Acupuncture and the Immune System in Anxiety

In a study which looked at acupuncture and the immune system, acupuncture was found to counteract impairments of the immune system associated with anxiety. Thirty-four women aged 30 to 60 and suffering from anxiety, received ten acupuncture sessions, leading to complete remission in all cases. Interestingly though, blood samples showed that a variety of immune system functions eg. natural killer cell activity and phagocytosis, were improved following treatment.

(Effect of acupuncture treatment on the immune function impairment found in anxious women. American Journal of Chinese Medicine 2007;35)

Author: Robin Costello

I offer traditional Chinese acupuncture in Exeter, from a tranquil clinic a mile from the city centre, and next to the University of Exeter. I graduated originally from the London School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine’s 3 year full time Acupuncture Diploma (DipAc) course. I am on the practitioners register of the British Acupuncture Council (MBAcC), a regulatory and professional body with an entry standard of a full three year undergraduate degree level training. I have worked in a hospital in south west China, deepening my knowledge and using acupuncture and Chinese massage (tuina) as the treatment of choice in its country of origin. I have taught Chinese medicine in colleges, the NHS and at university level. I also practise Qi Gong, and Chinese dietary therapy, that is the medicinal use of ordinary foods, chosen to help achieve particular therapeutic effects in different individuals.