According to the Journal of American Medical Association anxiety disorders affect more than 40 million adults in the United States alone, about 18 percent of the population.  Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) include palpitations or fluttering in the chest, sweating or flushing of the skin, muscle tension, headaches, difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, edginess or irritability. The common course of treatment established in Western medicine is usually a combination approach using cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques like yoga and exercise and medication. 

It is not unusual to see physicians and nurses in the position of needing their own care for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The very nature of the work that the healthcare professional does lends itself to stress, tension and burnout!  It’s common to meet colleagues who are suffering the same symptoms that my patients do.  They talk about difficulty getting up in the morning, feelings of doom, lack of motivation for outside activities, stress with interpersonal relationships; some even suffer from addiction to drugs and alcohol as a way of self medication for GAD. Having said that, many of the traditional means of intervention for these symptoms do not appeal to healthcare providers. More and more healthcare professionals are seeking alternative therapies for anxiety and stress and they often seek relief through auriculo-acupuncture. The use of the tiny hair thin needles into specific acu-points on the ears generates quick relief from GAD.

Chinese auricular acupuncture has been continuously practiced for the last 2,500 years. French neurologist and acupuncturist Dr. Paul Nogier developed one of the first working ear maps in the 1950's for use in modern acupuncture clinics. The UCLA Pain Management Center uses the modern auricular acupuncture for chronic pain, withdrawal of opiate medications and anxiety. In the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association protocol for opiate withdrawal, auricular acupuncture has become a standard that is practiced at hundreds of facilities worldwide including the Lennox Hill Hospital in the Bronx, New York for the treatment of the side effects common to addiction and withdrawal. The primary focus is on the reduction of anxiety and muscle tension to help ease the discomfort of withdrawals. In many cases the client seeking this treatment is evaluated for the severity of his or her symptoms and then placed in a comfortable lounge chair or massage therapy bed and needled.

The needles themselves are made from surgical steel and most often come from either Japan or China.  The auriculo-needles are usually one inch in length and are no thicker than three human hairs.  The needles are not hollow like the ones used to draw blood or give injections of liquids.  They are solid and create only the slightest micro-trauma to the skin. Most people liken the feeling to a mosquito bite that does not itch.  Each needle is sterile and comes in a sealed container which is used only once in one area of the body and then discarded just like a regular hypodermic needle into a sharps container for disposal. 

The application is simple. Five to ten tiny thread like needles are inserted into specific points on the ears.  Each point sends a signal to parts of the brain that triggers receptor sites to release neurochemicals that help to relieve stress and relieve pain. The client will begin to feel a warming sensation on the ears themselves as the tiny neurotransmitters begin to activate. Once the needles are placed on the appropriate acu-points the patient feels a warm sensation on the ear and then an overall sense of relaxation. It’s common to find patients fast asleep after the needles are inserted. The treatment time is roughly a half hour long and when the patient wakes up the neurochemical response continues for a period of time. After roughly 8-10 sessions the patient notices long term relief of anxiety and stress. There are a great number of resources for finding an auriculotherapy acupuncturist including the Internet and the National Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. 

A physician who practices this type of technique is called an acupuncture physician, certified acupuncturist or Doctor of Oriental Medicine. Various state laws dictate the requirements for licensure and most states require a formal training program of at least two years. In the State of Florida a three and a half year program is mandatory with strong emphasis on anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, Chinese herbal medicine and hands on treatment required.  A State Board Examination is required along with the National Board Examination to become certified to perform acupuncture. 

It is common to see acupuncture veterinarians use this technique for pets that have anxiety during routine office visits and dental cleanings.  The affects of acupuncture on pets is usually visible in one session.  I remember going to a horse farm here in Orlando, Florida and watching a Fjord Horse suffering from mastitis receive acupuncture and with the first needle insertion relaxing enough to allow the vet to do her work.  You certainly can’t placebo that!

Tammy Bennett is the Doctor of Oriental Medicine at Longwood Healing Center and Spa. She can be contacted at Tammy@longwoodhealingcenter.com

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