Acupuncture for Anxiety
Symptoms associated with the many anxiety conditions can range from fear, obsessive thoughts, nightmares and ritualistic behavior to muscle tension, dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations and panic attacks. Dealing with these symptoms can be a difficult task to manage on your own so therefore many people turn to conventional medicine for help. This can result in covering up the anxiety (the band-aid approach) by using such anti-anxiety/sleeping medications as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam) and Ativan (loraezpam). These medications, although temporarily effective, can sometimes push the anxiety to a deeper level making it even more difficult to manage for the future.
In the long run it may result in people becoming enabled by this treatment. At Integrative Med Solutions (IMS) anxiety is approached through several different acupuncture and naturopathic medicine therapies allowing the body to manage this challenge through its own healing intelligence rather than a synthetic manipulation.
Acupuncture: Calming Shen
In Classical Chinese medicine, shen is referred to as the spirit or awareness and when this is disrupted the mind and body follow suit. Eventually, the whole system becomes like a wayward storm with no end in sight. Acupuncture, administered at specific meridian points can calm the shen just enough to allow further points as well as additional naturopathic medicine to be administered. IMS licensed acupuncturist, Dr. Lisanti, will determine your specific meridian points according to your detailed history intake. One point that may be used and is often highly beneficial for calming shen is pericardium (PC) 8 located in the center of the palm between the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal bones. Closer to the 3rd metacarpal, you can find the point by bending your middle finger to touch your palm.
Botanical Medicine: Natural Pharmaceuticals
Many conventional pharmaceutical medicines mimic natural remedies. However, rather than allow the body to slowly heal itself with gentle herb and plant remedies known as botanical medicine, these pharmaceuticals are chemically manipulated to increase their speed and potency. This, however, can sometimes render a more toxic result that steers far from a natural remedy intention compromising the body on other fronts with side effects. Dr. Lisanti is trained in Classical Chinese medicine along with botanical remedies that can slowly re-align stuck energy and strengthen shen. Dr. Lisanti is also trained in safely recommending botanical medicines so as not to contraindicate with each individuals health history or current prescribed medications. Some herbs that IMS may use in relieving various anxiety disorders are Dong Quai, St. John’s Wort, Passion Flower, Valerian Root and Kava.
Clinical Nutrition: Relief through Food
Essentially, food is medicine. What you eat greatly affects your chemical reaction(s) that can add to or detract from such things as anxiety. IMS offers a specific protocol of clinical nutrition that may apply to your personal struggle. Often, a diet steeped in processed foods and sugars can be a great underlying factor as to how you approach life. These foods can be so taxing on the system that the brain may literally shut down to deal with them and in turn cause you to experience mood swings, nervousness and more anxiety symptoms. Dr. Lisanti can show you how simple changes may turn your anxiety around without ever having to reach for a prescribed medication.
These are only some of the IMS remedies that could help your anxiety. Other approaches also include homeopathy, clinical hypnosis, detoxification, counseling, environmental medicine and nutraceutical supplementation. At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design an acupuncture and naturopathic treatment program that works for you. In many cases, insurance covers portions of the acupuncture treatment. Allow us to support you to achieve optimal health. To make an appointment or find out more about how acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can benefit you, please call our office at 914.337.2980 or click here to schedule an online appointment.
*Please CLICK HERE to see a current list of Insurance Companies that commonly carry acupuncture benefits for its members. Please call 914.337.2980 or securely email info@intmedsolutions.com to verify your specific benefits. If you are emailing, please include your full name, date of birth and insurance identification card number.