As the air turns crisp and the season shifts into autumn, the spooky fun of Halloween reminds us that fear and worry are a natural part of being human.
But what happens when these feelings stick around long after the costumes are put away? While fear can be thrilling in short doses, many people struggle with chronic worry, anxiety, and even phobias – all of which can have a negative impact on both our mental and physical health.
The good news? Acupuncture offers a way to bring these emotions into balance and calm the mind. Let’s find out how.
The Negative Effects of Fear and Worry
Unless you’re watching a scary movie, no one wants to feel nervous. But, in order to overcome fear, worry, and anxiety, it’s important to remember that these uneasy feelings are actually there to help us survive.
Fear alerts us to danger, while worry helps us anticipate and solve potential problems. However, when we experience too much of these emotions, they can overwhelm us.
Let’s look at it from a scientific perspective. Prolonged fear and worry activate our body’s stress response, which leads to a flood of cortisol and adrenaline. This constant state of heightened alert can take a toll on both mental and physical health.
Chronic stress (triggered by excessive fear and worry) has been linked to a range of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, digestive problems, and a weakened immune system. Emotionally, these feelings can worsen feelings of anxiety, depression, and burnout.
When fear and worry become constant companions, it’s time to seek support and restore balance. Thankfully, acupuncture offers a calming solution.
Fear and Worry in Oriental Medicine
In Oriental Medicine, emotions are closely connected to our physical organs and energy systems. Each emotion is associated with a specific organ and element, and an imbalance in these systems can lead to physical and emotional symptoms. Understanding the connections between fear and worry and our whole-body health helps us tackle these issues head on.
Fear, for instance, is linked to the kidneys and the water element. When the kidneys are out of balance, we may feel excessive fear, insecurity, or anxiety. Aside from these emotional issues, this imbalance often shows up as physically as lower back pain, fatigue, nightmares or trouble sleeping, and urinary issues.
Worry, on the other hand, is associated with the spleen and the earth element. A spleen imbalance can lead to overthinking, anxiety, and digestive issues such as bloating or lack of appetite. In Chinese medicine, prolonged or excessive worry weakens the spleen, leading to symptoms like fatigue, poor digestion, and a weakened immune system.
Both fear and worry, when left unchecked, disrupt the natural flow of Qi (life energy) in the body, which is why acupuncture and other Oriental Medicine practices aim to restore balance to these systems.
So, how can we manage these emotions? As Dr. Ko explains, “if the balance between the upper and lower of our body is broken, it can lead to a mental breakdown as well. When the balance in our body is broken, it means that the circulation of Qi (energy) and blood is very poor. It starts off as stress or irritation, but if left untreated for a long time, it can eventually lead to anger, anxiety, and even depression. Acupuncture is the only treatment that can ‘BALANCE’ our body. The organs of our body face each other and maintain balance. You will get sick when your balance is broken. In Oriental medicine, when one side is lacking, the other side fills in, and when one side is overflowing, the other side is taken out to maintain balance.”
Acupuncture for a Calmer Mind
Beyond easing your back pain or supercharging your weight loss, acupuncture can be a powerful tool for managing emotional health. By focusing on specific points in the body, acupuncture helps restore the natural flow of Qi, calm the nervous system, and balance the emotional and physical aspects of well-being.
Here are a few ways acupuncture can help reduce fear and worry:
- Acupuncture Regulates the Nervous System
Earlier we learned that fear and worry can be rooted in a dysregulated nervous system. Acupuncture, however, has been shown to positively impact the autonomic nervous system, which controls the body’s stress response. It helps calm the fight-or-flight mechanism triggered by fear and worry, reducing the release of stress hormones like cortisol. This allows the body to shift into a more relaxed state, which promotes a sense of calm and security. - Acupuncture Balances Hormones
Hormone balance can play a role in how we experience emotions like fear and worry. For instance, too much of the hormone cortisol can send us into a hyper-vigilant mode, while too little feel-good hormones (like serotonin) can make us feel uneasy.
Acupuncture helps restore balance by stimulating the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and endorphins, which are responsible for feelings of well-being and relaxation. By balancing these hormones, acupuncture can help lift your mood and alleviate feelings of worry or fear. - Acupuncture Improves Sleep
Have you ever lost sleep because you were worried about something? You’re not alone. Fear and worry often lead to insomnia or restless sleep. Acupuncture can improve sleep quality by calming the mind and reducing anxiety. Studies have shown that acupuncture can increase the duration and depth of sleep, helping you feel more rested and less anxious. - Acupuncture Reduces Physical Symptoms of Stress
Tight chest, raised shoulders, a churning stomach ache…did you know you can feel your fear? Fear and worry often manifest physically in the form of muscle tension, tension headaches, and even digestive issues. Acupuncture helps to release these physical symptoms by relaxing muscles, improving circulation, and promoting the body’s natural healing processes. - Acupuncture Enhances Emotional Resilience
Over time, acupuncture can help build emotional resilience by keeping the body and mind in balance. It strengthens the body’s ability to cope with stressors and promotes a more grounded, centered state of being.
Quiet Your Fears with a Holistic Approach
Fear and worry may be part of life, but they don’t have to control your health and well-being.
Acupuncture offers a natural and effective way to restore balance to your emotional health, helping you feel calmer, more confident, and at ease in your daily life.
But acupuncture is not magic. Although you may feel relaxed and comfortable after the first treatment, it is difficult to feel a significant change after just one or two sessions of treatment. The treatment period may vary depending on your condition, but in general, acupuncture treatment should be taken 2-3 times a week for at least 3 to 5 months.
Along with acupuncture, herbal medicine is key for overcoming internal issues like fear and worry. Dr. Ko explains that “the reason is that breaking emotional balance is a problem that comes from inside the body, so no matter what you do externally, it is superficial and temporary, it cannot be fundamentally treated. Also, light exercise or walking is recommended.”
Don’t let fear haunt you any longer—consider a holistic approach with Oriental medicine to calm your mind and take charge of your emotional well-being. Book your consultation with 120 Acupuncture Clinic in Studio City, Los Angeles or call us at 1-818-980-7979 to find out how Dr. Ko and his team can help you feel calm, secure, and ready for anything.
