Are you struggling with the constant fear, worry and stress of anxiety? You're not alone. Anxiety affects over 13% of Canadians, but is often covered up as it can be hard to talk about. There's often a perceived stigma to talking about anxiety, or an inner sense that we should be "strong" enough to manage anxiety by ourselves.
Nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, we all experience some level of anxiety from time to time. Stress, life changes, trauma, substance abuse, and genetics can all cause feelings of anxiety. Even great life events create stress, and stress can sometimes build up over time into an overwhelming sense of anxiety.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to pinpoint one specific factor for our anxiety. Anxiety can be related to job-stress or personal issues, but it can always simply be a generalized feeling without any specific cause we can identify.
That doesn't make an anxiety disorder any less difficult, and for some, it becomes debilitating. In addition to feelings of worry or discomfort, anxiety can also cause physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling and difficulty sleeping. It can also lead to social isolation and make it difficult to function in daily life.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to manage your anxiety and reduce its impact on your life. One way to relieve anxiety without medication might surprise you: Acupuncture has been used to treat disorders including anxiety for centuries.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient healing practice that has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. It consists of inserting ultra-thin needles at strategic points on the body to treat physical and mental ailments. Modern western medicine is slowly but surely beginning to understand how acupuncture works, but its effects are still not fully understood.
Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that has been used to treat a wide variety of physical and mental health conditions such as mood disorders, including anxiety. Acupuncture can be an effective tool to reduce symptoms of anxiety and provide the patient with the tools they need to practice self-care and gain control over their mental wellbeing.
How Does Acupuncture Relieve Anxiety?
Acupuncture helps relieve the physical and emotional burden of anxiety by balancing the "qi" or energy flow in the body. It works by promoting relaxation and calming the nervous system, which can reduce feelings of fear or worry. This can help to stimulate and balance energy throughout the body, allowing the body's natural healing power to take effect.
Acupuncture also serves to lower your heart rate and blood pressure by improving the blood flow throughout the body. It may also trigger the release of endorphins or other neurotransmitters that can reduce feelings of distress and lessen the body's stress response to anxiety.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
One of the main attractions of undergoing acupuncture for anxiety is the safety of the procedure. It's non-invasive and completely drug-free, preventing the chance of negative side effects from any medication. The insertion of the acupuncture needles is virtually painless since the needles are so thin.
Most patients report either a very slight pinching sensation or no sensation at all when their needles are being placed. Once in place, the needles unleash the body's own healing process, and removal of the needles after treatment is likewise completely painless.
How Else Can Physiotherapy Help My Anxiety?
In addition to acupuncture treatments, many clinics in Ottawa offer integrated therapies such as hands-on manual therapy, massage and relaxation techniques, and exercise programs which aid in improving overall mental health and helping prevent anxiety from recurring.
These therapies, combined with regular lifestyle changes like getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly and avoiding too much alcohol or caffeine will also go a long way towards managing your anxiety symptom levels.
How Can I Try Acupuncture For My Anxiety?
That's simple! Give the acupuncture professionals at Amped Physiotherapy a call and let them start relieving your anxiety symptoms and improving your quality of life. We're now accepting new patients, so call right away.
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