Traditional Chinese Medicine and Stress & Anxiety

Neurological & Mental · ICD-10 F41

Stress and anxiety (焦虑) are common in everyday life and can bring palpitations, poor sleep, or repetitive worry. This information reflects a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective and is educational — not advertising or an individual diagnosis.

The TCM perspective

TCM relates anxiety to Liver Qi stagnation, Heart-Gallbladder deficiency, or Heart-Spleen deficiency, which affect the calm of the mind (Shen). Acupuncture and balancing approaches aim to support relaxation and overall emotional wellbeing as a complementary approach. Results vary from person to person.

TCM patterns

• Liver Qi Stagnation — Feeling stuck, irritable, frequent sighing, and chest tightness.
• Heart-Gallbladder Deficiency — Easily startled, timid, with disturbed sleep and palpitations.
• Heart-Spleen Deficiency — Overthinking, fatigue, poor appetite, and weak memory.

General self-care

• Practise deep breathing and brief mindfulness during the day.
• Exercise regularly — walking, yoga, or tai chi.
• Schedule rest and reduce multitasking.
• Reduce caffeine and alcohol, which may aggravate symptoms.
• Talk with someone you trust and seek help when things feel overwhelming.

When to consult a doctor

• If anxiety is severe, persistent, or disrupts life, consult a doctor or mental-health professional.
• See a doctor for panic attacks or severe physical symptoms.
• If you have thoughts of self-harm, seek help immediately (mental-health hotline 1323).

This content is provided for general knowledge only. It is not individual medical advice and does not guarantee any result. Appropriate care should follow an assessment by a licensed TCM practitioner. For severe or emergency symptoms, see a doctor or call 1669.

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