Whole Body Healing, Acupuncture and Wellness Massachusetts Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Clinic

Managing your Stress and Anxiety with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been shown to reduce anxiety naturally without negative side effects. In general, acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemicals which promote relaxation and an overall sense of well-being.

Research has shown that acupuncture is effective in treating anxiety by;

• Regulating levels of neurotransmitters (or their modulators) and hormones such as serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine, GABA, neuropeptide Y and ACTH; hence altering the brain's mood chemistry to help to combat negative affective states (Lee 2009; Samuels 2008; Zhou 2008; Yuan 2007).
• Stimulating production of endogenous opioids that affect the autonomic nervous system  (Arranz 2007). Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, while acupuncture can activate the opposing parasympathetic nervous system, which initiates the relaxation response.
• Reversing pathological changes in levels of inflammatory cytokines that are associated with anxiety (Arranz 2007)
• Reversing stress-induced changes in behavior and biochemistry (Kim 2009).

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be used safely in combination with medication or it can provide an alternative to medication. (any changes to medication will need to be discussed with your prescribing doctor.)

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