Panic Attacks & Heart Palpitations? Soothe Your Nervous System Back With This Simple Acupressure Technique

Despite its widespread prevalence, generalized anxiety disorder does not receive the same attention as other major syndromes like depressive and psychotic disorders, and because of this, the primary care physician is usually the treatment provider, which poses some key problems. Under the care of a primary care physician, patients with anxiety frequently feel misunderstood and aren't given the lifestyle tools, behavioral therapy, and complementary and alternative medicine options to heal their condition naturally. Instead, they are typically prescribed medication as a singular solution. Anxiety disorders that progress uncontrolled can be said to account for decreased productivity and have also been linked1 to alcohol and drug abuse in a large segment of the population.

Ready for some more good news? Because we acupuncturists are just full of cool tips and tricks, by knowing some key Shen calming points and breathing techniques, you can calm an acute anxiety attack yourself! Here's a little acupressure recipe to help you calm and center yourself when confronted with shock or trauma or in a moment of anxiety. Stimulate each of those points for 60 to 90 seconds with moderate pressure using your finger, then move to the next one in the cycle.

Kidney 27: This point is located on the lower border of the clavicle, two finger widths lateral to the middle of your chest (you can see a visual representation here). This point is meant to open and relax the chest, calm anxiety, and improve breathing.

Yin Tang: This point is located between the medial ends of the eyebrows (you can see the exact spot here). Stimulating this point will calm the spirit and help reduce insomnia, anxiety, and stress.

Heart 7: Located at the wrist crease, the function of this point is to reduce physical responses to emotional trauma. It can be very helpful for my patients with heart palpitations, nausea with panic, or fear.