Acupuncture for Anxiety and Depression: Pamela’s Story

Pamela had been going through an extremely difficult time, dealing with a highly stressful job in a challenging work environment, when she first began treatment at Queen City Acupuncture & Wellness. As someone who previously had a positive experience with acupuncture many years ago for pain management following a car accident, she knew that there were other conditions that acupuncture could be effective in treating as well – namely, anxiety and depression.

She began searching for a local acupuncturist in the Matthews area and was pleased to find one that offered Saturday appointments, which worked with her demanding work schedule. She was also pleased to see the special interest that the practice took in the care of Veterans, as Pamela herself had previously served in the military.

She says that the first time she called the office, she was in tears. “I was actually crying when I called, and Garrett (Krause) picked up the phone. He found out I was a veteran and told me to come on in. He said he could help me and that he would also tell me how to work with the VA for community care benefits. I was a mess emotionally, but he took care of me. From that very first visit, I experienced peace in his office and knew that finding him was going to be life changing.”

Pamela began acupuncture treatments on a weekly basis and says that she experiences a state of relaxation during her treatments. “I can go in there stressed out and crying, tears just rolling down my face. Garrett always listens compassionately and calms me down, and then once I’m on the table, I get into a relaxed state,” she says. “The treatment is powerful, gentle, and effective. I just feel everything soften. Within 5 or 10 minutes, I don’t know if you call it Zen or calm, but it just flows throughout the day.”

Pamela says that the visits have helped her to regulate her nervous system, and she especially appreciates that acupuncture is a natural, drug-free option. “I have had lots of issues with medications and side effects over the years,” she says. “I have to find natural remedies. And I love that this is one of the healthiest things I can do for my body.”

Garrett Krause, owner of Queen City Acupuncture & Wellness, explains why the treatment is so effective. “When it comes to stress and anxiety, acupuncture is extremely helpful as it focuses on activating the vagus nerve, which is the most complex nerve in the autonomic nervous system. By activating the vagus nerve, we give the body the ability to regulate mood and stress recovery, without the need for drugs or medications.”

Pamela also shared that she still had ongoing physical pain from a car accident that she was in many years ago. She began receiving cupping treatments during her visits as well, which she says were helpful in relieving that pain. “I am just so thankful that in a short amount of time, I was able to get functioning again and dealing with things and not stuck in the cycle of emotional and physical pain. I look forward to my visits because they’re just so beneficial to me. I don’t know how I’d be getting through this job if it weren’t for Garrett because of the amount of stress I’m under,” she says.

Pamela says she is most grateful for the compassionate care that she has received from Garrett Krause. “He is such a phenomenal human being,” she says. “He has changed my life. He is just so gifted, and he always listens and he cares so much about people. This is someone who got into the right profession. It’s not just a job for him. He is such a blessing. I just wish that anybody who is having emotional pain, anxiety, depression, or even physical pain would be able to come to see him. I want other people to discover him so that they can get help, too.”

Pamela continues to receive treatment on a weekly basis and says that Garrett has helped immensely by ensuring that all is in order with her paperwork with the VA. “He’s one-of-a-kind in my book,” she says. “I will always rave about him and hope that other people get to experience what I have at this practice.”