Over time that can show up as digestive trouble, poor sleep, headaches, back pain, irritability and fatigue. You may catch every cold going around. Many people come to us simply because they want to feel like themselves again.
How Chinese medicine sees it
Chinese medicine describes qi, the body's energy, moving through pathways called meridians. Ongoing stress disrupts that flow and slowly drains your energy, which is why it can touch so many parts of your health at once.
Acupuncture aims to calm the fight-or-flight response and encourage the brain's own feel-good, calming chemistry. You don't have to believe in qi to feel the deep relaxation many people notice on the table.
How we treat it
- Calming acupuncture in a quiet, comfortable room, often with soothing music.
- Ear points, or ear seeds you can press at home between visits.
- Custom herbal formulas prescribed by Scott Paglia, L.Ac., for your stress pattern.
- Cupping and bodywork for tension held in the neck, shoulders and back.
- Dietary therapy and practical lifestyle changes.
What to expect
- A relaxed consultation and a full health history. We'll ask about what's weighing on you and how stress shows up in your body, and about your sleep, digestion, energy and stress too.
- A traditional Chinese medicine exam, including your pulse and your tongue.
- A clear explanation of what we found and how Chinese medicine understands it.
- A treatment plan made for you, with time for all your questions.
- We'll recommend a plan after your first appointment, and adjust it as we see how you respond.
If stress is affecting your health, keep your physician or counselor involved; acupuncture works well alongside their care.
Common questions
What does a treatment feel like?
Most people are surprised at how relaxing it is. You rest quietly on a heated table in a comfortable room while the needles do their work. Many people drift off.
Is this just for big stress, or everyday stress too?
Both. Many people come to us for the everyday build-up of work, family and life, not only for a crisis.