Acupuncture & the Nervous System: A Chill Pill Without the Pill

Lately, I’ve been having a lot of conversations in clinic that go something like this:"I don’t know why I’m so tense. I just feel... constantly wired. Like I can’t switch off—even when I try."

And I get it! Most of us are walking around in a state of low-grade stress that we’ve kind of accepted as normal. The to-do lists, the background noise of life, the constant sense that we should be doing more, forgetting to do things. It creeps into our bodies—usually somewhere between our shoulders (which are now living just below our ears) and that slightly buzzy, never-quite-rested feeling.

This is one of the reasons I love acupuncture so much. It gives your nervous system the reset it’s been quietly begging for.

When I place those tiny, gentle needles (I promise—they're not scary), what I’m really doing is inviting your body into a different state. We call it the parasympathetic response—the part of your nervous system responsible for rest, digestion, and repair. Basically, the opposite of fight-or-flight.

Once you're in that state, everything starts to shift. Stress hormones like cortisol begin to ease off. Your heart rate slows. Muscles unclench. And those tight, drawn-up shoulders? They finally get the memo that they can drop back down.

There’s a kind of magic in the stillness that follows. Not the woo-woo kind, but the kind rooted in science: acupuncture has been shown to support the vagus nerve, boost feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin, and help regulate mood, sleep, and digestion. It's not just about feeling relaxed in the moment—it helps your whole system remember how to stay calm, even when life keeps lifing.

Every session starts with a chat—because I want to know how you’re really doing. Not just your symptoms, but how stress shows up in your body. From there, we tailor the treatment to support you exactly where you’re at.

People often say they leave feeling clearer, lighter, more like themselves. And over time, I see this beautiful shift where their nervous system becomes less reactive, more steady. It’s like the body is learning that it’s safe again.

So if your shoulders are creeping up, your sleep’s gone rogue, or you’re just feeling a bit... on edge, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to stay stuck in that space. Acupuncture offers a gentle, steady way back to balance. And honestly, in this fast-paced world? That’s something we could all use a little more of.

Warm wishes

Annette