Acupuncture Helps Teen Anxiety
Acupuncture helps teen anxiety. Often very quickly.
During adolescence, the teen brain is rapidly growing and developing. The brain is literally changing in size, shape, and function all at once. Connections within the limbic system, amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex, which are essential for emotional regulation, are shifting and forming. While the brain is changing, hormones are changing, and the physical body is developing too.
Who Am I?
During this developmental phase, teenagers are experimenting with who they are, who they spend their time with, and what they are interested in. All of these big changes happening at once, while also learning who they are, leave teenagers more vulnerable to stress, emotional instability, and anxiety. Add in how many media images our teenagers see on a daily basis that send messages of bodily perfection like; “thin is beautiful” or “acne is ugly”, it's no wonder our teens struggle. Plus, there is gender stereotyping, which can be difficult for those teens struggling with their sexual orientation and self-expression.
Teenagers aged 13-18 spend an average of 8 hours and 40 minutes a day on social media. In this complex world, they are being influenced by what they see on top of what they feel, which can add to body shaming, difficulty with self-expression, issues with peers, and an overall increase in their personal struggles.
Anxiety looks different for teens, and acupuncture can help.
Anxiety in teenagers can look different than in adults. As a parent, teacher, or even a friend, recognizing the signs of teenage anxiety can be a crucial first step in getting the necessary help.
Does your teen suffer from:
Recent irritability,
Withdrawal from normal social activities,
Chronic complaints of stomach aches and headaches
Sleeping problems,
A drop in grades,
Trouble concentrating,
Repeated reassurance seeking.
These challenges and more may be signs that your teen is suffering from anxiety. Once you recognize what is going on, the next step is to get help.
Because acupuncture helps teen anxiety, acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be part of an integrative approach. We also often recommend counseling, exercise, and dietary support.
When you bring your teen in, we look at the whole person- mind, body, and spirit to find where the underlying imbalances are. Often, multiple organs and channel systems in Chinese medicine play a role in the experience of anxiety. To discover the imbalance, we listen to the individual's experience and piece together the puzzle. Then we pair that with feeling the pulse and looking at the tongue to discover the roots of anxiety.
Treatment plans are uniquely tailored to the individual.
An acupuncturist will select points, recommend easy-to-integrate herbs, and provide dietary advice. Also, there may be easy qi gong or other exercises prescribed to ease the anxiety while addressing the root cause. Using a natural and integrative approach before jumping straight to Western medications gives teens a chance to get their body back into balance. Without the chemicals that can alter their internal chemistry, are difficult to get off of, and come with many and sometimes serious side effects, they have a stronger chance of long-term mental health wellness.
Acupuncture is proven to be a safe and effective alternative to help with teen anxiety.
Acupuncture, when paired with counseling, can greatly help teenage anxiety. This empowers teens with tools to take charge of their own health and well-being, helping them to become healthier, more balanced adults.
Plus, the treatments are simple and painless, with often immediate positive effects! Call us today for a consultation. 910.636.6716