Acupuncture Alleviates Acute Anxiety

Long known to help sooth chronic anxiety, ear acupuncture can also calm anticipatory fear before stressful events such as surgery, according to a study published in Anesthesia and Analgesia.

A traditional Chinese healing method thousands of years old, acupuncture uses short, hair-like needles to puncture the skin at defined points. Numerous studies have verified acupuncture's ability to produce relaxation.

"In 1997, the National Institutes of Health issued a statement supporting acupuncture for medical conditions such as pain, nausea, and vomiting, and encouraged more research into this ancient art," according to an article posted on alternativemedicine.com.

The 2001 Yale University study was the first to show that ear (auricular) acupuncture can alleviate acute short-term anxiety. "Participants who received acupuncture at the relaxation point were significantly less anxious" than control groups, with results apparent only 30 minutes after the needles were inserted. (Click the post title to read the entire article.)

Alternative medicine provides a drug-free choice to people suffering from anxiety, depression or panic disorders. Recognized expert Dr. Burton Goldberg, discusses the success of acupuncture and other proven alternative therapies in his dynamic video Curing Depression, Anxiety and Panic Disorders (click the link for a preview). Visit Dr. Goldberg's website for more information on alternative medicine therapies that provide relief from acute anxiety, depression or panic.