How can acupuncture be used as a tool for anxiety?

Acupuncture Stress relief Wellness

How can acupuncture be used as a tool for anxiety?

Anxiety is an emotional response to stress where you may feel fearful, worried or apprehensive about something.

Written by:

Charlie Ransom McCarrick

Published

14.02.2025

How can acupuncture be used as a tool for anxiety?

Anxiety is an emotional response to stress where you may feel fearful, worried or apprehensive about something. Feelings of dread or panic, irrational or racing thoughts are common for those with anxiety. Anxiety sufferers will avoid certain situations or people to prevent an anxiety episode. It can also manifest as physical changes in the body such as muscle tension, shallow breathing, increased heart rate, sweating and shaking.

Acupuncture can be incredibly effective at relieving anxiety symptoms. Acupuncture for anxiety works by:

Down-regulating the body’s stress response by balancing neurotransmitters and hormones.
Stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system to initiate the relaxation response.
Calming the frontal lobe of the brain, responsible for analysing things and responsible for anxiety and worries.
Regulating the release of inflammatory markers and chemicals which are associated with anxiety.
Reversing the effects of stress-induced behavioural and biochemical changes that are triggered when someone experiences anxiety.

Most anxiety-sufferers respond well to acupuncture and find it a very effective modality to use as part of their treatment plan. The number of acupuncture sessions you’ll require depends on your personal constitution, medical history, the severity and occurrence of your anxiety and how quickly your body responds to the acupuncture treatment.