealed that acupuncture was effective in reducing anxiety. The scientists found that it impacts the way the body activates the fight-or-flight response. Better understanding of its impact on panic attacks, anxiety and phobias is needed; however, research is revealing promise for acupuncture as a safe and viable alternative. If your anxiety disorder has not responded to other treatment techniques or you simply have an interest in trying something new, your symptoms could be helped by acupuncture.
Is Any Risk Involve?
While acupuncture will not worsen anxiety, it comes with a few possible risks and side effects. Most of these can be avoided by ensuring you use the services of a licensed acupuncturist. In the U. S., the requirements for licensing vary from state to state; however, most require sitting an authorized examination.
After a session, the main side effect experienced by individuals who undergo acupuncture treatment is soreness. Typically, this goes away in the space of a few hours, although some amount bruising could also remain for a little while. In addition, some individuals experience pinpricks of pain while in a session
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