The Benefits of Acupuncture for Chronic Pain and Stress Relief

When pain and stress take over your daily life, even basic tasks can feel like too much. While medications may provide temporary relief, they don’t always address the root of the issue. That’s where acupuncture, a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine, offers an effective alternative.

At Health Advantage Physical Medicine in Pasadena, California, our team combines acupuncture with evidence-based physical medicine to help patients manage pain, and reduce stress.

How acupuncture works

Acupuncture involves inserting very small, sterile needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the nervous system and promote natural healing. This stimulation triggers the release of endorphins, which are your body’s natural painkillers. It also enhances circulation, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues.

Research supports acupuncture’s effects on the brain and nervous system. Acupuncture regulates the body’s main stress response system called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This has an impact on chemicals involved in mood, stress, energy, and pain perception. 

Over time, acupuncture helps recalibrate the body’s stress response, reduce inflammation, and promote deeper relaxation, creating a powerful ripple effect for both physical and mental health.

Acupuncture for chronic pain relief

Chronic pain can interfere with sleep, energy levels, and overall quality of life. A review of close to 30 randomized controlled trials and clinical articles found that acupuncture can significantly reduce pain associated with conditions like arthritis, migraines, and sciatica, as well as back pain, and neck pain.

Additionally, acupuncture is effective for reducing chronic musculoskeletal pain from conditions such as fibromyalgia, according to the same review, published in the journal Current Rheumatology Reports in 2021. 

Many patients notice relief after just a few sessions, with improvements in flexibility, function, and daily comfort. 

At Health Advantage Physical Medicine, acupuncture is often part of an integrated pain management plan, working alongside physical therapy and other natural therapies to help you heal without relying heavily on medication.

Acupuncture for stress and emotional well-being

The mind and body are deeply connected, and stress can intensify pain or trigger physical symptoms like muscle tension, headaches, and fatigue. Acupuncture helps restore balance to the body’s energy flow and calms the nervous system.

It lowers cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, which promotes relaxation, clearer thinking, and better sleep. Patients often describe feeling lighter and more centered after treatment. These effects can build over time with consistent sessions.

Regular acupuncture can also improve emotional resilience, and help you better manage anxiety and daily stressors while supporting your long-term mental health.

A natural approach to managing pain and stress

Each person experiences stress and physical pain differently, and that’s why individualized care matters. Our providers take a whole-body approach that blends acupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and lifestyle guidance to promote overall well-being.

We focus on the underlying causes of discomfort, not just the symptoms, so that your results last. 

Getting relief with acupuncture

You don’t have to live with constant pain or tension. Acupuncture offers a safe, proven, and holistic way to heal your body and calm your mind.

Give us a call to schedule a consultation with Health Advantage Physical Medicine in Pasadena today. Let our team help you restore balance, reduce stress, and feel great again.