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By admin 0 Comments Acupuncture, Electroacupuncture , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Healing with Needles: Acupuncture for Anxiety and Panic Disorders

Can acupuncture be an effective treatment for anxiety and panic disorders in addition to other treatments, like therapy and/or medication?

Acupuncture For Anxiety and Panic Disorders

Considered one of the most popular types of alternative medicine, acupuncture has grown in popularity as a way to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other anxiety disorders. With the growth in popularity, more research has been focused on treatment for panic and anxiety symptoms. (Pilkington K. 2010)

  • Acupuncture can enhance personal wellness.
  • Acupuncture is generally safe and has few side effects.
  • It can help reduce physical and mental symptoms like tension, pain, and rapid heart rate.

Other alternative medicine practices include yoga, therapeutic massage, herbal medicines, and aromatherapy.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture is a healing technique originating from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The practice is based on the concept that medical conditions and mental health disorders are caused by an imbalance in the energy and circulation of the body’s vital life energy, known as chi or qi (National Institute for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2022). When the body and mind function properly, energy flows optimally through the channels/meridians at certain points throughout the body. Like tight or spasming muscles, energy or circulation becomes congested in different meridian pathways, leading to disease or disorders. The goal of acupuncture is to restore the health and balance of these channels.

How It Works

During acupuncture treatment sessions, small needles are placed along specific body areas, known as acupuncture points. These areas are thought to be where energy blockage occurs. The needles, which come in various thicknesses and lengths, stimulate and open blocked energy channels. Experts have conceptualized acupuncture from a neuroscience perspective, where nerves, muscles, and connective tissues are stimulated, and neurochemicals are released.

  • Acupuncture can help regulate the nervous system.
  • It can stimulate the body’s feel-good hormones and reduce stress hormones.
  • It can help deactivate the analytical brain, which is responsible for anxiety and worries.

Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for treating pain management and other medical conditions. (National Institute for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2022)

Effectiveness

Clinical trials examining acupuncture for anxiety and panic disorders have shown some positive results. (Pilkington K. 2010) Acupuncturists and medical professionals are still not clear exactly why it may help with anxiety, but some research has noted that acupuncture appears to have a calming effect. More research studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of acupuncture for anxiety disorders. (Kim Y. K. 2019)

Getting Treated

What it can help with:

  • Agoraphobia
  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
  • Panic disorder
  • Phobias
  • Selective mutism
  • Separation anxiety disorder
  • Social anxiety disorder

If you are interested in treating your anxiety and panic symptoms through acupuncture, the first step is to consult your main healthcare provider. Professional acupuncture practitioners are on websites, including the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. The use of acupuncture continues to rise, making it more readily available. Since it has been evaluated for effectiveness and is available through many hospitals, some insurance policies may cover some acupuncture treatments.

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

Acupuncture can help relieve symptoms of anxiety, stress, pain, discomfort, tightness, and poor circulation. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can help individuals recover and build optimal health and wellness solutions with primary healthcare providers and specialists. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, prevent injury, and help mitigate issues through adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal problems.

Discovering The Benefits of Chiropractic Care

References

Pilkington K. (2010). Anxiety, depression, and acupuncture: A review of the clinical research. Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical, 157(1-2), 91–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2010.04.002

National Institute for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2022). Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety. Retrieved from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-effectiveness-and-safety

Kim Y. K. (2019). Panic Disorder: Current Research and Management Approaches. Psychiatry investigation, 16(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2019.01.08

By admin 0 Comments Chiropractic Care, Sleep Hygiene , , , , , , , , , ,

Say Goodbye to Insomnia & Start Enjoying Quality Sleep

Can individuals with insomnia find various ways to reduce its effects, such as a full night’s rest and promoting healthy sleep habits?

