Are you having difficulty coping with your anxious thoughts, fears and stress? You aren’t the only one. Anxiety has an effect on one of every eight Canadians, but it’s often brushed aside as it can be difficult to discuss. There’s sometimes a negative image associated with talking about anxiety, or an inner belief that we should be sufficiently “tough” to manage our worries on our own.
Quite the opposite is true. In fact, all of us contend with some amount of anxiety at certain points in our lives. Factors such as stress, lifestyle changes, trauma, drug dependency, and heredity all have the potential to cause distress. Even positive events have the power to give rise to stress which can eventually balloon into an oppressive feeling of anxiety.
Pinpointing the origins of our anxiety may be complicated. It can stem from worries about our job or other personal problems, but sometimes we may simply feel anxious for no reason that is readily identifiable.
Even though there’s no particular cause for it, an anxiety disorder can still be extremely difficult; indeed, it could even become crippling. In addition to feelings of fear and uneasiness, symptoms such as sweating, shaking and sleeping issues can appear. Moreover, anxiety might cause social detachment and make typical daily activities harder.
Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to control your anxiety and minimize its effects on your life. You may be surprised to know that acupuncture has been used for centuries to treat illnesses such as anxiety – it’s a natural way of finding relief without medication.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years as a way to heal physical and mental issues. While modern western medicine has yet to completely understand it, we’re beginning to comprehend how it works.
In acupuncture therapies, very thin needles are inserted at specific areas on the body. It can help to decrease the background levels of anxiety and give patients the resources needed to take care of themselves and gain control over their mental well-being.
How Does Acupuncture Relieve Anxiety?
Anxiety may be alleviated both emotionally and physically through acupuncture, which works by balancing a person’s “qi” or flow of energy throughout the body. Relaxation is encouraged and the nervous system is soothed – this can lead to a decrease in fear or worry.
The body’s energy is regulated and stimulated with an acupuncture session, permitting the body to heal itself naturally. Blood pressure decreases and heart rate slows down because of better-regulated blood circulation around the body. Endorphins as well as other types of neurotransmitters are set loose that lessen distress and modify how one reacts to anxiousness.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
The primary appeal of using acupuncture to ease anxiety is its safety. It involves no medication and is non-invasive, so the chance of having negative side effects from drugs is eliminated.
When the thin needles are inserted into the body, there is rarely any sensation – at worst a mild pinching feeling. After placement, the insertion induces the body’s natural healing process and taking out the needles after treatment causes no pain either.
How Else Can Physiotherapy Help My Anxiety?
Apart from acupuncture, many clinics in Ottawa offer integrative treatments like manual therapy, massage, relaxation techniques and exercise programs, which can help enhance mental health and stop anxiety from coming back.
Combining these therapies with regular lifestyle changes like getting enough sleep, exercising often and avoiding excessive use of alcohol and caffeine will also be beneficial in reducing your anxiousness.
How Can I Try Acupuncture For My Anxiety?
That’s easy! Contact the acupressure experts at Freedom Physical Therapy and start feeling better and increasing your quality of life. We’re available for new patients, so don’t hesitate and contact us today!
