Acupuncture for Covid Stress Relief

Chinese Medicine has been preparing for and treating viruses for thousands of years. And as a holistic medicine, it has also been used for mind-body healing for just as long. We have an incredible toolbox and it has been eye opening to have the honor of using it since the beginning of this pandemic. 

Here, we are sharing with you a wonderful article from WebMd, “Acupuncture On Point for COVID Stress Relief” by Margaret Etudo (June 29, 2021).

Find an acupuncturist in your area and get some much needed stress relief, today! When stress is managed in the body our immune system can also function more optimally. To find a licensed practitioner in your area, you can use registry provided on the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) website.

Acupuncture On Point for COVID Stress Relief

June 29, 2021 -- The past 18 months of the coronavirus pandemic have brought pain and heartbreak to millions of Americans. Now, many are turning to a practice that has been around for thousands of years to find peace and pain relief.

For many, acupuncture -- an ancient way of using needles to treat pain -- is the last post-COVID-19 relief method they haven’t already tried.

“We are desperate for ways to feel better. No one got out of the pandemic unaffected -- everyone is suffering,” says Caren Campbell, MD, a dermatologist in San Francisco.

“The pandemic has worsened a pre-existing mental health care crisis in the U.S. Any stress-reducing tool is much needed,” Campbell says.

Campbell is an enthusiast of the Chinese practice that records show has been around for more than 2,000 years.

“Acupuncture is a huge stress and pain-relieving visit for me,” she says.

Gudrun Snyder, DAc, founder of Moon Rabbit Acupuncture in Chicago, says studies have shown that COVID-19 causes what’s known as a “cytokine storm” that causes inflammation that could kill tissue and damage organs.

A study from Harvard University in 2020 found acupuncture reduced the impact of cytokine storms in mice. Another study from Oxford University found acupuncture treatment for COVID-19 suppressed the inflammation caused by stress, improved immunity, regulated nervous system functions, and helped cancer patients with COVID-19.

“With acupuncture, your body goes into a state of relaxation,” says Tsao-Lin Moy, a certified acupuncture therapist and licensed Chinese herbal medicine practitioner in New York City. “And once the body is able to have that experience, it can remember to always go there.”

Your body is able to switch to the resting mode because certain neuropeptides, small proteins in the body, are released in the brain to signal it to go into that state of rest, say authors of a 2013 study on acupuncture’s effects.

Moy also points out that medications don’t always help. Instead, she says, our body’s nervous system needs to go into a place of rest for natural healing to take place.

Jenna Gill, a licensed acupuncture therapist in New York City, says, “Acupuncture is helping your body get into the parasympathetic nervous system mode,” where the heart and breathing rates slow, blood pressure lowers, and digestion is improved.

She compared this to the state our bodies have been in throughout the pandemic -- fight and flight mode -- that caused stress and enhanced symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Acupuncture, meanwhile, releases endorphins that maintain balance in your mind and body.

Gill says she’s seen a huge increase in people visiting acupuncture clinics to treat insomnia, anxiety, or stress. Snyder, from Moon Rabbit Acupuncture, says that makes sense as acupuncture is safer and easier than traditional medicine, and is often cheaper thanks to health insurance.

One reason acupuncture may be an easier way of dealing with pain, Gill says, is not all patients like swallowing pills. She says medications, which are the main pain treatment method in Western medicine, is “literally just putting a masking on your symptoms.” In other words, symptoms are your body’s way of communicating with you.

Through the aches and pains you feel, you can find out the root causes of what is wrong with you.

Still, Gill doesn’t criticize Western medicine and it’s way of healing people, but offers what she thinks is a better solution. Through acupuncture, she says, you can discover the root causes of a particular symptom.

I suffered from dysosmia from Covid for a year. I tried every solution I could find. Jan ‘21 I went to get acupuncture and the past 6 months have been life-changing. I’m almost back to my regular self. #longcovid #COVID #dysosmia #anosmia #lossofsmelltaste#acupuncture #COVID19

— naoko (@bayneseyusa)June 23, 2021

“Our body was designed to heal itself. Stress and other factors come in the way and obstruct an efficient flow of good energy and blood through blood vessels. Acupuncture helps to restore your body’s healing power,” Gill says.

But there are other ways to manage pain, anxiety, depression, or stress. Campbell, the San Francisco dermatologist, says, “Therapy with a trained mental health professional, exercise, journaling, meditation, nature, and reconnecting with our support systems -- friends, family, and hobbies” are also useful.

“The food you eat, your environment, your relationships, and the thoughts that you have matter as well,” Moy says.

She also says people who are very negative or pessimistic are not as healthy as optimistic people.

Positive people secrete more endorphins, dopamines, and serotonin, which can lead to better health, Moy says. If you connect the dots, you’ll find out that being happy is a way of reducing the “free radicals that stress releases which damages your body,” Campbell says.

