Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD, can penetrate every aspect of life. The triggers of GAD are not completely understood, however, the medical community believes that an imbalance of Qi, or life force, may contribute to the condition. Acupuncture is a form of complementary alternative medicine, called CAM, and the oldest recorded healing practice in the world. As a type of CAM, acupuncture can be used in conjunction with medical treatments but should not replace traditional medicine.
Stress Reduction
GAD is characterized by the amplification of daily stress and pervades physical as well as mental health. Sweating, shaking and difficulty concentrating in the absence of a tangible stimulus are all warning signs of generalized anxiety. During an acupuncture session, fine needles are placed at specific anatomic locations meant to produce a desired response.Those who follow Traditional Chinese Medicine believe that deficient Qi or imbalanced Qi can induce conflict and stress within the body. The acupuncture session would target those areas and balance Qi, thereby resulting in stress relief.
Regain Balance
According to Dr. Li Zhang, the president of Qi For Life, an acupuncture clinic in Brentwood, Tennessee, Western medicine views GAD as a mental state, whereas Traditional Chinese Medicine, known as TCM, approaches the diagnosis holistically. When using acupuncture to treat GAD, one benefit is regaining mind-body balance. Dr. Li Zhang believes that the key to balance, and therefore decreasing GAD symptoms, lies within the major organs of the heart, spleen, liver, kidneys and lungs. By targeting specific organs that TCM links to anxiety, such as the spleen, a healthy balance of energy can be renewed within the body.
Neurotransmitter Modulation
The Brigham and Women's Hospital recognizes acupuncture for the treatment of anxieties by affecting neurotransmitters, which are biochemicals responsible for carrying nerve impulses to and from the brain. Every time someone laughs or cries, for example, neurotransmitters carry the appropriate signal to the brain. Speculation exists that acupuncture can impact these neurotransmitters, stimulating an endorphin-like release to modulate mood.
