Can acupuncture help me relax?
Who couldn’t do with feeling more relaxed? Downregulating our nervous system to a more calm and peaceful state is not always easy given the many demands of life, so it’s no wonder that people often wonder whether acupuncture can be a part of a programme of managing stress and finding some calm.
In my Berkhamsted practice, it’s a common topic that people will often ask about. In my twenty years of practice I often hear people say some variation of:
- "I feel wired all the time, even when I'm trying to rest"
- "My mind won't switch off"
- "My shoulders and neck are tight all the time"
- "I need to find a way to relax"
- “I'm always just barely coping"
Relaxation is one of those experiences much like falling asleep – trying to make it happen doesn’t work. It’s a state characterised by letting go rather than one of effortful trying. And relaxation isn’t just about switching off mentally – it’s a whole-body experience. When we're chronically under pressure, our nervous system can get stuck in a state of high alert, making genuine rest feel elusive.
Understanding How Stress Affects Our System
Our nervous system has two main operating modes: the sympathetic system ("fight or flight") and the parasympathetic system ("rest and digest"). Modern life tends to keep us predominantly in that first mode—alert, vigilant, and ready for action.
The problem is that our bodies didn’t evolve to stay in this state constantly. We need regular periods where the parasympathetic system can take over, allowing for restoration, repair, and a deeper sense of calm.
How Acupuncture May Work: A Scientific Perspective
While acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years, modern research is beginning to understand how it might work from a scientific perspective. When fine needles are inserted at specific points, several things may happen:
- Research suggests that needle insertion stimulates sensory nerves, which send signals to the spinal cord and brain. This may trigger the release of natural pain-relieving and mood-regulating chemicals, including endorphins and serotonin.
- Some studies suggest acupuncture may influence the autonomic nervous system, which could help shift the body toward a more balanced or restful state.
What Happens During an Acupuncture Session
People often ask me what acupuncture actually feels like. Here's what typically happens in my practice:
We start with an initial consultation and a wider conversation about your general wellbeing, lifestyle, sleep patterns, and what's been happening in your life. I take a holistic view, recognising that stress affects different people in different ways and that your individual response to treatment will be unique.
The Treatment Process
Using very fine needles (much thinner than injection needles), I gently insert them at specific points chosen based on both traditional acupuncture knowledge and current understanding of anatomy and physiology. The point selection depends on your individual needs and what your body might benefit from on that particular day.
Most people are surprised that the process is much easier than they anticipated. Most of our unconscious references for being needled are from having blood taken or from having vaccinations when we were younger; acupuncture doesn’t feel anything like this.
The needle sensation is often described as a tingling sense of pressure or heaviness that spreads a little beyond the area needled. The needles typically remain in place for about 20–30 minutes while you rest quietly.
The Experience of Deep Rest
During this time, many people report a profound sense of relaxation settling over them. Some describe feeling like they're floating, others notice tensions they weren't even aware of beginning to release. It's also not uncommon for people to fall asleep during this time.
Some research suggests acupuncture may influence brain chemistry and nervous system activity, which could relate to the deep relaxation some people report.
A Whole-Person Approach
What I find valuable about acupuncture is that it addresses the person as a whole rather than focusing on isolated symptoms. If you come feeling stressed and unable to relax, I'm also interested in how you're sleeping, your energy levels, your general health, and your overall sense of wellbeing.
This is because the body's systems are interconnected. Chronic pressure is known to affect many aspects of wellbeing, including sleep, digestion, and energy levels. Acupuncture may support the body’s natural processes and overall sense of balance.
What People Often Experience
Some people notice immediate changes during their first session, others find the effects more subtle initially but notice gradual improvements in their ability to unwind and their overall sense of wellbeing over several sessions.
Some people describe feeling "reset" after treatment, as if their nervous system has been gently recalibrated. Others notice they sleep more deeply, feel less reactive to daily stresses, or simply have more resilience to handle whatever life throws at them.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Acupuncture isn't a magic solution to life's pressures. It won't change your workload or eliminate the challenges you're facing, but what some people find is that it helps them respond to these challenges from a calmer, more grounded place.
The scientific view suggests that acupuncture may support your body's own regulatory mechanisms—helping to optimise functions that are already present, rather than imposing change from the outside.
Who Might Benefit from Acupuncture?
You might want to explore acupuncture if you:
- Are interested in evidence-informed complementary approaches
- Want to support your body's natural stress-response systems
- Are looking for approaches that work with your physiology
- Enjoy treatments that address your wellbeing holistically
- Want dedicated time for deep relaxation and restoration
My Acupuncture Practice in Berkhamsted
I've been practicing acupuncture in Berkhamsted for over 20 years, and am also a Cognitive Hypnotherapist and a Counsellor. This combination gives me deep appreciation for how our physical and emotional states interconnect, and how addressing one often benefits the other.
My approach combines respect for traditional acupuncture wisdom with current scientific understanding of how the treatment might work. I'm interested in understanding not just your symptoms, but you as a whole person, your lifestyle, constitution, and what your body needs to function optimally.
Common Questions About Acupuncture and Relaxation
Q. Does acupuncture hurt?
Most people describe the sensation as a dull, heavy sense of pressure or tingling that then gradually passes. It’s usually much gentler than people expect.
Q. How many sessions might I need?
This varies greatly between individuals and depends on how long you've been feeling under pressure and how your body responds. Some benefit from occasional sessions, while others prefer regular appointments. I usually suggest a course of 6 weekly sessions to begin with and monitor how you respond.
Q. Is acupuncture safe?
Yes—acupuncture is considered very safe when performed by trained professionals. A major UK study of over 34,000 treatments found no serious adverse events (MacPherson et al., 2001), and a review of more than a million sessions confirmed that significant complications are extremely rare (Ernst & White, 2001). Larger European studies support these findings, showing only minor, short-lived side effects like bruising or mild needling discomfort (Witt et al., 2009).
Q. How does acupuncture differ from other relaxation techniques?
Acupuncture works with the body’s physiology and may influence the nervous system in ways some people find supportive. It offers a different route into relaxation compared to purely mental techniques.
Q. What should I expect after treatment?
Everyone is different. Some people feel deeply relaxed straight away; others notice gradual improvements in sleep, resilience, or overall wellbeing.
Q. Does everyone respond to acupuncture?
A. No, like many forms of therapy, acupuncture doesn’t work for everyone. Research suggests around 50–70% of people experience meaningful benefits. Genetics may play a role in how your body responds, but other factors like the condition being treated, treatment frequency, and individual sensitivity also matter.
Next steps
If you're curious about whether acupuncture might be suitable for you, I'm happy to discuss your individual circumstances and answer any questions you might have.
Phone: 07717 515 013
Email: sean@seanheneghan.com
Location: Berkhamsted Chiropractic Clinic, 69 High Street, Berkhamsted HP4 2DE
Appointments available Monday to Friday, daytime and evening.
Important note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your GP about any health concerns. Individual experiences vary and results cannot be guaranteed.
Sean Heneghan is a qualified traditional acupuncturist and member of The British Acupuncture Council, the main regulatory body for the practice of acupuncture in the UK. He's also a BACP-registered counsellor. He has been providing acupuncture in Berkhamsted for 20 years informed by both traditional knowledge and current scientific understanding, alongside is counselling practice.