By Dr. John Rybak, DAc.

Feeling stressed? You’re not alone. From busy schedules to endless to-do lists and doom-scrolling, modern life can feel like a marathon… without the medal. But what if we told you that a few tiny needles could help you relax, sleep better, and even feel happier?

That’s right—acupuncture isn’t just for sore muscles, headaches, and back pain (but we do that too). It might be just what you need to feel calm, clear, and a little more like yourself again.

Wait—Needles? For Relaxation?

Yep, it sounds a little strange, but hear us out. Acupuncture uses super-thin needles (like hair-thin!) placed in specific spots on your body to help your system chill out. It’s like a mini-reset button for your brain and body when an acupuncturist soothes the electrical system.  Many people fall asleep during treatments.  Think of it as assisted meditation.

Science backs it up, too! A study in Brain Research showed that acupuncture can help your brain handle stress better by changing how it reacts (Huang et al., 2018). Another study found acupuncture lowers cortisol, the hormone your body makes when you’re freaking out (Eshkevari et al., 2013).

Less cortisol = more calm.

And if sleep is part of your stress struggle, acupuncture helps there too! Research in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed improved sleep quality in stressed-out adults after acupuncture treatment (Spence et al., 2004).

Star Power: Who’s Doing It?

Lots of famous folks love acupuncture!
Jennifer Aniston swears by it to stay centered and radiant.
Gwyneth Paltrow called it her “healing go-to.”
Robert Downey Jr. used acupuncture during his wellness comeback.
Even Oprah has given it her wellness seal of approval.

So, if it’s good enough for Iron Man and Oprah, we’re listening.

Sleep, Mood, and All the Good Vibes

Feeling anxious or having trouble sleeping? You’re not alone. Acupuncture has been shown to help people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer (Spence et al., 2004). It also helps ease anxiety by boosting feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin and endorphins (Amorim et al., 2021). Bonus: it’s drug-free and has very few side effects.

Another cool study found that acupuncture not only helped with mental stress, but also reduced muscle tension and physical fatigue (Errington-Evans, 2012). It’s like a massage for your nervous system!

Bottom Line

If you’re tired of feeling tired, cranky, or stuck in stress-mode, acupuncture could be a game-changer. It’s gentle, natural, and backed by science. And let’s be honest—if lying down in a quiet room while someone helps your body relax sounds like self-care magic… that’s because it kind of is.

References

• Huang, W. et al. (2018). Brain imaging of acupuncture effects on the central nervous system. Brain Research, 1689, 95–105.
• Eshkevari, L. et al. (2013). Acupuncture blocks cold stress–induced increases in cortisol. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 7, 93.
• Spence, D. W. et al. (2004). Acupuncture increases melatonin and improves sleep and anxiety. J Alt Comp Med, 10(3), 431–436.
• Amorim, D. et al. (2021). Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for anxiety disorders. Medicine (Baltimore), 100(1), e24336.

Errington-Evans, N. (2012). Acupuncture for anxiety. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012.