Find Some Calm This Holiday Season with Acupuncture
The holiday season can be a whirlwind of activities and emotions. While it brings joy and celebration, it can also escalate stress, anxiety, and exacerbate chronic symptoms.
If you’re experiencing…
- Higher stress and anxiety from increased social obligations
- Worsening of chronic symptoms due to stress (such as digestive symptoms, poor sleep, or pain)
- Increased/relentless tension in your neck and upper shoulders
- Or you really just need the opportunity to slow down and decompress for a moment.
Whether it’s one or all of the above, acupuncture can really help!
Acupuncture is wonderful at reducing stress, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm, and there’s lots of research to back it up.
Why Choose Acupuncture for Holiday Stress?
Acupuncture is not just about managing pain; it’s a holistic approach to wellness, especially effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed. Numerous research studies support the efficacy of acupuncture in regulating key components of our body’s stress response.
How Acupuncture Works to Alleviate Stress and Anxiety
- Regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System: Acupuncture helps in lowering elevated heart rates and cortisol levels, which is pivotal in managing stress. (See here).
- Boosting Mood and Sleep: By regulating serotonin levels, which impact mood and sleep, acupuncture aids in creating a balanced emotional state. (See here).
- Increasing Endorphins: These natural “feel-good” hormones are elevated, enhancing overall well-being.
Systematic reviews, the gold standard in research, compile data from multiple studies to draw broad conclusions. Several of these reviews in the past decade have shown significant positive effects of acupuncture in treating anxiety and panic attacks. A notable 2016 review and a comprehensive 2018 study both concluded that acupuncture is effective in treating anxiety disorders, often with fewer side effects than conventional treatments.
Can I actually relax with acupuncture needles in?
Yes! Many are curious if relaxation is possible with needles involved, but the needles used in acupuncture are incredibly thin, often unnoticeable. As acupuncture dissolves the body’s stress response, a deep sense of relaxation sets in, often leading patients to fall asleep during the session.
So if you’re navigating the high tides of holiday stress and anxiety, consider acupuncture as a tranquil harbor. Patients frequently express astonishment at the profound relaxation they experience during and after their sessions.
For more insights and research, see here for more information on acupuncture for stress and anxiety. If you’d like to book an appointment online, you can do so here. Alternatively, feel free to contact me at the clinic on 03 8774 5588 or at lachlan@lachlanmcdonaldacupuncture.com.au.