Acupuncture proactively reduces stress. Here’s how.
Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has helped countless persons reduce stress and improve overall well being for centuries. Below are five of the many reasons to try acupuncture for stress and anxiety relief.
- Yes, there are needles, and they don’t hurt. To restore the body’s stress equilibrium, we use very fine needles inserted just under the skin to stimulate our body’s acupressure points and meridians and improve the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy in our systems. After an extensive evaluation, your practitioner will determine the best points to place the needles on your body. You’ll lay on a padded table, and your acupuncturist will begin placing needles with a light tap at each site. The needles are so fine that you’ll barely feel it. There may be one that feels “strong” or like a mosquito bite.
- Acupuncture sessions provide relaxation time. In addition to the healing effects the needles offer, the session itself calms and relaxes you. After placing the needles, you’ll rest for about 30 minutes and allow the treatment to unfold. During this time, you can listen to soft music, rest your eyes, or even fall lightly asleep.
- There are no side-effects with acupuncture. Since acupuncture is a drug-free treatment modality, you won’t have to worry about the side effects that many drugs carry. Further, you can also rest assured there will not be any adverse drug interactions with your current medications. Your acupuncturist will recommend a treatment frequency to help you achieve your desired stress-reduction objectives.
- Acupuncture uses your body’s internal mechanisms to bring relief. When the fine needles stimulate nerves under the skin, the nerve sends a message to the brain, telling it to release our natural pain killers, called endorphins. These natural brain chemicals cause us to relax and feel euphoric or happy. Acupuncture also helps our bodies naturally reduce inflammation and pain as well, which can both increase with chronic stress.
- Going to your appointment means taking much needed time for self-care. Unlike popping a pill and soldiering on, scheduling and attending an acupuncture appointment adjusts your focus back on yourself. Part of reducing stress is changing our mindsets and habits. Not only is acupuncture effective in changing your internal stress-induced chemistry but maintaining a consistent treatment schedule helps you make time for yourself and re-prioritize your stressful habits.
