Research shows that between 1-30% of the global population suffer with anxiety.  Symptoms include palpitations, insomnia, struggling to breathe, headaches and pain.  The largest of studies reviewed by The Acupuncture Evidence Project, which included 120 randomized patients, found that acupuncture had a large effect on reducing anxiety and depression compared to conventional treatment involving pharmacological approaches and psychotherapy, with over twice the reduction in symptoms. 

Acupuncture has also been shown to increase the release of endorphins, the body’s own ‘feel-good’ chemicals, which play an important role in the regulation of physical and emotional stress responses such as pain, heart rate, blood pressure and digestive function.

Symptoms can creep up on us and then one day, we just don’t feel like our old selves anymore. A common culprit today is stress.  The body’s stress response was meant to be a short burst in order to help us fight or run.  Today the kind of low grade constant stress in our lives stops the body’s systems working well and can be difficult to switch off. Acupuncture treatments helps by helping us to cope mentally and emotionally and we then can function without the stress response being turned on.  Certain acupuncture points induce calm, clear thoughts and help us to see things with clearer perspective.