Acupuncture is a therapeutic practice often explored by individuals seeking relief from anxiety symptoms. The method involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body, aiming to restore balance and promote healing. For someone struggling with heightened worry, the idea that this treatment could make their anxiety worse is a reasonable concern. Examining the body’s expected and unexpected responses clarifies whether this fear is based on a temporary physical reaction or a genuine risk of symptom exacerbation.
How Acupuncture Typically Reduces Anxiety
Acupuncture works by influencing the body’s physiological systems that regulate stress and mood. When treating anxiety, the primary goal is to shift the body out of the sympathetic nervous system’s “fight-or-flight” response. Stimulating specific points activates the parasympathetic nervous system, initiating the “rest-and-digest” state. This promotes deep relaxation, leading to a noticeable reduction in heart rate and blood pressure.
This process also affects the balance of stress hormones regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Acupuncture modulates the HPA axis, resulting in decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The treatment encourages the release of natural mood-regulating chemicals, such as endorphins and serotonin, which contribute to an improved sense of well-being and reduced emotional distress.
Temporary Sensations That Mimic Worsening Anxiety
While the overall goal is relaxation, some temporary post-treatment sensations might initially feel like an increase in anxiety. One common response is significant fatigue, which can last for up to three days, particularly after the first few sessions. This tiredness occurs because the treatment lowers elevated stress hormones, allowing the body to feel its true state of exhaustion, previously masked by adrenaline.
Another transient effect is an emotional release, where a patient may feel unexpectedly tearful or sensitive immediately following treatment. Acupuncture helps release stored emotional tension, and this sudden surfacing of pent-up feelings is a positive sign that the body is processing stress. Patients may also report feeling “spacey” or “out of it,” often described as “acu-stoned,” a temporary mental fog usually replaced by greater clarity and calm within a few hours. These reactions are signs that the body is actively integrating the treatment, not that the anxiety is worsening.
Identifying Actual Adverse Events and Contraindications
True worsening of anxiety symptoms that persists beyond the treatment day is rare, and genuine adverse events are few when the procedure is performed correctly. The risk of a serious adverse event, such as a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) or significant nerve injury, is very low, occurring in approximately 0.05 per 10,000 treatments. Most reported adverse events are minor, including small bruising, localized pain at the needle site, or temporary dizziness.
Infection is a risk if a practitioner fails to use sterile, single-use needles, making proper licensing and technique essential. Certain pre-existing conditions require special precautions or may contraindicate treatment entirely. Individuals with severe bleeding disorders, those who are actively psychotic, or people with compromised immune systems should discuss these conditions with their general practitioner and acupuncturist before starting treatment. The appearance of persistent or worsening symptoms, such as an enduring increase in anxiety, severe pain, or signs of infection, warrants immediate communication with both the acupuncturist and a primary care provider.
Finding a Licensed and Experienced Acupuncturist
Mitigating the low risk of adverse reactions depends on selecting a qualified professional. You should verify that your practitioner is licensed in your state, which typically requires graduation from an accredited program and passing comprehensive board examinations. In the United States, this often involves certification through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
An experienced acupuncturist, particularly one with a history of treating mental health conditions, will possess the refined technique necessary to minimize discomfort. They also have the diagnostic skills to tailor the treatment plan to your specific anxiety pattern. Open communication is imperative; you should feel comfortable sharing your complete health history and reporting any unexpected sensations or physical reactions during or after the session. This collaboration ensures the treatment remains safe and effective.