Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety or apprehension at times. Sometimes people suffer from excessive dread or panic, even when not in immediate danger. In some cases, the complex cascade of emotional and physical sensations encompassed by the term Anxiety is so pervasive that it becomes a chronic mental health condition.
The coronavirus pandemic has understandably created a pervasive worry among the population. The number of people filling prescriptions for anxiety-related medications, antidepressants and sleep aids has increased dramatically.
How TCM Deals with Anxiety Disorders
Stress is the body’s natural reaction to perceived dangers in the environment. When something threatens us, the sympathetic nervous system kicks into gear. The adrenal glands pump out the hormones that flood the body with energy–the “fight or flight.” response. Usually, once the threat has passed, adrenaline will take some time to move through the body and then disappear. A feeling of relaxation is
eventually restored. When a person has an anxiety disorder, this hormone release can be triggered by thoughts, and the fear of the physical response becomes a part of the chain reaction.
Acupuncture treatment has been shown to act upon the nervous system, facilitating the release of serotonin, endorphins and noradrenaline, all of which contribute to relaxation and a sense of well-being. Stimulation of specific points has been clinically proven to reduce perceived feelings of anxiety and patients’ heart rate and blood pressure. Auricular acupuncture, using points on the ear, is very effective for anxiety or emotional disorders.
Several Chinese herbal medicines can work wonders for anxiety disorders.
Polygonum Root, Jujube Date, Rehmannia Root, Duanwood Reishi, Licorice Root, and Dang Gui Root are the most common herbs. Even though Chinese herbal medicine shares a common usage for anxiety. When prescribed, herbs must be matched with a person’s individual constitution while under direct supervision by a licensed acupuncturist.
❤️ Traditional Chinese medicine for anxiety or mood disorders has been practiced for thousands of years. It is still popular today in both Eastern and Western societies.