Snyder says acupuncture increases your cortisol levels, which automatically kick starts your “happy hormones.”

In short, Snyder suggests we “marry Eastern and Western medicine together.”

We can do this by using our pharmaceuticals and Western doctors, she says, but also Eastern medicine to let our mind and body heal as health is related to a sound mind-body connection.

Also, don’t underestimate the whole power of touch, Snyder says. She noticed that many people try acupuncture just because they want someone to pay attention to them, take care of them, all of which makes them feel much better.

SOURCES

Caren Campbell, MD, board-certified dermatologist, San Francisco.

Gudrun Snyder, DAc, founder, Moon Rabbit Acupuncture, Chicago.

Tsao-Lin Moy, certified acupuncture therapist and licensed Chinese herbal medicine practitioner, New York City.

Jenna Gill, licensed acupuncture therapist, New York City.

Harvard Medical School: “Quieting the Storm.”

East Sussex Osteopaths: “Activate your parasympathetic nervous system with these simple techniques.”

Briefings in Bioinformatics: “Is acupuncture effective in the treatment of COVID-19 related symptoms? Based on bioinformatics/network topology strategy.”

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “Neurobiological Foundations of Acupuncture: The Relevance and Future Prospect Based on Neuroimaging Evidence.”

StatPearls: “Acupuncture.”

News Medical: “Acupuncture History.”

Acupuncture for Anxiety: How it Works

Anxiety is one of the top 3 things we treat in our practice- and certainly, daily. Acupuncture is a natural, safe, and effective treatment option for your emotional health and wellbeing.

Here’s how acupuncture works for anxiety:

• regulates serotonin (impacts mood, sleep, etc)

• regulates ANS (autonomic nervous system)

• reduces elevated heart rate

• regulates hormones (ie, postpartum, perimenopausal, etc)

• lowers cortisol levels

• increases endorphins

• takes the body out of fight or flight mode

Research in the last ten years is plentiful and supports the use of acupuncture for reducing generalized anxiety and panic attacks with this conclusion: “overall, there is good scientific evidence encouraging acupuncture therapy to treat anxiety disorder as it yields effective outcomes, with fewer side effects than conventional treatment” - (Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for anxiety disorders: A systematic review of the clinical research. NIH, May 2018)

As for how it works, an article from John’s Hopkins Medicine explains that acupuncture can stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes can stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of common illnesses including the following mental emotional issues: stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Chinese Medicine + Anxiety

Chinese Medicine takes a holistic approach to health: it’s a medical system that treats the whole person and sees the body, mind, and spirit as connected. You can;’t treat one without the other!

This is why acupuncture is a very effective treatment option for anxiety, since many people experience physical symptoms with their anxiety like IBS, dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, etc.

While acupuncture can really excel at treating anxiety, interestingly, we don’t really use the word “anxiety” in Chinese Medicine. There is over-thinking, pensiveness and nervousness. But with all of these, there’s a common theme: the movement of and allocation of Qi (energy) is concentrated upwards, into the mind, heart and chest.

Therefore, anxiety is a condition of too much Qi focused upwards instead of evenly distributed and anchored downwards. That’s why acupuncture is so helpful: it circulates the Qi and by using the right points, can help ground you again.

AND, not all points will be the same for everyone! Acupuncture is a highly individualized approach to wellness, and seeks to correct the root imbalance of an issue, not just the symptoms. And not everyone experiences anxiety the same exact way. Here are examples of differential diagnoses for anxiety:

1. Shen (spirit) disturbance: this means something is bothering you emotionally and affecting your Spirit- the Shen. Your shen lives in your heart and is reflected in your complexion and your eyes. When disturbed, consciousness, mental functions, mental health, vitality, and our "presence" are affected.

2. Blood deficiency: blood and qi hang out together. Qi is ethereal, we can’t touch it, but blood is tangible. If the quality and quantity of blood is low, the energy has nothing to ground in and we feel unsettled and anxious.

3. Heart heat: Heat, like fire, can be reckless and has a tendency to rise (like in the atmosphere). Excess heat in the body rises up to the head and possibly the chest, making everything move quickly like your thoughts and your heart rate.

4. Kidney and heart not in harmony: the heart, the fire element, and the kidney, the water element, are said to stabilize each other when in harmony. When out of balance, there may be insomnia, anxiety, panic, fear and phobias.

5. Spleen qi deficiency: the Spleen is related to the Yi- our mind and intellect- and is nourished by food and our diet. When deficient, we may experience excess worry and rumination, in addition to digestive issues.

Acupuncture restores the body to balance (aka homeostasis) and helps you feel more in your body and more in control. Because acupuncture regulates the body’s chemical balance naturally, treatments can help prevent the need for medication at all, and is particularly helpful for those who want to stop or limit drug use.

Your Treatment

To start, we recommend weekly sessions for 6 to 8 weeks- treatment results are cumulative and results improve with continued treatment. Many will feel a difference (calmer, less tension, slower heart rate...) after the first session! For those with more chronic anxiety, we recommend continuing monthly treatments once you feel the anxiety is well managed.

