Do You Know Acupuncture May Help Release Stress and Improve Your Sleep?

Stress and sleep problems often go hand-in-hand: Stress makes it harder to sleep, while not getting enough sleep makes stress symptoms worse. Finding a solution that addresses both issues can be challenging — but fortunately, acupuncture can help.

At Jan Acupuncture, Jianqin He, LAc, Dipl. OM, CMD, uses a patient-centered approach to care, tailoring acupuncture therapy to each patient’s specific symptoms, needs, and goals. In this post, learn the basics of acupuncture, as well as how it can play a role in managing stress and optimizing sleep quality.

Acupuncture 101

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese healing practice first used about 3,000 years ago. During an acupuncture therapy session, your provider inserts extremely thin needles into specific locations on your body. These locations are sometimes called acupoints.

Though researchers still aren’t sure how acupuncture works to relieve issues like pain, stress, and sleep issues, they surmise the needles stimulate the body’s central nervous system, triggering the release of chemicals that may enhance natural healing and emotional well-being.

Although the idea of having needles inserted through your skin may sound painful, treatment is actually well-tolerated. Keep in mind that the needles that acupuncturists use are very thin — far thinner than needles used in vaccines and medicine injection — and they aren’t inserted deeply. 

There’s no downtime following therapy, but many people plan to relax afterward to enjoy the feelings of calmness and well-being that often follow.

Acupuncture for stress relief

Chronic stress is a reality for many of us, thanks to the fast pace of society and the ever-increasing responsibilities we end up shouldering. 

On its own, stress might not seem like anything more than an annoyance. Without stress management, chronic stress increases your risk of other serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, headaches, and lower immune function. 

Acupuncture helps relieve stress by stimulating the nervous system, releasing chemicals that promote calmness and relaxation. Specifically, acupuncture triggers production of serotonin and endorphins, natural “feel-good” chemicals that help balance mood and reduce anxiety.

Improving sleep with acupuncture

As noted earlier, stress and sleep often share a cyclical relationship, with each issue making the other problem worse. By reducing stress, acupuncture helps stop those racing thoughts and worries that keep you up at night, so you can fall asleep faster.

Increases in serotonin associated with acupuncture therapy can help, too, by improving the overall quality of your sleep and regulating the production and release of melatonin, another chemical involved in better sleep habits. Better quality sleep helps your body heal faster and promotes better mood regulation, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety during the day, too.

Better still, acupuncture helps improve your sleep without relying on medications that can have unpleasant side effects, providing natural, holistic relief based on your body’s natural chemistry.

Holistic, natural solutions for sleep and anxiety

Both stress and sleep problems can take a toll on your physical health and emotional well-being. To learn how acupuncture can help you manage both of these all-too-common issues, request an appointment online or over the phone with Jan Acupuncture in Springfield or Sterling, Virginia, today.