When stress is piling up, it can feel overwhelming and block our ability to clearly see any way forward. Often, physical signs come up such as tunnel vision, a tight chest, ringing ears, headaches or perhaps your belly summersaults. 

At worst, there are panic attacks, shaking, numbness, shivering or spontaneous sweating, numb fingers, racing thoughts and often dream disturbed sleeps.

As an acupuncturist, I see these signs of stress in my patients nearly every day. Some are diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety or major depressive disorder, and some patients need the pressure valve to release so they can move fluidly through the rest of their week. I typically stay in the room during acupuncture to add reiki or cranio sacral therapy or guided meditation to treatments that need a little extra care. I want to ensure patients remain comfortable as their meridians open and stress begins to dissipate, especially when our open heart is in a vulnerable state. 

I take a mindful and self-compassionate approach to emotional health. It’s incredible how we can use various small gestures to center ourselves. Simple phrases and meditations can help us reconnect with our breath and ground into our wholeness as a new, integrated version of ourselves is born. Mindful self-compassion can transform how you relate to yourself and that guides how you treat yourself and move through life.

We have all heard about stress causing Fight, Flight or Freeze. The path through these states is self kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. These are the core principles of Self Compassion, as taught by Kirstin Neff & Christopher Gerber.

Freeze: When we freeze, our stress turns inwards and causes rumination. Excessive, circular thinking without resolution is difficult to break free from. The antidote is mindfulness. Simply noticing the discomfort or stress then acknowledging and naming it is the first step to being compassionate with ourselves.

Flight: this stress response turned inwards causes isolation. It is a core part of the human experience to have suffering. Everybody suffers. Not everybody suffers in the same way, but everyone indeed does suffer and in that way we are not alone. Phrases such as “Suffering is a part of life”, and “This is how it feels when people struggle this way.” are helpful.

Fight: When stress is turned inwards it becomes self criticism. Taking a few moments to offer soothing touch, to notice our breath or gently stroke our arms or cup our hands helps soften this reflexive response. Phrases such as, “May i begin to accept myself as I am.”, “May I forgive myself.” And “May I be patient.” are often helpful.

The yang aspects of self compassion are about being out in the world in a way which honours the whole being. Using loving energy for self protection, to providing for our emotional needs and to motivate ourselves are also essential aspects of self care.

Headaches and migraines are often treated with acupuncture and or massage and even Chinese herbs.

When our metabolism becomes dysregulated, a variety of symptoms arise and Chinese Herbal Medicine works to improve the function of organs and hormones that control water metabolism, appetite regulation, stress response and irregular bowels. 

Acupuncture for Pain Management: How Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science

Acupuncture, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used for thousands of years to alleviate pain, restore balance, and encourage the body’s innate healing abilities. Today, research confirms that its benefits extend far beyond relaxation—acupuncture can be an effective, drug-free option for managing both acute and chronic pain conditions such as back pain, arthritis, sports injuries, and post-surgical discomfort.

The practice involves inserting ultra-fine, sterile needles into specific points along the body’s meridians. While the classical explanation speaks of balancing Qi (vital energy) and harmonizing organ systems, modern science has identified clear biochemical and neurological mechanisms that help explain acupuncture’s pain-relieving effects.

Here are five key neurotransmitters and chemical mediators released during acupuncture that promote healing:

1. Endorphins – Often called the body’s “natural morphine,” endorphins bind to opioid receptors in the nervous system, reducing the perception of pain and creating a sense of well-being.

2. Enkephalins – Another group of endogenous opioids, enkephalins help block pain signals in the spinal cord and brain, providing rapid relief for both acute and chronic pain.

3. Serotonin – Known for mood regulation, serotonin also modulates pain perception and supports better sleep—an essential factor in tissue repair and recovery.

4. Nitric Oxide (NO) – This naturally produced gas relaxes blood vessels, improving local circulation. Enhanced blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues, speeds healing, and reduces inflammation.

5. Adenosine – Released at the site of needling, adenosine has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, calming overactive nerve signals and aiding in tissue regeneration.

Through these biochemical changes, acupuncture addresses multiple dimensions of pain: it dampens pain signals, reduces inflammation, improves blood flow, and stimulates the repair of damaged tissues.

For acute pain—such as sports injuries, sprains, or post-operative discomfort—acupuncture can quickly decrease swelling and muscle tension, allowing for greater mobility during the healing process.

For chronic pain—including arthritis, fibromyalgia, and repetitive strain injuries—it can interrupt the cycle of pain, inflammation, and restricted movement. Regular sessions may reduce reliance on medication, improving long-term quality of life without the side effects often associated with pharmaceuticals.

Acupuncture’s effectiveness lies in its holistic approach—treating not only the site of pain but the whole person. By encouraging the body’s own healing chemistry and restoring energetic balance, it offers a safe, natural path to recovery for those seeking alternatives or complements to conventional care.

If you’re struggling with pain, acute or chronic, acupuncture may help you find relief while supporting your body’s natural ability to heal itself.