Teens, Anxiety, and Acupuncture

/ Dahms Acupuncture/

According to data and statistics collected by the CDC between 2016-2019, 9.4% of children ages 3-17 (approximately 5.8 million) experience anxiety [1].

Anxiety rates are increasing: "'Ever having been diagnosed with anxiety' increased from 5.5% in 2007 to 6.4% in 2011–2012." [2]

Why are more teens experiencing anxiety[3]?

  • High expectations and pressure to succeed

  • A world that feels scary and threatening.

  • Social media.

How can acupuncture help?

A study was published in 2018 in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health where 20 children with anxiety, aged 8–16, were randomized to either the acupuncture or waitlist control groups. Their anxiety was measured pre and post treatment and it was found that the anxiety levels of the acupuncture group was signficantly lower than the waitlist group, providing promising results on the potential use of acupuncture to treat children and adolescents with general anxiety [4].

Acupuncture stimulates the release of various neurotransmitters and this is thought to have an effect on one’s mood, reducing anxiety, and reducing stress‘ effect on the body. The relaxation effects are felt immediately and can last for several days.