Acupuncture for Panic Disorder (Panic Attacks)
Panic Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. It causes panic attacks in which patients have repeated attacks of intense fear that something bad will happen. The patients may also have physical symptoms, such as fast heartbeat, chest tight, breathing difficulty, weakness, dizziness or feeling faint, sweating, feeling hot flashes or a cold chill, tingly or numb hands, feeling of choking, nausea or upset stomach, trembling or shaking etc.
How does acupuncture work for Panic Disorder?
Acupuncture appears to have a balancing effect on brain chemistry. It can help with panic disorder and related symptoms. Part of this effect may be from endorphins, but it appears to involve other brain chemicals as well. Nerves “talk” to each other through the use of chemical agents called neurotransmitters. Many of these agents exist, and some of the more well known are serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid, is the brain’s major inhibitory neurotransmitter to prevent overstimulation and therefore promote calm). Acupuncture may improve the function of serotonin and GABA which has a relaxing and calming effect as well as a mood stabilizing effect.
Course of treatment
There are 10-15 acupuncture sessions in one course of treatment. Treatment frequency depends on individual condition. Chinese herbs work synergistically with acupuncture.
For more information please contact Dr. Shan Kong at Acupuncture and Chinese Medical Center Ann Arbor, Michigan at (734) 276-3432.