HEALTH & WELLNESS / LIFESTYLE
Niloo Nikpour, MS; Joseph (Changqing) Yang, PhD, LAc
This case study demonstrates not only a very successful traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment result for stress reaction and anxiety disorder, but also confirms the positive impact of TCM in stopping reliance on habit-forming sedative-hypnotic drugs such as Xanax. The diagnosis procedure and the treatments are based on the mental energy, i.e., shen qi, theory, which includes four components: ben shen acupuncture, ben shen herbology, ben shen psychotherapy, and ben shen preservation.
Presentation / History / Initial Evaluation
A 55-year-old female presented with a high level of anxiety and stress as the chief complaint. Within the past year, the patient experienced stressful life events including the suicide of a friend and a deteriorating marital relationship. The patient came to Emperor’s College acupuncture clinic on Sept. 10th, 2022, seeking treatment for emotional support.
Her chief complaint was feeling overwhelmed and excessively worried and fearful. Secondary complaints included urinary urgency, frequency, pain during urination, and white vaginal discharge. Her breathing inclined to be shallow, especially when she was anxious. Her bowel movements were usually once a day, but when she felt anxious, they could increase to 2-3 times a day, or she developed constipation. Her dietary choices comprised of starting the day with juicing fruit or cold fruit smoothies for breakfast.
Review of systems was unremarkable except for occasional insomnia, which caused the patient to wake up around 3 a.m. She reported increased insomnia for the past 2-3 nights due to increased urination at night. Her energy level was moderate (5/10). She reported “feeling overwhelmed, and excessively worried about her physical and emotional health,” as well as anxiety and a sense of helplessness during stressful situations.
She mentioned that she walked in nature with her dog, practiced yoga, and meditated when she felt anxious and overwhelmed. Besides her physician, she had not consulted a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. The patient preferred psycho-emotional support through holistic medicine and acupuncture, yet she had underlying irritability and exhibited sensory hypersensitivity. She mentioned that “her body is extremely sensitive and she’s worried that the pain from needles would keep her awake for many nights.”
Despite urinary difficulties, she did not intend to take the antibiotic her doctor had prescribed to preserve her body’s natural microbiome. The patient’s past medical history includes a case of shingles last summer; mild, but persistent aching back pain (1/10); and a history of chronic anxiety and excessive worries.
The patient’s medications and supplements included: Xanax / alprazolam* (sedative-hypnotic: benzodiazepine-schedule IV, a CNS depressor to treat anxiety and panic attack disorders)1; gabapentin 200 mg per night (GABAergic agent, an anti-convulsant to decrease abnormal excitement in the brain and relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia /PHN);2 magnesium citrate3 (laxative, vasodilator, with anti-anxiety effects); 5HTP 150 mg/night (5-hydroxytryptophan – precursor of serotonin); estradiol transdermal patches (0.5 microgram 2x/week); progesterone (100 mg); ashwagandha; melatonin 3g/night; and amoxicillin (which she later took for one week).
*It is important to note that Xanax / alprazolam has a potential side effect of drug dependency, memory impairment and reduced libido. Xanax may also cause physical dependence; sudden withdrawal may cause symptoms including worsening anxiety.2
Case Analysis
This case demonstrates the positive impact of acupuncture treatment for psycho-emotional issues. Studies have shown that acupuncture can naturally open GABA-receptors in the brain, effectively calming anxiety disorders and an overactive brain, reducing the need for addictive drugs such as Xanax.4
After receiving eight acupuncture treatments, the patient had a significant improvement in her psycho-emotional anxiety and stress levels. Her experience of anxiety changed from “being extremely overwhelmed” to “feeling happy and excited.” After the first acupuncture treatment, the patient gave up using gabapentin. After the fourth treatment she discontinued the use of Xanax, as her anxiety and panic disorders had already diminished.
In addition, with reduced anxiety levels, the patient’s sensory overload also diminished. She shifted from feeling “overly sensitive and overwhelmed” to open, relaxed, and receptive to acupuncture needles with deep-breathing techniques. Even when she becomes anxious, the patient can now manage her symptoms and release her emotions.
References
- Zabodji A. “Central Nervous System Depressants.” Pharmacology Lecture, Emperor’s College, November 2022.
- Gabapentin. MedlinePlus.gov. Read Here
- “Magnesium for Anxiety: Is It Effective?” Healthline.com. Read Here
- Zhou Y Gao A, Wang P, Ren S. [Effect of acupuncture at different acupoints on expression of hypothalamic GABA and GABA(A) receptor proteins in insomnia rats.] Zhen Ci Yan Jiu, 2012 Aug;37(4):302-7.
DECEMBER 2023
