Acupuncture is an ancient practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. While it’s commonly known for its effectiveness in alleviating physical pain, it can also be beneficial for reducing stress and promoting overall well-being.

Here’s how acupuncture helps reduce stress!

1. Regulates the Nervous System: Acupuncture has been shown to modulate the autonomic nervous system, which controls the body’s fight-or-flight response. By stimulating certain acupuncture points, acupuncture can help regulate the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for the stress response) and activate the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for relaxation and restoration), leading to a calmer state of mind.
2. Reduces Cortisol Levels: Chronic stress can lead to elevated levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, which can have detrimental effects on health. Acupuncture has been found to lower cortisol levels, helping to counteract the physiological effects of stress on the body.
3. Promotes Relaxation: Acupuncture treatments often induce a state of deep relaxation, similar to the effects of meditation or deep breathing exercises. This relaxation response can help reduce muscle tension, lower blood pressure, and calm the mind, leading to an overall sense of well-being.
4. Balances Neurotransmitters: Acupuncture may influence the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are involved in mood regulation. By promoting the release of these “feel-good” chemicals, acupuncture can help improve mood and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression that often accompany chronic stress.
5. Enhances Sleep Quality: Stress and sleep are closely interconnected, with stress often leading to insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns. Acupuncture has been shown to improve sleep quality by reducing stress and anxiety levels, allowing the body to enter a more restful state conducive to sleep.
6. Addresses Underlying Imbalances: According to TCM theory, stress and other emotional disturbances are often related to imbalances in the body’s Qi (vital energy) and organ systems. Acupuncture treatments aim to restore balance and harmony within the body by addressing these underlying imbalances, thereby alleviating stress and promoting overall health.

Experience relief from stress as your body finds its natural state of equilibrium, paving the way for profound relaxation and rejuvenation.

Book your next Acupuncture session online or call us at 503-746-6095.

Dr Whitney Green Bautista, LAc, Dipl. OM, DACM, MAcOM Licensed Acupuncturist and Board Certified Herbalist

Check out her profile here.