

Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
As many as 4.7% of people will experience a panic attack at some point in their lives, panic disorder is a form of anxiety disorder which can be extremely intense, many times individuals who have a panic attack end up going to the emergency room imagining that the rapid heart beat and dizziness are a heart attack. Symptoms and features of anxiety disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV, laid forth by the American Psychiatric Association are as follows: To have experienced at least 4 of the following 13 symptoms;
Heart Palpitations
Trembling
Shaking
A feeling of smothering
Feeling of Choking
Discomfort or Pain in the chest
Nausea
Abdominal distress including a heightened need to urinate or defecate
Dizziness or Lightheadedness
Derealization or Depersonalization
Fear of losing control or a feeling that you are “going crazy”
Sweating, Chills or Hot Flashes
The symptoms of a panic attack are hallmarked by their sudden onset and intensity, unusually a panic attack has an onset in as little as 10 minutes. In example a person who has experienced a panic attack may say “I was sitting on the bus when all of the sudden I felt like I couldn’t breathe, it was like my throat closed up and I was choking but there was nothing in my mouth. I became dizzy and my heart felt like it was beating out of my chest, I started looking around and was going to cry for help. My fingers and toes felt numb and tingling, in a few minutes my heart slowed down a little bit but my stomach was really tight for hours after.”
As you can imagine someone who is experiencing a panic attack is suffering greatly. There are several different types of Panic disorder according to whether they are caused by a specific cue, such as public speaking or encountering an enclosed space such as the panic that can happen with claustrophobia. In other instances, panic attacks can be un-cued or non-specifically cued, this means that sometimes a person who has a panic attack may not understand what the trigger for their panic is until they seek treatment for the panic and uncover the deeper fears and how to manage the panic with their therapist. A panic attack is differentiated from having a panic disorder which is to have had recurrent and unexpected panic attacks for a period of one month or more. Treatment for panic disorder are therapy, often most effectively Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with a licensed professional counselor and also medication is sometimes the best treatment. Usually it is a combination of these two treatments which best helps to manage panic disorder. Untreated panic disorder can greatly reduce quality of life, leading to long standing feelings of guilt and shame and even agoraphobia.
Learn MorePhobia
A phobia is a fear or anxiety response of heighted arousal, ie rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, and thoughts of intense worry and this most likely leads to avoidance of the situation or object. Some examples of typical phobias are fear of public speaking, fear of choking or vomiting, fear of spiders (arachnophobia), fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), fear of bridges, fear of tunnels, fear of large crowds, fear of blushing, fear of water or other natural environments, fear of contamination or germs. Phobia is distinct and much more severe than a natural aversion, for instance in the example of arachnophobia, many people do not like spiders and insects but wouldn’t qualify for a disorder because this doesn’t interfere with their functioning and enjoyment of life. A person who simply doesn’t like spiders may sheik if they encounter one and quickly try to remove it from their environment. A person who has a phobia of spiders may feel anxiety if they think about a spider, they may never go into a forest or stay away from other natural environments, they may start to take precautions like spraying repellant everywhere and have continual intrusive thoughts about the possibility of encountering spiders and even stop leaving home or developing agoraphobia because their wish to avoid the spider is so powerful.
The Diagnostic Criteria for A Specific Phobia are;
The best way to treat a phobia disorder is with psychotherapy, your licensed counselor can help you by using a very specific kind of therapy called Exposure Therapy. This is a behavioral therapy which a licensed therapist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders will be able to guide you through. In other instances, medication including anxiolytic medication, anti-anxiety and SSRI’s are best used medication therapy to treat and manage panic disorder. Other forms of therapy which may help to manage specific phobias including meditation, mindfulness, exercise and other integrative options like nutrition counseling and acupuncture.
Learn MoreTreatment for Anxiety
Treatment for anxiety takes many forms, there are generally three main agreed upon and clinically verified methods to manage and reduce symptoms of anxiety. Counseling or Therapy with a licensed counselor or therapist is the first treatment route. The treatment route for this form of help can vary from short term, brief solution-focused counseling interventions as well as long term treatment including cognitive behavioral therapy and even existential therapy. Only you and your counselor or therapist can determine which method will be best for you.
