How Our Practice Supports Anxiety Relief
Acupuncture for Calming the Nervous System
Acupuncture works directly with your nervous system to shift you from a state of fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest. Fine, sterile needles are inserted into specific points along your body's energy pathways, helping to:
Regulate the autonomic nervous system
Reduce cortisol (your primary stress hormone)
Increase calming neurotransmitters like serotonin and endorphins
Release physical tension held in the body
Improve sleep quality
Calm racing thoughts
Common points we use for anxiety include Heart 7 (on the wrist) to calm the mind, Yin Tang (between the eyebrows) to ease mental agitation, and Liver 3 (on the foot) to smooth stagnant energy. Treatment is personalised based on how anxiety manifests in your body and which organ systems need support.
Most clients find acupuncture sessions deeply relaxing, with many falling asleep during treatment. The effects build over time, helping your nervous system learn to default to a calmer baseline state.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal formulas provide ongoing support between acupuncture sessions, working to address the root patterns contributing to your anxiety. Unlike single-ingredient supplements, these traditional formulas contain multiple herbs that work synergistically to:
Nourish Blood and Yin, supporting deep rest and recovery
Calm the Shen, reducing mental restlessness
Strengthen the Spleen, improving energy and reducing worry
Tonify the Kidneys, building resilience to stress
Your herbal prescription is customised to your specific pattern and symptoms, and can be adjusted as your condition improves.
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
Anxiety doesn't just live in your mind—it manifests physically as tension, particularly in the neck, shoulders, jaw, and back. Therapeutic massage helps release this stored tension while activating your parasympathetic nervous system, promoting deep relaxation and stress relief.
Regular massage therapy supports anxiety management by:
Releasing physical tension that perpetuates anxious feelings
Lowering cortisol and increasing feel-good hormones
Improving circulation and energy flow
Providing a dedicated space for rest and nervous system regulation
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
This gentle, specialised massage technique supports your lymphatic system—crucial for managing the physical effects of chronic stress. When you're anxious, your lymphatic flow can become sluggish, contributing to inflammation, fatigue, and a weakened immune response.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage uses light, rhythmic strokes to encourage lymph movement, helping to reduce inflammation, support immune function, and create profound relaxation. Many clients describe feeling lighter, calmer, and more grounded after sessions.
Simple Practices to Support Your Treatment
The treatments we provide work best when combined with supportive practices in your daily life. These don't need to be complicated—small, consistent actions can make a significant difference:
Regular Movement
Walking is one of the best things you can do for anxiety. It moves stagnant Qi, supports lymphatic drainage, helps regulate your nervous system, and gets you out of your head. Aim for 20-30 minutes daily, even if broken into smaller walks.
Consistent Sleep Routine
Going to bed and waking at similar times each day helps regulate your nervous system. Create a wind-down routine—perhaps dimming lights, avoiding screens for 30 minutes before bed, and doing some gentle stretching.
Mindful Eating
Eat regular meals in a relaxed environment rather than rushing or eating at your desk. In TCM, good digestion is foundational to managing anxiety, and eating while stressed impairs your Spleen's ability to transform food into stable energy.
Breathing Practices
Simple belly breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system. Place one hand on your belly and breathe so that your hand rises with each inhale. Even 5 minutes daily can help retrain your stress response.
Time in Nature
Walking in parks, sitting under trees, or spending time near water helps ground scattered energy. Nature naturally calms the nervous system and supports the regulation we're working to achieve in treatment.
Gentle Boundaries
Anxiety often worsens when you're overextended. Practice saying no to non-essential commitments, limit news and social media consumption, and prioritise activities that genuinely nourish rather than deplete you.
