While mild forms of Anxiety are often considered to be beneficial to human existence, moderate to severe forms may result in unfortunate consequences, especially when anxiety turns into panic attacks. Mainstream pharmacotherapy for anxiety is wrought with equally dangerous and potentially
addicting side effects. Safer alternatives must therefore be carefully considered.
Acupuncture
The use of Qi in the restoration of the body’s life energy or Qi has been largely attributed to its effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of anxiety. These observed effects are potentiated when acupuncture is used in combination with other alternative approaches to anxiety management.
In traditional Chinese medicine, any disturbance or obstruction to the natural flow of Qi can result in a variety of signs and symptoms that are interpreted as illnesses or diseases. The function of acupuncture is to restore the normal flow of this life energy so that the signs and symptoms will naturally disappear. It is done by inserting very fine sterile needles through the skin to stimulate energy points that are located in several meridians or regions of the body.
Anxiety is described as an indication of a pathogenic process in the meridians that involve the kidneys or the spleen. In order to manage anxiety, the kidney and/or spleen meridians are thus necessarily stimulated by acupuncture in order to restore balance.
Other Alternative Approaches to Anxiety Management
Anxiety management with acupuncture can be optimized when it is used in conjunction with other forms of alternative and complementary therapies such as massage, herbal medications, homeopathy, exercise, and good nutrition.
• The use of herbs in traditional healthcare practices utilizes the many natural pharmacotherapeutic-like effects of their natural active ingredients. As such, herbs can interact with other substances such as medications and dietary supplements or other herbal preparations. The most common herbs used to manage Anxiety include valerian (Valeriana officinalis), passionflower (Passiflora incarnate), and kava kava (Piper methysticum). Other herbal products that may be used in the management of anxiety include ginger, chamomile, and licorice as well as the essential oils of bergamot, jasmine, and lemon balm.
• Massage works by relieving muscle tension that can significantly heighten the anxiety. It is also believed that massage stimulates the release of endorphins and other neuromodulators that effectively enhances the person’s sense of well-being.
• The benefit of exercise on anxiety reduction is correlated with its ability to relax the muscles and create a stress-free mind. Studies have shown that regular aerobic exercises greatly improve both anxiety and depression.
• Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is known to enhance the body’s ability to fight stressful situations through the provision of the necessary nutrients, particularly the B vitamins, in the management of stress and Anxiety.
• While homeopathic treatments have been largely discredited by the scientific community, a good number of patients do provide positive testimonials to its supposed effects. Only a licensed and experienced homeopath can give the appropriate homeopathic therapies effective against anxiety. In general a homeopath may include Aconitum, Arsenicum album, phosphorus, Lycopodium, Gelsemium, and Argentums nitricum.
One does not need to take harmful medications when they become anxious. There are other alternatives that are a lot safer and are equally effective as mainstream pharmacotherapy.
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