According to National Institute of health (NIH) an estimated 23.4% of female and 14.3% of male in US suffer from Anxiety disorders. From these groups, 22.8% report Severe, 33.7% moderate and 43.5% mild anxiety symptoms. Anxiety disorders can include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorders, agoraphobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety and separation anxiety. Anxiety disorders can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work and relationships.

According to Chinese Medicine, anxiety and depression in women is the result of “complex interactions between diverse factors, many of which are not yet fully understood.”  It has been suggested the relationship between Liver and menstrual cycle can explain why anxiety disorders are twice as common in women compare to men. Other organ also influences the Shen and the mind which can cause anxiety disorders. Lung and Kidney Qi Deficiency, Liver Blood Deficiency and/or liver blood stagnation, Spleen qi deficiency, Cold Invasion causing Qi and Blood Stagnation, as well as Jing and Yuan Qi Deficiency are all part of the constellation of findings associated with depression, and all affect the Shen or Mind. As such, in practice, Chinese Medicine treatment of depression relies upon the diagnosis of each individual patient and on formulating use of a distinct group of acupoints unique to each individual, along with a strategy that may also include other recommendations, including, but not limited to, exercise, herbal therapy and lifestyle modifications. These varied diagnoses and ever-changing constellations of acupoints make research more challenging and make the need for individualized acupuncture treatment plans vital.

Randomized control trials which included a total 605 patients suffering from anxiety and depression.

• One study assessed the use of Acupuncture for Anxiety in women undergoing IVF treatment which showed patients who received acupuncture experienced less anxiety compare to the control group (who did not receive acupuncture).
• Another study measured acupuncture response to anxiety for women with substance abuse problem, this study found patients who received acupuncture and counseling had a lower Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and depression compare to patients who received only psychotherapy.
• One study assessed the effect of acupuncture in women with MDD (Major depressive disorder), the treatment acupuncture group showed a significant reduction in BDI (Beck depression inventory) compare to nonspecific acupuncture group.
• Two studies evaluated MDD in pregnant patients, both studies showed a significant reduction of BDI in patient receiving specific acupuncture treatments for depression during pregnancy.
• One study looked at depression among menopausal women suffering from vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats). The study showed acupuncture group had significantly higher reduction in BDI than the non-acupuncture group.
• Three studies measure remission rates in patients who received acupuncture for anxiety and depression, Manber et al. (in the 2004 study) found significantly greater rates of remission at 10 weeks in patients who received depression specific acupuncture versus nonspecific acupunctur Courbasson et al. found nonsignificant reduction in BDI at 1 and 3 months. Gallagher et al found rates of remission in patients with MDD treated with acupuncture similar to other treatments (i.e., psychopharmaceuticals, psychotherapy).
• Two studies assessed the adverse reaction of acupuncture for pregnant women with MDD and found no adverse reaction to the mother or the fetus in acupuncture groups.

Considering the current data, there is high-level evidence to support the use of acupuncture for anxiety and major depressive symptoms in women especially pregnant women. At Acuwellness Center, we specialize in fertility and women’s health and treat patients who suffer from anxiety and depression who are undergoing fertility treatments, anxiety and depression during pregnancy, menstrual related mood disorder and menopausal depression by using Acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutritional supplementation.