Shenmen piercing for anxiety

Anxiety is a complex condition that can appear in various forms. The Shenmen piercing for anxiety may be an excellent alternative if you would like to support medical treatment and a lifestyle change.

Let’s see what you need to know about anxiety, how the Shenmen piercing works and what others say about it!

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress, and everyone experiences it to some extent from time to time. However, when anxiety becomes excessive and affects everyday life, we speak of an anxiety disorder. It can appear in the form of emotional, physical and behavioural symptoms.

Many factors can play a role in the development of anxiety. When it runs in the family the chance of developing anxiety is greater, but it may also be that structural differences in the brain lead to the complaints appearing. More often, anxiety is caused by stressful life situations, trauma, or difficulties at work or in private life . It is not rare either that, over time, low self-esteem, a negative mindset or previous bad experiences cause someone to develop anxiety.

Types of anxiety

1. Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD): Long-lasting and excessive worry and tension that is not linked to a specific situation or event.

2. Panic disorder: Sudden and unexpected panic attacks accompanied by intense fear and physical symptoms (e.g. palpitations, sweating).

3. Phobias: Intense fear of a specific object or situation (e.g. agoraphobia – fear of open spaces, social phobia – fear of social situations).

4. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Anxiety that appears after severe trauma, characterised by intrusive memories, nightmares and strong emotional reactions.

5. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Recurring, compulsive thoughts and behaviours aimed at reducing anxiety.

Symptoms of anxiety

The symptoms of anxiety can be varied and can differ from person to person:

• restlessness
• irritability
• constant worry
• difficulty concentrating
• rapid heartbeat
• sweating
• trembling
• stomach complaints
• headache
• muscle tension
• avoiding social contact
• excessive worrying about small things

It is important to recognise the symptoms in time and ask for the right help, so that you can cope with anxiety effectively and improve your quality of life.

Treatment options for anxiety

Psychotherapy led by a specialist: Cognitive behavioural therapy and other therapeutic methods can help in treating anxiety.

Medication on doctor’s orders: Antidepressants, benzodiazepines and other anti-anxiety medicines.

What you can do yourself: lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, healthy eating, enough sleep.

Learning and practising relaxation techniques: Meditation, yoga, breathing techniques.

A few tips for anxiety

Practise mindfulness and learn to meditate! These techniques help you focus on the present moment and reduce stress.

Talk to friends and your family, or perhaps join a group of people who are also looking for a solution to anxiety. Support from others in the same situation can often be very beneficial.

Planning your time and introducing stress management into everyday life can also reduce anxiety.

Take breaks more often!

How the Shenmen piercing works

The Shenmen is considered a master point that is energetically particularly active, so stimulating it can reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Some acupuncture specialists call the Shenmen the most calming ear point, and they use it in most treatments.

A study: the effect of stimulating the Shenmen point on depression

In a study published in January 2022 the electroacupuncture treatment of the Shenmen and Sanyinjiao points was examined. The ninety participants suffering from insomnia and depression were divided into 3 groups:

• a Shenmen group (30 people)
• a Sanyinjiao group (30 people)
• and a combined group (30 people)

The participants were treated with electroacupuncture for 30 minutes a day, only on the point of the group they belonged to. The study lasted 2 × 5 days, so the patients received treatment continuously for 5 days, then after a break of a few days another 5 days followed.

Before and after the treatment, the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the anxiety scale (SAS) value and the depression scale (SDS) scores were assessed, and the serum levels of dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NE) in the blood were measured.

Based on the results, it was shown that the results of all three scales decreased by the end of the treatments in all three groups, but stimulation of the Shenmen point played an outstanding role in relieving anxiety and depression.

Based on feedback from several thousand of our guests, we can say the following about the Shenmen piercing:

• pain may decrease / go away
• it may have a positive influence on general wellbeing
• anxiety may decrease
• sleep may be of better quality

We have written about the Shenmen piercing in more detail in this article.

How long does it take to work?

A significant proportion of our guests, 93%, reported that the Shenmen piercing had a positive effect on them, and they were happy to share this with us.

Those who struggled with serious anxiety complaints reported that, as a result of the Shenmen piercing, the frequency and intensity of their anxiety decreased. According to our guests who reported mild anxiety complaints, these went away almost immediately after the piercing was placed.

How much does placing a Shenmen piercing hurt?

As the placement of the piercing follows a preliminary point location, the piercing itself happens very quickly, and at most you may feel an unpleasant sensation like an insect bite, which passes almost immediately after the medical-grade metal is inserted.

However, this brief, unpleasant moment is soon forgotten once you experience the positive effects of the Shenmen piercing.

Shenmen piercing Budapest

You will find the Medical Piercing studio in downtown Pest, at Újpesti rakpart 7, near Jászai Mari tér.

If you come by car, free parking is available on the embankment, close to the practice.

By public transport: from Nyugati station take tram 4 or 6 to the Jászai Mari tér stop; from Lehel tér take trolleybus 76 to the Radnóti Miklós utca stop.

Our wellbeing piercings do not count as a cure and do not replace medical treatment; the description of their effectiveness is based on our guests’ feedback.

Would you like to try the Shenmen piercing? Give it a chance at our studio! Book online!