0

Anxiety & Acupuncture

by D. Zou

Anxiety is what we feel when we are worried, tense or afraid – particularly about things that are about to happen, or which we think could happen in the future. According to the anxiety organisation that anxiety disorder is the most common mental health disorder in the UK. Anxiety affects approximately 6.6% of the population in England each week.

Quick facts:

In Chinese medicine, anxiety disorders are described as a deficiency of the kidney energy. The Chinese understanding of the kidney function is also the function of adrenal gland. The function of the will is the psychological correlate.

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Anxiety is the main symptom of several conditions, including:

  • GAD
  • Panic disorder
  • Phobias
  • Selective mutism
  • Separation anxiety
  • Social anxiety disorder

Acupuncture has a harmonising, sedative, or tonifying effect. Points of DU meridian, heart, pericardium, and gallbladder channels have psychological effects. Also ear acupuncture has been using centuries for mental disorder conditions.


It is a non-evasive and safe way to provide acupressure for specific ear points to provide relief to certain conditions. Worn for 2-5 days at a time to provide constant stimulations to ear points.

Typical acupuncture points for anxiety disorder:

  • Bai hui
  • Sishencong
  • Shenmen
  • Neiguan
  • Shenmai
  • Xinshu
  • 5 ear points.

Diagnosis of anxiety would initially be made by a Chinese doctor following a comprehensive review of the following:

  • Symptomatic presentation of the patient;
  • Frequency of symptoms;
  • Degree of severity of distress;
  • Functional impairment.
  • The particular Chinese medicine diagnosis

Tips of self care:

  • going on a self-help course
  • exercising regularly
  • stopping smoking
  • cutting down on the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink
  • trying 1 of the mental health apps and tools in the NHS Apps Library
  • Chinese Herb drinks can help easing symptoms associated with anxiety disorder.
  • Meditation or mindfully living.
  • Ear acupuncture seeds.

Case study:

Mr G, an investment banker aged 52. He states he is worried about heart palpitations and has been experiencing sleeping problem. He is visibly sweating and looks on edge.

He states that he has started a new job and that the palpitations start when he is feeling anxious. His symptoms are occurring most days of the week and he says it makes him “feel on edge”. He adds that he does not want to socialise with his co-workers. It is starting to affect his sleep and he does not know what to do. He also states that he has occasional pain in his chest. He has been to a lot of NHS check-ups and found no physical health conditions. He feels cold on his feet and hands. I looked his tough.His tough looks white thick coated and his pulse was slippery.


New job causes Mr G anxiety but Chinese medicine view his anxiety is being rooted in the body. It is physical imbalance involves spleen and kidneys . After 12 sessions of acupuncture and ear seeds treatment, plus changes diet and reduce coffee taking. Mr G felt greatly better with anxiety. His palpitations gone and sleep is much better as well.


For more information about how Chinese medicine treatment for anxiety disorder you can phone us or via email for a free consultation.


0044 (0) 1743 350358
[email protected].

(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)

Post comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Having been diagnosed with unexplained infertility I went for treatment with Daian. She made me feel at ease straight away and gave me support and advice alongside the weekly acupuncture sessions. Three months later I discovered I was pregnant (without any other interventions). We welcomed our baby into the world almost 11 months to the day after my first visit to Daian. I really believe it would not have been possible without her!I remain a regular client and I can’t recommend Daian highly enough.
Richard BishopRichard Bishop
11:31 24 Jan 21
Daian is an extremely talented and caring professional and I cannot say enough about how helpful and effective her treatments have been. I highly recommend a visit here if you are thinking about acupuncture. The atmosphere is peaceful and calming and Daian’s highly effective skills and treatment provides welcome relief from chronic pain in a calm in a restful environment.
Emma SchorEmma Schor
19:19 21 Aug 20
It was an incredible experience and I would like to call it “magic”! I had not been able to sleep well for several months, and my whole body felt hard when I lied in bed, especially the neck and shoulders. Daian found a little lump on the back of my neck at the consultation . 30 minutes of acupuncture after, I immediately felt my neck relaxed. I did it again two days later, and the lump just disappeared! I went to sleep easily for the first time in months! Thank you, Daian! Thank you, the wonderful Chinese medical treatment!!
Sally NuttallSally Nuttall
20:37 22 Dec 19
I have been going to Daian for treatment for many years now. She is a kind and compassionate lady who is also very accomplished in Acupuncture. I have suffered with severe Vertigo for many years, having had medication, exercises etc to no avail. Having treatment with Daian has completely changed my life - I very seldom have symptoms now, thanks to acupuncture but, if it flares up, a visit to the clinic soon settles it down again. My husband has also recently started to attend her clinic to have treatment for migraines and this, also, has been very successful. I would recommend Dr Daian Zou highly.
rachel powellrachel powell
21:55 07 Dec 19
Can highly suggest acupuncture especially with this wonderful lady (Daia) she is nothing but kind, compassionate & proffesional. Acupuncture has really helped me with my healthy problem, I'm so thrilled with the results. I really look forward 2 my acupuncture every week its so relaxing & Daia is such a wonderful lady. Don't suffer call Daia (SJ Hill Clinic) up & she can help you out she is amazing....highly reccomend to anyone. Can't thank you enough Daia you deserve 100 stars x x x x

Popular Pages

What Our Patients Say

  • ~ Richard Bishop – Shrewsbury

    "When I first arrived here the pain of staggering just 50 yards was almost unbearable. When I left, some 45 minutes later, I couldn't believe the transformation. "

  • Read more testimonials »