Insomnia

Many people have often struggled to get a full night’s sleep occasionally, as environmental factors can keep them from falling asleep, making them tired throughout the day. In most cases, many individuals sometimes suffer from a chronic condition known as insomnia. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder, whether short-term or chronic, and it can negatively impact a person’s ability to sleep and stay asleep. (Dopheide, 2020) Insomnia can be in two forms: primary and secondary. Primary insomnia is a fairly common condition that can be resolved without treatment, while secondary insomnia is due to medication side effects or neurological issues that are causing sleep issues. Additionally, insomnia can be developed through various environmental factors like genetic variants, early life stress, major life events, and brain functions and structures that can cause individuals to be vulnerable and have insomnia. (Van Someren, 2021) We associate with certified medical providers who inform our patients of the effects of insomnia that can affect the body when they are not getting enough sleep. While asking important questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to incorporate healthy sleeping habits into their treatment plan to reduce insomnia and get proper sleep. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., envisions this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.

How It Affects The Body

So, how does insomnia affect the body and a person’s daily routine? Well, when environmental factors start to impact a person, it can cause overlapping risk profiles in the body that can develop into mental disorders like depression. There is a bi-directional relationship between insomnia and depression, as it can cause sleep alterations that can affect the nervous system and develop into chronic conditions. (Riemann et al., 2020) Some of the symptoms that insomnia can affect the body include: (Naha et al., 2024)

  • Fatigue
  • Memory impairment
  • Cardiovascular disorders
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
  • PTSD
  • Daytime napping

However, there are ways to manage insomnia and reduce the co-morbidities.

Exploring Integrative Medicine-Video

Ways To Manage Insomnia

When managing and treating insomnia, many people must recognize the many environmental factors that can lead to its development. Since insomnia is linked with environmental factors, many people start making small routine changes to mitigate its effects. Many people can start by identifying the disorder and other co-morbidities contributing to its development. (Waterman & Selsick, 2023) This, in turn, helps doctors develop a customized treatment plan to manage their insomnia.

Sleep Habits

One of the ways many people deal with insomnia can begin with changing their sleep habits to help reduce the environmental factors affecting their sleep quality. Some of the changes include:

  • Sleeping on a comfortable mattress
  • Reduce screen time by an hour before bed
  • Maintain a regular sleep and waking schedule
  • Make sure the bedroom is dark, cool, and has minimal noise

Incorporating these small changes in sleeping habits can help reduce the stressors contributing to insomnia.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Another way for individuals to manage their insomnia is by incorporating non-surgical treatments. Non-surgical treatments like mindfulness meditation, chiropractic care, and acupuncture can help many individuals calm the mind and body by combining deep breathing exercises. (Chan et al., 2021) At the same time, the body and muscles can begin to relax and even help stretch out tense muscles that are affected by insomnia. Many people can utilize non-surgical treatments as part of their routine to live healthy lives and have the best quality of sleep they deserve.

References

Chan, N. Y., Chan, J. W. Y., Li, S. X., & Wing, Y. K. (2021). Non-pharmacological Approaches for Management of Insomnia. Neurotherapeutics, 18(1), 32-43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-021-01029-2

Dopheide, J. A. (2020). Insomnia overview: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and monitoring, and nonpharmacologic therapy. Am J Manag Care, 26(4 Suppl), S76-S84. https://doi.org/10.37765/ajmc.2020.42769

Naha, S., Sivaraman, M., & Sahota, P. (2024). Insomnia: A Current Review. Mo Med, 121(1), 44-51. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38404423

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10887463/pdf/ms121_p0044.pdf

Riemann, D., Krone, L. B., Wulff, K., & Nissen, C. (2020). Sleep, insomnia, and depression. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45(1), 74-89. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-019-0411-y

Van Someren, E. J. W. (2021). Brain mechanisms of insomnia: new perspectives on causes and consequences. Physiol Rev, 101(3), 995-1046. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00046.2019

Waterman, L., & Selsick, H. (2023). Insomnia and its treatment should be given more importance. Br J Gen Pract, 73(733), 344-345. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp23X734421

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