Acupuncture for Anxiety

Anxiety is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various topics, events, or activities. This can result in considerable distress and often impairs daily functioning, affecting millions of people globally. While conventional treatments may involve a combination of therapy and medication, there is growing interest in complementary therapies, with acupuncture leading as a safe and natural treatment option for managing anxiety symptoms with minimal adverse effects.

Acupuncture has been used for over 2,000 years to treat a wide range of health conditions. Clinical studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can significantly alleviate symptoms of anxiety and enhance patients’ overall well-being. Research indicates acupuncture modulates the autonomic nervous system, which plays a key role in regulating stress responses. By stimulating specific points, acupuncture may help restore balance to the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) branches of the autonomic nervous system. This modulation promotes relaxation and decreases the physiological symptoms of anxiety, such as increased heart rate and muscle tension.

Acupuncture is an appealing treatment for many patients seeking relief from anxiety, especially for those seeking a natural approach. As a low-risk therapy with minimal side effects, it's a great option for individuals concerned about pharmaceutical interventions, potential dependency, or interactions with other medications.

Acupuncture's ability to promote relaxation, regulate the autonomic nervous system, and modulate neurotransmitter levels offers a promising option for managing anxiety. As part of an integrative treatment plan, acupuncture can provide significant relief for individuals struggling with anxiety, offering an alternative solution to conventional treatments.

If you are interested in learning more about how acupuncture might benefit you, please call us at 301.880.3232. We would be pleased to assist you!

---

Resources

Lam WC, Wei D, Li H, et al. The use of acupuncture for addressing neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with long COVID: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neurol. 2024;15:1406475. Published 2024 Jul 19. doi:10.3389/fneur.2024.1406475

Wang Y, Gu X, Zhi B, et al. The efficacy of acupuncture for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in college students: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2025;20(1):e0316804. Published 2025 Jan 9. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0316804

Xu Z, Zhang X, Shi H, et al. Efficacy of acupuncture for anxiety and depression in functional dyspepsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2024;19(3):e0298438. Published 2024 Mar 7. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0298438

Zhou X, Shi G, Chen R, et al. Acupuncture for generalized anxiety disorder: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2024;57:e13389. Published 2024 May 3. doi:10.1590/1414-431X2024e13389

---

This website provides general information only. Content does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for medical guidance.