For those with needle anxiety: know that acupuncture needles are nothing like the needles used in a doctor's office! Acupuncture needles are hair thin and very gentle needling technique is used. As an alternative, we have non-needling options to use in treatment, like essential oils and tuning forks. Remember- acupuncture can quickly dissolve our “fight or flight” mode, which helps you feel at ease with your treatment.

We will work with your comfort level while still ensuring a relaxing and effective treatment. Most people, regardless of what they are coming in for, find the experience deeply relaxing and restorative!

In conclusion…

It is definitely an anxious time right now for many people. If you’re ready to give acupuncture a try, give your local acupuncturist a call!

In the meantime, making a routine, or a small ritual for yourself daily can help with your anxiety, as can journaling, talk therapy, eating well, reducing caffeine, breath work, aromatherapy, and movement. Anything that you feel moves your energy and especially ground it downwards into the earth is best.

We offer virtual wellness visits to discuss at-home remedies, herbal treatments, essential oils, food therapy and more that may benefit you. Both Andrea and Lauren specialize in emotional health, stress, and anxiety- let us know how we can help: (843) 790-4295

Resources:

Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for anxiety disorders: A systematic review of the clinical research, Amorim et al. Comp Therapies Clin Practice, 2018 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29705474

NIH, Acupuncture, Nov. 3-5, 1997, Vol. 15, No. 5 2. World Health Organization. Viewpoint on Acupuncture. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 1979.

Essential Oils for Stress + Anxiety Relief

Essential oils are famously used for their scents, but extracting the essence of a plant makes a potent medicine. Used correctly, they can be very beneficial for many health issues. Essential oils are accessible and easy to use, and can help you feel calmer when they’re incorporated into your self-care routine. Chances are, you might already own one of these helpful antidotes for stress at home!

In our practice, we use essential oils according to the principles of Chinese Medicine. When used from this perspective, essential oils are so powerful and effective for treating emotional issues. Many of the oils positively impact the emotions by moving qi to release stagnation, nourishing the body to support emotional wellbeing, and clearing heat to take the edge off.

Essential oils can be inhaled via plastic essential oil inhalers, dropped into hot water and inhaled via the steam or diffused into a room with an essential oil diffuser. They can be applied to acupuncture points or diluted and applied to whole areas of the body. They can be added to salt and dissolved into bath water or a foot soak. No matter how you use your oils, remember that a couple drops goes a long way!

Aromatherapy and essential oils are best and most effectively used under the care of a licensed practitioner. And, they are just one tool in the toolbox to assist with emotional concerns like stress and anxiety. If you’re looking for additional support, consider scheduling a virtual wellness visit with us where you can learn more.

Essential oils for stress and anxiety relief

Bergamot: an uplifting and refreshing oil that brightens the mood and spirits. Regulates qi to relieve stagnation and “stuck'“ emotions. Combine with floral oils like neroli for moments of feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Best used in a diffuser to promote calm and relaxation.

Chamomile (roman): a calming and relaxing oil with a light, fresh scent. Chamomile strengthens the Spleen, regulates qi, and nourishes blood. Helpful for those who experience GI upset with stress, as well as insomnia, angry outbursts, and irritability. Particularly nourishing for women around the time of her cycle.

Clary sage: a sweet, cooling oil whose yin nourishing and heat clearing properties contributes to its sedative actions. Clary sage relieves anxiety with panic attacks and fright. Combines well with wood oils (like sandalwood) and floral oils (like ylang ylang) to settle the emotions.

Frankincense: an aromatic resin that creates a meditative feeling, and helps calm and focus the mind. Relaxes the diaphragm to promote deep breathing, clear the lungs, and release sadness and grief. Use with neroli for anxiety and depression. Combines well with wood oils like sandalwood and patchouli.

Lavender: the quintessential relaxing scent. Promotes the smooth flow of liver qi to release stress, and diffuses lung qi to relieve chest tightness. Use lavender together with deep, resinous oils like frankincense to create calm and peace or with lighter citrus notes to lift the mood. Keep by your bedside for peaceful sleep.

Neroli: also known as orange blossom, this delightful floral oil enters the spleen and heart acupuncture meridians to nurture the Earth element and calm the spirit. Neroli brings you back to your center and helps you to be present in your body. Easy to use for children and helps with anxiety and nightmares.

Vetiver: a woodsy, base-note oil that nourishes and invigorates the blood to root the mind and calm the spirit. Regulates liver qi to release tension in the neck and shoulders. A highly therapeutic oil, vetiver is rich in mood-boosting properties and a wonderful choice for emotional support.

As you experiment with your mood-boosting oils in different blends, remember that scent is very individual. Not everyone will respond the same way to the same oils. It’s always best to try out different oils and pay close attention to your own body’s responses, and choose oils that speak to you!