In the world of today, when stress, anxiety and depression threaten to overwhelm us and decrease our wellbeing, we need to pay attention to the various ways that prevent such a process. Everyone needs to take proactive steps to counter stress, and one such is acupuncture. 

The treatment has deep roots in Chinese tradition and Chinese Medicine practices. It has been used for thousands of years, although it has been mostly utilised in Western societies for a century. People have relied on acupuncture for a whole host of conditions, in addition to stress relief. It is based on the idea that essential energy (Qi) flows through meridians in the body. As these become blocked, the energy doesn’t flow freely, and so negative conditions follow. By working on specific points of the body to unblock the pathways of the Qi energy, acupuncture aims to restore balance and bring back emotional and physical wellbeing. 

The mechanism of work for acupuncture is inserting very thin needles in acupuncture points in the body. This process releases tension and there is a certain psychological aspect to it that makes it particularly effective for stress relief. There are many reasons to try out acupuncture for stress: 

• It helps the body release natural ‘feel-good’ hormones – one of the main reasons why acupuncture is so effective against stress lies with the main mechanism of action. As the needles are inserted, the body releases feel-good hormones, which instantly lead to relaxation and overcoming the negative effects of cortisol. This process occurs naturally with acupuncture, making it a very effective tool for combating stress. 
  
  
• It leads to relaxation – acupuncture is a process that leads to relaxation. The whole procedure is centred around the comfort that one needs to experience, to feel good. Usually, the person will lie down on a table, and then the acupuncturist will insert the needles into pressure points. The needles will then remain in place for a short time. The acupuncturist may also utilise essential oils and calming music to further contribute to the relaxation and feeling of calm for their client. 
  
  
• A fine alternative to medication – many people think the only way to address the issue of stress is to rely on some sort of medication. This is especially the case if they have reached a new level and are dealing with anxiety and depression. But medications are often associated with many unwanted side effects and that is what makes them questionable. Acupuncture, on the other hand, doesn’t have any negative side effects and that is why it is such a good option for stress relief. 
  
  
• It acts like physical therapy for the brain – because acupuncture works to release stress-combating hormones in the brain and the body, it is like doing physical therapy. And once a person has a regular acupuncture schedule, the brain learns to trigger this release of hormones daily. This can happen when a person is consistent with their acupuncture sessions and shows perseverance, to make the most of it. 
  
  
• Acupuncture teaches a person to make time for themselves – the beauty of acupuncture sessions lies with the beauty of spending time for oneself and not worrying about anything else. Acupuncture means self-care and that is the best strategy for combating stress anyone can adopt. It shifts the fight or flight response towards personal growth and wellbeing. 
  
  

There are many advantages to relying on acupuncture for stress relief. It is an effective solution to a notable problem. 

© The Acupuncturist Ltd