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Juntendo Clinic

515 E. Golf Rd., Suite 108

Arlington Heights, IL 60005 US

847-290-8339

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  • Acupuncture for Anxiety

Acupuncture for Anxiety

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Relaxing acupuncture

How Acupuncture Can Help Anxiety

It's difficult to enjoy life and truly live in the moment when you often feel anxious. Whether you struggle with social situations, relive past experiences, or find it impossible to stop worrying, acupuncture can help you calm your mind.

Acupuncture Offers a Natural Antidote to Anxiety

Anxiety is a common reaction when you're stressed or encounter a difficult or frightening situation. The adrenaline surge you feel when you're anxious is part of the "flight or fight" response that prepares you to tackle a problem or run away and hide. While anxiety can be helpful if you're facing an attacker or running from a bear, it can become debilitating if it becomes a frequent problem.

If you have anxiety, your fight or flight response may seem to be stuck in the "on" position. You may constantly feel nervous and tense or worry about problems that may or may not happen in the future. Depending on the type of anxiety you have, you might also:

  • Have panic attacks
  • Experience flashbacks to frightening experiences
  • Develop obsessions, such as frequent handwashing or constantly reorganizing your kitchen
  • Dread social situations or making speeches

Constant anxiety can cause headaches, migraines, upset stomach and high blood pressure and may affect your ability to think, remember and make decisions.

Acupuncture Offers a Natural Way to Combat Anxiety

Tranquilizers and other medications may help you feel calmer, although the medications can cause side effects that make you feel dizzy or nauseated. Fortunately, acupuncture can improve your anxiety without any side effects.

Hair-thin needles placed in your skin during acupuncture treatments remove blockages of Qi, a life force that travels through your body through a series of pathways called meridians. The treatment correct imbalances that cause or contribute to anxiety. Although you may notice an improvement after your first visit, you'll need to continue to receive treatments to enjoy the full benefits of acupuncture.

Acupuncture can help you manage your anxiety by:

  • Quieting the Brain's Anxiety Center. Acupuncture has a positive effect on the somatosensory cortex, a part of the brain that may be more active than normal in people who have anxiety symptoms.
  • Keeping Stress Hormones Under Control. When you're feeling stressed, your levels of adrenaline and cortisol rise. If these levels remain elevated, it can be difficult to relax. Acupuncture balances these hormones, helping you feel calm and in control. In a study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, researchers reported that study participants showed an improvement in anxiety symptoms and a decrease in morning salivary cortisol levels after acupuncture and electroacupuncture levels.
  • Increasing Production of Endorphins and Serotonin. Your treatments will activate natural chemicals that have a beneficial effect on anxiety. Endorphins relieve pain and help you relax, while serotonin acts as a mood stabilizer and also makes you feel calm and happy.
  • Trigger the Relaxation Response. Activating the parasympathetic nervous system with acupuncture turns on the relaxation response, which stops the fight or flight response and helps you feel calmer.
  • Improving Sleep. It's difficult to sleep when you're worried or anxious. Unfortunately, lack of sleep can make you feel more anxious and affect concentration, memory and your ability to learn. Thanks to the relaxing effects of acupuncture, you may find it easier to fall asleep.

Ready to find out if acupuncture could help you? Contact our office to schedule your first appointment.

Sources:

NCBI: Frontiers in Psychiatry: The Altered Somatic Brain Network in State Anxiety, 2019

Annals of General Psychiatry: Effectiveness of Acupuncture on Anxiety Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, 1/30/21

Science Direct: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice: Electroacupuncture and Acupuncture in the Treatment of Anxiety – A Double Blinded Randomized Parallel Clinical Trial, 2/2022

Psychology Today: Acupuncture for Anxiety, 10/30/18

Anxiety & Depression Association of America: Generalized Anxiety Disorder

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Monday:

2:00 pm-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

5:00 am-7:00 pm

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10:00 am-4:00 pm

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Testimonials

  • "Earlier this year, I woke up one day with extreme pain in my right shoulder. After a trip to the emergency room and an orthopedic surgeon appointment, it was discovered that I had calcific tendinopathy. The diagnosis was that I would need to be in a shoulder immobilizer for 3-4 months for painful rehab and months of harsh prescription medications. This is when I consulted with Dr. Kari and Kimberley. After the first treatment, I was able to remover the shoulder immobilizer. By the third treatment, I was back at full strength. I owe my ability to enjoy my summer to Juntendo Clinic and recommend Dr. Kari and Kimberly to everyone I speak with."
    C.F.
  • "I came to see Dr. Kari one year ago due to infertility. Dr. Kari used her knowledge and experience to help me have two healthy boys. I also did acupuncture throughout my pregnancy and that helped me stay energized and maintain a healthy pregnancy."
    J.H.
  • "Thank you so very much for treating my lower back pain caused by the sciatica nerve. The pain is completely gone. I would also like to thank you for being so thoughtful and concerned about my health."
    M.J.
  • "Acupuncture has helped me in many ways. No medical treatments helped me get pregnant, but acupuncture helped. Also I am more relaxed. Acupuncture brought light into my life. I got a beautiful daughter and I cannot be more thankful to Dr. Kari."
    Z.B.
  • "I believe acupuncture treatment helped me greatly to have a successful pregnancy. Especially going through a year of treatment."
    M.A.
  • "Helped with headaches, bloating, heartburn, and acupuncture has really helped with morning sickness. I started coming to the clinic in early this year. Dr. Ye has been a god send to me."
    E.P.
  • "Have a lot of confidence in Dr. Ye's knowledge and skills. Would refer others to Juntendo. Office is very clean / hygenic. Staff is professional and people oriented. Dr. Ye is very personable. I am very pleased with Juntendo."
    A.E. / Arlington Heights, IL

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