Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine for Treatment of Anxiety

By: Joe Recsnik L.Ac.

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Anxiety is a classic example of the inseparable interconnectedness of our physical and mental emotional health. When an acute anxiety attack takes hold, it’s a jittery and scary roller coaster ride as physical and mental emotional symptoms seemingly strike simultaneously and feed off each other creating a vicious self-perpetuating cycle.

The holistic diagnosis and treatment approach of classical Chinese medicine acknowledges and embraces that our bodies can experience physical symptoms as a result of mental emotional stress or conversely that not feeling physically well can trigger increased mental emotional dis-ease. Due to its holistic mind-body approach to healing, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are particularly well suited to treat both the mental emotional and physical dysfunctional aspects of anxiety attacks.

Physical symptoms of anxiety include:

·         Stomach pain, nausea, digestive trouble

·         Headache

·         Insomnia or poor sleep quality

·         Weakness or fatigue

·         Rapid breathing or shortness of breath

·         Increased heart rate of palpitations

·         Sweating

·         Trembling or shaking

·         Muscle tension or pain

The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) controls the body’s “fight or flight” response. The “fight or flight” response is our body’s innate survival instinct, enabling us to quickly react in life-threating situations. A carefully orchestrated, yet near instantaneous sequence of hormonal changes and physiological responses helps us fight the threat or flee to safety. Unfortunately, the body can react similarly to non-life-threatening stressors, such as traffic jams, work pressure, and family difficulties.

The SNS functions like a gas pedal in a car. It triggers the “fight or flight” response, providing the body with a burst of energy so that it can respond to perceived dangers. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) acts like the brake. The PNS promotes the “rest and digest” response that calms the body down after the danger has passed.

Does acupuncture and Chinese medicine work for anxiety?

YES! Insertion of ultra-fine acupuncture needles at specific point locations on the body triggers the nervous system to release endorphins (your body’s natural “feel good chemicals”) and affects the part of the brain that governs serotonin, a natural neurotransmitter involved with mood.

Certain acupuncture points, such as those located in the ears, activate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) by stimulating the Vagus nerve. The Vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the body, connecting your brain to many organs including the gut, heart and lungs. The Vagus nerve plays a key role in activating the parasympathetic nervous system “rest and digest” action. In this way stimulating Vagus nerve influences breathing, digestive function and heart rate.

How does Chinese medicine treat anxiety?

According to Five Elements theory of Classical Chinese Medicine, anxiety is the pathological emotional state associated with the Fire element.

The five elements (aka five phases) of Chinese medicine are: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood.

Each element is responsible for governing a range of worldly phenomena including physical and internal organ function, mental emotional responses, and seasonal characteristics.

In relationship to the internal organ functions:

·         Fire phase relates to heart and small intestine function

·         Earth phase relates to stomach function

·         Metal phase relates lung and large intestine function

The relationship of each phase with the other four is evaluated and addressed through diagnosis and treatment to support physiological function and/or address pathology.

Five Phase theory is a holistic medicine approach of diagnosis and treatment that seeks to treat dis-ease manifestations while simultaneously understanding and addressing root causes. By understanding and addressing symptoms of acute anxiety within each individual’s broader health context, Traditional Chinese Medicine is able to identify and treat many different adverse health scenarios (aka “pattern of disharmony”) associated with effects of stress and anxiety.

Pathological physical symptoms associated with anxiety are characterized by descriptions such as “weak heart yang”, “floating yang”, “ministerial fire flaring”, “heart and kidney not communicating’, “upsurging internal wind”, “water congestion under the heart”, “excess of the stomach domain”, “pericardium dryness”, “blood dryness”, “kidney yang deficiency”, “deficiency taxation” and “blood deficiency”.

How often should you have acupuncture for anxiety?

In the acute phase of severe anxiety, I recommend acupuncture treatment minimally once per week. Once the condition has stabilized and the frequency and severity of occurrence are reduced, maintaining regular follow up acupuncture treatments of 1-2 times per month can be sufficient to minimize anxiety over the long term.

Where do they put acupuncture needles for anxiety?

Auricular acupuncture (or ear acupuncture) points are among the best points to treat anxiety due to the high vagal nerve bundle density in the ears.

Other commonly used acupuncture points include:

·         “Spirit Gate”/Shenmen (Heart 7) (on the wrist)

·         “Inner Gate”/Neiguan (Pericardium 6) (on the forearm)

·         “Hall of Impression”/Yintang (on the forehead)

How long does it take for acupuncture to work for anxiety?

Most patients experience the nervous system calming effects of acupuncture immediately after the initial treatment session. It is not uncommon for patients to report that within a few days the effects of the initial treatment begin to wane. Thus, an initial follow up is usually recommending within a week.

The effects of acupuncture treatments are cumulative; with each successive treatment the period of relief becomes longer and frequency and severity of anxiety related symptoms decrease. Depending on underlying conditions and other individual factors, I may recommend an initial treatment plan of weekly acupuncture sessions for 6-8 weeks. In many cases I will recommend internal treatment with chinse herbal medicine as well.

What Chinese herbs are good for anxiety?

Many Chinese herbal formulas effectively treat anxiety

Some examples of herbal formulas that address anxiety and related symptoms include:

·         Guizhi Jia Longgu Muli Tang

·         Guizhi Gancao Longgu Muli Tang

·         Jinggui Sheqi Wan

·         Tianxiong San

·         Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Tang

·         Gancao Xie Xin Tang

·         Huanglian Tang

·         Ling Gui Cao Zao Tang

·         Gan Mai Dazao Tang

·         Suanzaoren Tang

The key to choosing the correct herbs and herbal formula to effectively treat anxiety is establishing a proper classical Chinese medicine diagnosis. Correct diagnosis is essential to writing an effective herbal prescription. Classically trained herbalists form a Chinese medicine herbal formula diagnosis by utilizing thorough medical history and review of symptoms, forming a differential diagnosis, and performing physical examinations including pulse diagnosis, abdominal palpation (hara diagnosis), and inspecting the tongue.

If you would like to know more about how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help  your specific case, I offer a FREE 15 minute phone consultation to discuss your health situation and treatment options.

If you or someone you know suffers from anxiety, I look forward to the opportunity to share the relieving benefits of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine with you soon!

Sincerely,

Joe Recsnik L.Ac, DCCM

Licensed Chinese herbalist, acupuncturist, lead herbal pharmacist,

& Founder of POPULUSS Classical Eastern Healing

Proudly serving the nearby communities of Venice, Mar Vista, Inglewood, Ladera Heights, Palms, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Westwood, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Culver City, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Westchester. LAX and Greater Los Angeles