Can Chinese Medicine (CM) help with a panic attack? Absolutely. A few well-chosen acupuncture points, combined with guided breath and body awareness, can make a world of difference.
I recently had a new patient who came in at the end of the day. I could see right away that she was distressed—agitated, and a bit lost. She initially came to treat arm and shoulder pain, crucial for her work as a massage therapist. But as we talked, her breathing became short and choppy, her voice tight and strained. She spoke rapidly, emotions running high as she shared the relationship challenges that were overwhelming her.
Sensing her growing panic, I paused our intake and gently guided her to lie down. I tuned in to her energy and selected acupuncture points that could best support her. Placing my hands on the areas of strongest tension—her chest and abdomen—I applied gentle acupressure to key points. PC6, a point that helps open the chest, and Ren 12 on the abdomen, which supports digestion and eases worry and anxiety, were particularly important. At the same time, I guided her through a calming breathing and body awareness exercise to help her ground and find calm.
Within 20 minutes, the panic had lifted. Her face softened, and a sense of calm and serenity returned. With her now relaxed and open, we continued with a more detailed diagnosis and treated her arm for the rest of the session.
For the future, I showed her how to press these points herself and recommended using the same breath and body awareness techniques to help calm her system if she felt panic rising again.
If you struggle with panic, especially when feeling overwhelmed or stuck processing life’s challenges, these acupuncture points and techniques might be helpful. However, every person is unique, and you may need a more personalized approach. For more details on how Chinese Medicine tailors treatments to individual needs, visit the Nourishing the Whole You section on my Book Services page or explore the Conditions Treated page.
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