Dealing with Stress - Acupuncture

By Uloop Writer on December 6, 2012

Acupuncture isn’t something that the average college student would consider to help alleviate stress. But you should give it a try. No, really, you should. Let me tell you why.

It took me a long time to write this post because often when I tell people that I get acupuncture, they give me comments about how it’s not real medicine or how it’s all in my head. Yet, I can’t see how people can so easily dismiss a medical technique that has existed for centuries. I’m not the only person who swears by it or I would never have tried it in the first place. Acupuncture has been offered as an alternative treatment for countless diseases.

So, I’ll start by saying that I am not an expert in acupuncture and I can’t explain the technical aspects of it. Whilst the argument about a “placebo effect” could be possibly be made, when I hear stories about college students receiving anti-anxiety and antidepressant medication, the first thing that comes to mind is that they should try acupuncture instead.

Since I’m no expert in explaining it, I decided to quote the Mayo clinic on what acupuncture does:

Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as qi or chi (CHEE) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance.

In contrast, many Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. This stimulation appears to boost the activity of your body’s natural painkillers and increase blood flow.

Honestly, it works. Especially for stress. And, no, there are not a hundred needles. Imagine it like having a massage without anyone touching you. You lie down for half an hour and just rest. Rest, sounds nice, right? The thing is though, acupuncture is so much more than a massage, a nap or yoga–although it does feel like you have done all of those things at once afterwards. When I go to my acupuncture appointment, I discuss with my acupuncturists (a father-son duo) what is wrong and what I want them to focus on. Not only does that mean that I receive treatment tailored to my needs but I also have been given the best life advice and inspirational speeches from the two of them.

I do feel different afterwards: my face glows, I feel more centered and my stomach pains go away (did I mention it’s an excellent treatment for anxiety?). The needles left in my ears (I have one in each right now) give me balance and peace. Most of all, I feel that things are going to be okay.

So instead of reaching for pills, alcohol or just living a life of general unhealthiness, give acupuncture a try. I promise you won’t regret it.

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