Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses experienced by people in the United States today. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) statistics show that 40 million adults in the United States, ages 18 and older, suffer from anxiety.
Anxiety can be triggered by everyday events, genetics, and brain chemistry which may lead to mental restlessness, increased heart rate, dizziness, muscle tension, shortness of breath, and an overwhelming sense of fear or panic.
Each individual experiences anxiety in a different way. Where western medicine may treat all forms of anxiety with the same treatment, Chinese Medicine will look to first identify the organ that has been disturbed in an attempt to understand how it is affecting the overall energy of that individual.
Chinese Medicine places great emphasis on the connection between the mind, body, and spirit. There is no separation, a person’s physical health is a reflection of their emotional state. The organ systems must function in harmony in order for there to be a balance in the body.
Anxiety often reflects a disturbance of the Zang organs; these include the Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Liver, and Kidneys. Each organ has specific functions and is associated with different emotions. The heart stores the shen (your mind/spirit), the lungs are related to grief, the liver to anger, the spleen to worry, and the kidneys to fear. These are all commonly experienced emotions and can influence the flow of energy throughout your body.
A consultation with Dr. Tony Willcox will give a deeper understanding as to how anxiety manifests and it’s relation to the diagnostic principles in Chinese medicine. Once a tongue & pulse diagnosis has been made, the information will be used to make a differential diagnosis. Depending on the specific situation, the anxiety can be due to Heart/Spleen Qi Deficiency, Lung Qi Deficiency, Liver Qi Stagnation Affecting the Spleen, or Kidney Qi Deficiency just to name a few.
Medications may help to alleviate the symptoms you are experiencing, but they offer undesirable side effects. The mind often creates anxiety through the way you view the world, Chinese Medicine can help facilitate a shift in perspective.
Acupuncture works by stimulating the central nervous system and increasing the production of endorphins and enkephalin. These are the naturally occurring chemicals in our bodies that improve our mood and overall wellbeing. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Therapy are used to support the physical body by helping guide qi to move more freely and alleviate the feeling of being stuck emotionally and spiritually.
Some good lifestyle adjustments to try for when you are beginning to experience anxiety:
-Reducing/eliminating caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol consumption -Avoiding hot, spicy, cold, and raw foods
-Avoiding overthinking and setting overly ambitious goals -Avoiding exhaustion
-Taking supplements (B vitamins, magnesium, iron)
Come see us at Acupuncture Zen where we can help you to reconnect the spirit with a deeper sense of self.
Call 561-NEEDLES (561 633 3537) and schedule an appointment.