How reliable is alternative medicine for treating anxiety issues?

Amid record-length waiting lists, chronically understaffed mental health services and remote consultations, the NHS is currently failing to deal with the problem of anxiety among the population.

Many sufferers have turned to private services employing alternative medicine.

Experts within the field of alternative medicine have offered their advice about the sources of anxiety, its treatment and the techniques they recommend in managing it.

The Ki Retreat is a service offering wellness classes and healing retreats in Manchester.

Founder Kristy Lomas (pictured top left) says: “I believe alternative medicine is effective and popular for treating anxiety due to a holistic and integrative approach. Rather than just treating the symptoms, holistic therapies look to tackle the root cause of issues.

“Anxiety disorders are often more complex than they initially appear on the surface. By taking an overview of the individual, therapists can address symptoms but also work with triggers and the underlying causes of the anxiety – of which there are often several.

“Alternative therapies such as mindfulness, yoga, meditation and reiki are becoming increasingly popular.

“As a reiki therapist, I have lots of clients who come to me after being told by their GP to explore meditation or reiki.

“Although it’s not available yet, I truly believe in the future that alternative therapies such as these will be widely available within the NHS.

“Some clients come to me off the back of a GP consultation and don’t feel as though they want to go down the route of medication. Young people are increasingly aware of what they put into their bodies and are keen to explore other avenues first.

“It’s also important to note that alternative therapies do not replace conventional medicine, however, they can complement it well.

“As an energy therapy, reiki helps to bring both the body and mind back into balance.

“It works on the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as headaches, pain and insomnia, along with the root issues and triggers.

“It’s also a deeply-relaxing treatment, in which clients feel safe and are able to switch off. Through this we can help ease the fight-or-flight response that often comes with anxiety and the levels of stress hormones in the body.

“Another benefit of reiki is that it can help clients shift into a more positive mindset which over time helps reduce anxious feelings.

“I’ve personally found both reiki and meditation helped greatly when I was working my way through PTSD.”

Brazilian-born Andréa Ararê (pictured top right) is an energy and shamanic healer at Feminine Revolution. She delivers wellbeing sessions in New York, Budapest and London.

She said: “Energy healing is based on the idea that there is an unseen ‘life force energy’ within us that, when it’s low, we tend to feel ill, sad or anxious.

“Energy healing works on restoring this life force energy by activating our body’s natural healing process to restore physical and mental wellbeing.

“While treatment for mental health conditions may involve counselling and medication, studies have shown that alternative energy treatments may help with stress accumulation in the body. This has the effect of visibly reducing symptoms of stress and depression and providing relief from their physical toll.”