Anxiety symptoms can have a significant impact on daily life. Feeling tense, overthinking, heart palpitations, or sleepless nights are all signs that body and mind are out of balance. Did you know acupuncture can help restore that balance? In this blog, we explain how acupuncture works for anxiety and what you can do yourself to ease anxiety symptoms.
What Do We Mean by Anxiety Symptoms?
Anxiety can manifest in many ways. Short-term anxiety — for example, after receiving bad news or facing a stressful event — is normal. But anxiety symptoms or an anxiety disorder often involve recurring tension, restlessness, worrying, physical reactions such as a rapid heartbeat or digestive issues, and sometimes avoidance behavior. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), body and mind are inseparably connected. These symptoms are often a sign of a disruption in the balance between the two.
How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine View Anxiety?
In classical TCM theory, anxiety is linked to the kidney organ system. In TCM, the kidneys are associated with energy, safety, preservation of life, and resilience. When kidney energy becomes imbalanced, anxiety can increase.
There is also a connection with the autonomic nervous system: in Western terms, anxiety occurs when the sympathetic nervous system is more active than the parasympathetic system, triggering a “fight or flight” response.
Also read our blog post about acupuncture for emotional and mental complaints.
How Does Acupuncture Help with Anxiety?
Acupuncture helps calm the nervous system and restore the flow of energy in the body. We place very fine needles at various points, allowing energy to move freely through the meridians again.
What Happens During Treatment:
- Tension in the body decreases, allowing for deeper breathing and better sleep.
- The production of endorphins and serotonin is stimulated. These are natural chemicals that promote calm and well-being.
- You feel more grounded, calmer, and balanced.
Many patients notice after just a few treatments that their body is no longer stuck in “survival mode.” They begin to feel more like themselves again.
During the intake, we take the time to discuss your symptoms and situation in detail. The treatment is fully tailored to your energy and needs. Our acupuncturists are also happy to offer practical tips to help reduce stress — such as breathing exercises or small lifestyle adjustments.
Personal Experience with Acupuncture for Anxiety
After 1.5 years of struggling with low mood, anxiety, and physical symptoms, I decided to try acupuncture. That’s how I found Widi. What Widi has achieved for me is truly incredible. After the second session, I already started feeling much better, back in my body, and motivated to do things again. We’re now working on the remaining physical symptoms, and I fully trust they’ll improve too. I’m truly grateful to Widi!
– Florence
Read more of our patient stories here, covering a wide range of conditions.
6 TCM Tips to Apply Yourself for Anxiety Relief
- Breathe deeply into your lower abdomen to ground your energy and restore calm.
- Keep your body warm, especially your lower back and feet — warmth nourishes kidney energy.
- Eat warm and regularly. Support your digestion with nourishing, cooked meals.
- Create daily rhythm: regular mealtimes, enough sleep, and calm evenings.
- Move gently and mindfully. Go for a walk, do Qi Gong, or practice soft yoga.
- Be kind to yourself. Anxiety is a signal of imbalance, not a weakness.
Need more information or want to make an appointment?
Book an appointment online at one of our locations, or call 085 - 0655499. If you have questions about acupuncture or how acupuncture can help you, you can also contact us via email.
Intake A session in which we discuss your complaints and propose a treatment plan
Choose your location / acupuncturist:
Intake A session in which we discuss your complaints and propose a treatment plan
Choose your location / acupuncturist:
Intake A session in which we discuss your complaints and propose a treatment plan
Choose your location / acupuncturist:
Intake A session in which we discuss your complaints and propose a treatment plan
Choose your location / acupuncturist:
Intake A session in which we discuss your complaints and propose a treatment plan
Choose your location / acupuncturist:
Intake A session in which we discuss your complaints and propose a treatment plan
Choose your location / acupuncturist:
Intake
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Appointment Choose a location and schedule your desired treatment
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Appointment Choose a location and schedule your desired treatment
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Appointment Choose a location and schedule your desired treatment
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Appointment Choose a location and schedule your desired treatment
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Appointment
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We’re Here to Help Relieve Your Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety can be complex, often involving both physical and mental components. With acupuncture’s holistic approach, we work to restore balance — not only to ease anxiety, but also to help the body regain the trust that it’s safe to relax.
Curious what acupuncture could do for you? Our acupuncturists are here for you at several locations throughout the Randstad. Schedule your appointment for a free, no-obligation consultation or book your treatment directly. We’re here to help.