Other ways to manage symptoms related to anxiety are to enhance total wellness, this includes integrative medicine, nutrition counseling, acupuncture, fitness, meditation, and mindfulness. Some people experiencing anxiety find that a holistic approach suites their lifestyle best, in turn they explore clinical herbalism and integrative interventions to learn how this can support positive emotional health and wellness. Holistic therapy is best utilized along with counseling or psychotherapy from a licensed counselor which is therapy which will focus on finding triggers and changing the cognitive response to anxiety. The final way to treat anxiety is to use medication therapy. Medication has many different options including SSRI’s which must be taken for several weeks before taking effect and then other anxiolytic medication which is more short acting, talk with your psychiatrist or prescribing PCP to explore which form of medication therapy is the best for you to treat your anxiety. Medication often works best to diminish anxiety when it is paired with counseling and therapy which can change the thought patterns, discover underlying causes of anxiety and mange the full way in which it effects quality of life.
Remember that the worst way to manage your anxiety is by doing nothing at all in the hope that your symptoms will disappear. Managing anxiety is done best when we treat it early and completely with solid medical and therapeutic interventions.
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Acupuncture Pittsburgh and Monroeville, PA
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine, sterile, single use needles into acupuncture points. The points used are specific to each patient and are individualized based on their Chinese medicine diagnosis and constitution. During your first appointment, we take focused time to do an in-depth consultation regarding the details of your health. This helps us to formulate an individualized treatment surrounding your personal health pattern. In an acupuncture session, the number of points used in a treatment varies, but the average number of points ranges from 8-12 per treatment. Most people say that the experience of acupuncture is not painful at all but describe it as pleasant and soothing.
Acupuncture can be used to offer support for a range of emotional, physical, and spiritual concerns including but not limited to anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD, infertility, hormone balancing, arthritis, muscular and skeletal injuries, addiction, cleansing, diabetes, colitis, fatigue, insomnia and many more.
Cupping
Cupping Therapy is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique.
Cupping is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) technique which involves using glass cups on the skin usually on the back. The cups create suction which brings and moves blood in an area, and relieves muscle tension. Over specific acupuncture points, cupping can improve digestive and respiratory discomfort. Sometimes, Slide Cupping will be employed, which involves moving the cup while suction is maintained in order to relieve muscle tension and pain.
Moxibustion as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Technique for healing.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a long-trusted Traditional Chinese Medicine technique where Dr. Truncali burns a non-toxic Chinese herb commonly known as mugwort. It is performed over specific acupuncture points or areas of pain to provide a warming and nourishing input. By warming the acupuncture points, moxibustion can regulate the digestive system, boosts the immune system, alleviates pain, and calm the mind.
Qi Gong
Qi Gong
Qi gong is a meditative movement practice that acts to improve blood flow, mental function, emotional stability, immunity, and more. It is a way for you to engage with your acupuncture and sinew channels outside of the office. Your practitioner, Dr. Truncali may recommend one or two medical qi gong movements for you to do at home. You will be taught the postures and/or movements in office, typically at the end of your appointment.
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Dr. Zach Truncali, D.C., L.Ac, believes that mental/emotional, physical and spiritual health are integrally connected, and that health and wellness is best achieved through an holistic approach. Dr. Truncali utilizes acupuncture, Chinese bodywork, moxibustion, and Qi Gong to correct the body’s imbalances that lead to disease. These treatments facilitate enhanced healing, and promote a greater sense of well-being. Dr. Truncali has a clinical focus in mental-emotional disorders ranging from PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia and stress, as well as an in-depth understanding of physical injuries including, neck and back pain, sports injuries, knee pain and neuropathy. Dr. Truncali approaches the mind-body as a whole – recognizing that imbalanced emotions can cause physical pain to develop, and that physical pain impacts mental health. He works to internally harmonize each patient both physically and mentally.
Dr. Zachary Truncali holds a Doctorate of Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College as well as a Master’s of Science in Acupuncture from the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.Dr. Truncali was consecutively named to the Dean’s List in both the chiropractic and acupuncture programs, was named a member of the Phi Chi Omega Chiropractic Scholastic Honor society, and is certified in Clean Needle Technique by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Dr. Truncali has worked extensively with a variety of patients during his clinical rotations at locations such as Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Rochester VA Hospital, Monroe Community Hospital, Seneca Falls Health Center, and NYCC Campus Health Center. Additionally, he has worked with athletes including baseball teams, marathoners, triathlon competitors, CrossFitters, and weekend warriors. In April 2016, Dr. Truncali studied at Zhejiang Hospital in Hangzhou, China. There he completed a 100 hour clinical internship program under the supervision of the Zhejiang Provincial Hospital and learned contemporary acupuncture and tui na techniques, the latest acupuncture theories and approaches in the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Medical models.
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