Stress Relief with Acupuncture

It sounds a bit odd, but having needles stuck into you can be very relaxing. 

Our lives today are busier than ever with increasing pressure in all areas of our lives. The demands and expectations of work, family, society and those we place on ourselves can take a toll on many aspects of our health and wellbeing.

At Full Circle Acupuncture, we love to help people reduce their stress symptoms, build resilience and gain a sense of calm so they can get back to feeling like themselves again.

What is Stress and what does it do to us?

Our brain reacts to stress in the same way it reacts to physical danger -  by activating the Sympathetic Nervous System, commonly known as the “fight or flight” response. 

This is great when we need to fight off a threat or run away from danger.  Adrenaline and cortisol are released to boost what we need for immediate survival - increasing blood flow to our muscles, opening the lungs, releasing some glucose for energy, dilating our pupils and increasing alertness. At the same time body activities are suppressed like digestion, reproduction and the immune system to conserve energy for fighting or fleeing.  

Unfortunately, chronic stress keeps the Sympathetic Nervous System engaged and it can result in issues all over our bodies, make existing conditions worse and can lead to burnout.

We can end up with symptoms including:

Musculoskeletal problems:

  • Headaches and Migraines

  • Neck Pain

  • Shoulder Pain

  • Back Pain

  • TMJ or Jaw pain

Digestive issues:

  • Stomach Aches

  • Bloating

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhea or Constipation

  • Worsening of conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Energy and Sleep:

  • Insomnia

  • Fatigue

  • Poor Concentration, Attention and Focus

  • Brain Fog

Mental Health:

  • Anxiety

  • Frustration and Irritability

  • Overwhelm

  • Emotional Fragility

  • Depression

As well as negatively impacting our cardiovascular system, immune system and hormones.

What can we do to manage stress?

To counter the effects of stress we need to bring the body back into balance and engage the Parasympathetic Nervous System known as “rest and digest”.

Some great ways to do this are:

  • Slow and deliberate breathing practices such as box breathing

  • Gentle movement like a stroll in nature, yoga or tai chi

  • Mindfulness activities like body scanning

  • Connection and physical touch maybe patting a pet or hugging a calm friend

All these things encourage us to slow down, lower our breathing and heart rates, bring our focus back to our body thus signalling to our brain that we are safe.

And… have an acupuncture treatment!

Acupuncture helps to bring the body back into balance and engages the parasympathetic nervous system - taking us from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest”. 

Herbal Medicine, Massage or Cupping may also be used in the management of stress.

What does the research show?

There is a huge amount of research showing that acupuncture can be beneficial with the management of physical symptoms such as back and joint pain. Recent research is also showing that acupuncture has an effect within the brain (central nervous system), highlighting a possible reason that it can be so relaxing.

A 2022 study used functional MRI of the brain to demonstrate that points in the wrist reduced patients symptoms by regulating the activity of regions in the brain related to stress and anxiety. 

A very recent study, published in April 2026, showed that acupuncture regulates neurotransmitter related chemicals and effectively reduced anxiety symptoms and induced positive changes in brain regions such as the amygdala and hippocampus.

Book an Appointment for Stress Relief Acupuncture

Make an appointment with us by calling 0494 611 796 or book online by clicking here or the button below.

You can also call or email if you have any questions or would like to learn more

Acupuncture for Stress Management anxiety and burnout in Clifton Hill
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Research and Further Reading

  • Li C, et al. Effects of Acupuncture at Neiguan in Neural Activity of Related Brain Regions: A Resting-State fMRI Study in Anxiety. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2022 Jul

  • Sun Z, et al. Acupuncture Modulates Neurotransmitter-Related Molecules in the Amygdala to Ameliorate Generalized Anxiety Disorder. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2026 Apr

Disclaimer: Each individuals’ treatment and/ or results may vary from person to person depending on the specifics of the situation. Results are not promised or guaranteed as a result of receiving a treatment with Full Circle Acupuncture

© April 2026 - S Dauncey/Full Circle Acupuncture