THE FOLLOWING ARE SYMPTOMS AND
CONDITIONS COMMONLY TREATED BY
THE WASHINGTON ACUPUNCTURE CENTER.
ANXIETY
Anxiety is the fearful apprehensiveness which complicates many
illnesses and may preceed their development. Patients suffering from anxiety may
appear acutely ill with dyspnea, lachycardia, hyperhidrosis, prostration and fear
that death is imminent. Handicapping symptoms, such as the paralysis of a limb, or
the inability to speak, hear or see may be produced by anxiety. According to theories
of psychosomatic medicine anxiety may be a major cause of such serious pathology
as peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, bronchial asthma, myocardial infarction and
neurodermatitis. Anxiety usually accompanies pain and intensifies it. Although anxiety
is classified as a psychoneurosis and may be a prominent symptom of psychotic episodes,
most people have experienced this unpleasant emotion at times. Patients who complain
of nervousness and insomnia are generally suffering from anxiety.
Tranquilizing drugs are effective for the temporary relief of anxiety but may have
dangerous side effects and are destructive to the basal ganglia of the brain if taken
in large doses over a long period of lime. Barbituates and narcotics are effective
for relieving anxiety but are addicting and potentially lethal. Alcohol is the most
readily available drug for relief of anxiety, but the consequences of self-medication
with alcohol may be disastrous. Megavitamin therapy is safe and often helpful in
treating anxiety. It can be given along with acupuncture and continued afterwards.
Traditional Chinese medicine considers anxiety a symptom of imbalance between the
Yin and Yang aspects of vital energy. In many cases, it can be effectively relieved
by acupuncture. The points used for treating anxiety are included in the treatment
of many types of illness, especially for the relief of pain which may accompany them.
How long the relief of anxiety by acupuncture lasts is somewhat dependent on how
severe the problems are that the patient must cope with in his daily life. Some patients
treated years ago have remained essentially free from anxiety symptoms since their
first six treatments. Others have returned for more acupuncture treatments every
4 - 6 months.
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