🌿How Does Navel Acupuncture Treat Anxiety?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, anxiety is not viewed as a purely psychological issue.

It is closely related to the body’s overall regulatory state. TCM understands the body, mind, and spirit as an integrated whole.

When emotional strain, long-term stress, or mental overload persist, the body’s natural ability to regulate itself may become disrupted. This imbalance often appears as ongoing anxiety, nervousness, difficulty relaxing, or disturbed sleep. For this reason, anxiety in TCM is not treated by suppressing emotions, but by restoring the body’s capacity to maintain balance.

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From a whole-body perspective, the navel plays a unique regulatory role. Several major regulatory systems—including the nervous system, internal organ function, and the meridian network—are closely connected with the navel area, making it an important center for influencing the body as a whole.

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In TCM, the navel is known as Shenque (CV8), where “Shen” refers to the mind and spirit, and “Que” means gateway. Clinically, anxiety and nervous tension are often reflected in the abdomen, such as tightness or an inability to relax, highlighting the close relationship between the abdominal region and emotional and mental states.

Shenque is also located along the pathways of the Ren and Du meridians, which play a key role in regulating overall balance and emotional stability.

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Based on this understanding, navel acupuncture approaches anxiety on three interconnected levels: regulating the body to help physical tension release, calming the mind to ease emotional agitation, and stabilizing the spirit to support inner steadiness.

Once the underlying pattern of anxiety is identified, navel acupuncture often helps the body settle—allowing physical relaxation, mental calm, and emotional balance to develop naturally.

🌿How Many Treatments Are Usually Needed?

Each person’s experience of anxiety is different, and treatment approach and frequency are individualized.

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In most cases, patients are able to feel a noticeable sense of calm or physical relaxation during each treatment session.

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Some patients—especially those with long-standing anxiety, or anxiety accompanied by sleep issues, chronic stress, or physical symptoms—may require a more sustained course of treatment.

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Progress is continuously assessed throughout the treatment process, and adjustments are made based on individual response.

🌿 Treatment Notes

Before Treatment

Please review the precautions for Navel Acupuncture before treatment.

If you have had any recent medical tests, imaging, or are currently receiving other treatments, please inform your acupuncturist.
 

During Treatment

Needle sensations vary from person to person. Mild pain or soreness during insertion may occur and is normal.
In general, the more relaxed you are, the milder the sensation.

Navel Acupuncture is a safe acupuncture treatment. Please stay relaxed and avoid unnecessary tension.

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After Treatment

After treatment, allow yourself time to rest.
Drinking warm water may help support overall regulation.
Please avoid excessive exertion and exposure to cold or wind.

For emotional and mental health concerns, ongoing self-care plays an important supportive role.
Try to allow space for emotional relaxation and gentle adjustment.
Maintaining a calm, open, and positive outlook can be helpful for recovery.

Simple practices such as gentle stretching, relaxed breathing, meditation, or quiet sitting may support the body’s ability to settle and rebalance.

When weather and circumstances allow, spending time in natural environments—such as sunlight, fresh air, open spaces, greenery, water, or soil—can provide a naturally calming and restorative effect.
These natural elements often support emotional stability and overall well-being.