When I think about anxiety and panic disorders, the image that comes to my mind is one of the ancient pictographic words for fear in Chinese. The icon depicts a bird with eyes very wide open, as if it’s looking around for danger. Like that scared little bird, our nervous systems are built to be sensitive to threats so we can respond at lightning speed if we need to. Even the act of driving to the store can put our stress response system on alert. These days, it’s no wonder the wiring of our nervous system is chronically overworked.
So what can we do to keep anxiety and panic from becoming our constant companions? Therapists and psychologists have lots of good tips for unplugging our nervous system - mindfulness, disconnecting from news sources and digital devices, breathing exercises, and so forth. Quality time with loved ones and connecting with community are good ways to help regulate our nervous systems too. But what if our nervous system seems ‘stuck’ in a hyper-vigilant and anxious state, and doesn’t respond to changes in our self-care routines?
Considering anxiety and panic disorders from a clinical perspective, let’s look to our neurobiology. The part of our nervous system that we don’t control is called the autonomic nervous system, and it has two main components: sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The sympathetic system goes into high gear for our ‘fight or flight’ (or freeze) response under stress, whereas the parasympathetic system lowers blood pressure, stimulates digestion, and helps us reset. The tension between the two allows us to be active when we need to, and rest when we don’t. An overload of stress leads to problems along these lines - being unable to rest at night (insomnia), digestive problems, and sometimes feeling like there is a fearful situation when there isn’t - complete with racing heart, labored breathing, and extreme anxiety.
Fortunately, acupuncture does a wonderful job of tapping directly into the autonomic nervous system. Peer-reviewed research studies have shown that acupuncture lowers the intensity of the stress response (sympathetic), can shift the body from ‘fight or flight’ to ‘relax and reset’, and can even strengthen something called parasympathetic tone - which is one measure of how resilient your nervous system is to stress, especially stress-induced digestive problems. .
Are you ready to tap into the wiring of your nervous system to help keep things more calm and balanced? Acupuncture is one of the most powerful ways to do that!
If you’re ready to explore how Acupuncture can benefit you with Evan as your provider, contact us at South Slope Acupuncture & Wellness to schedule a session!
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us at South Slope Acupuncture and Wellness!
Remember, you do not need to wait to begin your journey to better health. Book a free 15-minute meet and greet to get started.
Disclaimer:
This information is generalized and intended for educational purposes only. Due to potential individual contraindications, please see your primary care provider before implementing any strategies in these posts.
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