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Acupuncture is a centuries-old healing practice, finding roots in China more than 3,000 years ago before becoming known in America and Europe between the 16th and 19th centuries. As people worked to discover its undeniable health benefits, acupuncture became widely spread and used, gaining ground over the world and being practiced today by acupuncturists for patients who seek to improve their well-being and health in a holistic approach.
The technique is increasingly used in clinical settings by specialized professionals with studies in Eastern medicine and acupuncture, with reports from the World Health Organization showing that this is among the most broadly utilized medical practice worldwide, experiencing continuous growth in popularity.
Over 3 million Americans took advantage of acupuncture last year, with numbers growing by leaps and bounds. However, one burning question needs additional explanation: does acupuncture really help reduce stress? And if the answer is yes, then how?
The link between acupuncture and stress relief
Many connections have been made between acupuncture and a wide range of emotions besides stress, including depression, anxiety and emotional issues, each being improved after several sessions of this therapeutic practice. Some factors leading to lower stress levels are linked to improved blood circulation in the body, stemming from the practice’s effect on the muscles. According to Dr. Jason S. Lipetz, a physician at Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine in East Meadow, New York, acupuncture helps encourage your body’s natural balance by overcoming energy blockages and assisting the organism’s ability to heal itself.
If any of the symptoms related to chronic stress worry you, reaching out to a Long Island acupuncturist can help you gain better insight into the healing practice and determine whether you should try it. This treatment has no downsides, so if you’re a victim of the daily, pressing stress symptoms experienced by anyone, trying a proven alleviating method might prove just what you need.
How can acupuncture decrease stress levels?
Acupuncture, or “dry needling,” as it is also called, may at first sound painful to those who have just recently given this practice a thought and are unfamiliar with the whole process. However, when carried out by a skilled practitioner, acupuncture usually doesn’t cause pain or discomfort, especially if the patient starts the journey with a relaxed mind.
A specialized acupuncturist introduces thin needles at different depths in critical points in your body, stimulating the release of neurotransmitters and endorphins, with dopamine and serotonin included. The two molecules are responsible for sending feelings of pleasure and positive emotions throughout your body, which is why in their absence, depression may find fertile ground to appear.
Stress is a normal part of life, bringing about many emotions and body responses, like increased blood pressure and heart rate. But by improving the flow of Qi and sending messages to the brain through acupuncture, the whole body starts to relieve stress, boost pain-killing chemicals in the brain, and increase feel-good hormones.
Whether you experience chronic stress factors like constant worry, gut issues, sleep trouble, tension, or other symptoms, contacting an acupuncturist can help determine whether acupuncture is for you.
