Acupuncture for anxiety

[Claudesmom]

Has anyone tried acupuncture for anxiety and felt that it made anxiety worse? Had my first treatment today and I am really struggling tonight. If anybody else did have this, did it get better with subsequent treatments?

[roses4all]

So, I've decided to answer. I don't usually do that. I have never had acupuncture. But, are you sure the anxiety didn't come from somewhere else or something else? I have a big problem with the dentist because he is doing things to me (like assault). It would be the same for me with acupuncture. What is tough for me is that you have to make an appointment. You can't choose to go on a good day. So, if I am having a bad day already and I have to go to an appointment on a bad day, I try to minimize the stress getting to the appointment. I take a taxi. That way, I don't have the stress of other drivers if I am driving; I don't have the stress of other people on the city bus. I get there more relaxed with less stress. And after the appointment, I walk awhile (to let some of the anxiety and stress out). I also try to schedule appointments on a day when I don't work. I try to have the least amount of stress in a day when I have an appointment because I know that the appointment will cause stress (also getting to the appointment and getting home). The night before, I get everything ready: clothes, I pack my bag (make sure I have anxiety and asthma medication, the taxi phone number, a bottle of water, enough money, all my cards, my health info, a big sweater to squeeze when I am anxious). So, if it's a bad day, I just get up and go. In the evening, after an appointment, I watch a film. I don't cook or do anything. I congradulate myself on getting through the appointment and relax. This way, I function better the next day.

[Claudesmom in reply to roses4all]

Thank you! I was so relaxed leaving acupuncture, it was a couple hours later when it got bad. Hardly slept last night.

[roses4all in reply to Claudesmom]

So sorry to hear that you have insomnia. I do too and I have just had to accept that the insomnia is going to be around for awhile and try to work with it. So, the question is... what all did you do between when you were relaxed with the acupuncture and when the anxiety reared its head? Did you try to do too many things? Stressful things? What are all the things you were thinking about between the relaxing time with the acupuncturist and the onslaught of anxiety? Were you thinking about things where you don't have control or power, or things without solutions? Or times you were hurt? Or loss: past, present or future? I am a really skeptical person. I would need to analyze all that happened in that time window before I attributed the anxiety to the acupuncture. I think the fact that you were relaxed is good... great even, because you were in the moment. There's a name for being fully in the moment... I can't think of what it's called at this moment.

[roses4all in reply to roses4all]

mindfulness... it's called mindfulness. I got this quote: '' Mindfulness practice has been employed to reduce depression, stress, anxiety''. So I think that makes your experience positive.

[Claudesmom in reply to roses4all]

Thanks. It was nice for a couple of hours. Not sure what set me off, could have been my thoughts. I start CBT next week, hope that helps.

[Agora1]

Hi Claudesmom, I did have acupuncture for both my anxiety and my tension headaches.

I never thought I would feel so relaxed and at peace during the procedure but I was.

Like anything else, it wasn't a one time thing. I went weekly for 6 months. Headaches

got better since the acupuncture was done around the crown of the head and shoulders.

From acupuncture I learned meditation and breathing to control my anxiety.

I no longer have headaches, anxiety is under my control and I am here to pass my

success forward. These tools don't work for everyone but we must at least give it

a chance. Breathe and feel the peace and calm xx

[Claudesmom in reply to Agora1]

Thank you. So glad you're feeling better. Maybe I will give it another try.