Occasional feelings of anxiety are a normal part of healthy life, yet for anyone who suffers from chronic anxiety, the extent, severity and experiences they have are entirely different and not considered normal.

Anxiety Statistics UK

Exploring UK anxiety statistics reveals how many people need support.

The research shows that:

  • In any given week in England, 6 in 100 people will be diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder (Mind)
  • In the UK, over 8 million people are experiencing an anxiety disorder at any one time (Mental Health UK)
  • Less than 50% of people with generalised anxiety disorder access treatment (Mental Health Foundation)
  • An estimated 822,000 workers are affected by work-related stress, depression or anxiety every year (Health and Safety Executive)

Many people have acupuncture for mental health issues. It is the second most common reason to seek out acupuncture treatment after musculoskeletal conditions. At present the current evidence suggests that acupuncture may be more effective than medication for anxiety, and could be equal to talking therapies and counselling. Acupuncture can be considered a safe treatment option.

There are several known physiological mechanisms by which acupuncture can directly reduce anxiety (Evidence Based Acupuncture). This is a promising area of research with more high quality studies needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of acupuncture for anxiety related illnesses.

The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord and brain. The body has the capacity to use these chemical adjustments to its own advantage, bringing harmony back to itself. These bio-physical and bio-chemical explanations go some way to explain how this ancient modality works

For more information and treatment contact Jill Owen on: https://jillowenacupuncture.co.uk/contact-jill