Stress can build up in the body and wreak havoc on it. And, over time, it can be very dangerous for your mental and physical health, potentially leading to heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, gut issues, obesity, depression, anxiety, and more. Cutting back on the things that cause you stress is a good place to start. For those things you can’t control, it is important to find ways to find balance within the body. Holistic healing can help. 

Reflexology and acupuncture are two modalities that originate from traditional Chinese medicine. And they are very similar in how they help the body find healing. Yet, they are different. Each can bring you relief from stress and the toll it takes on the body – but which one is best? 

Let’s take a look. 

Acupuncture and Stress

Acupuncture can help relieve stress without introducing drugs or chemicals into the body. It is able to offer you relief from stressful symptoms, but it doesn’t stop there. The process includes very fine needles that are inserted delicately just under the skin in areas known as acupressure points and meridians. Don’t worry, you can barely feel them. The idea behind this is to help the flow of vital energy throughout the body and restore balance. 

Acupuncture sessions promote feelings of relaxation so you may think of them as a timeout from life. The room around you will be serene and you may even decide to take a snooze – which is perfectly normal. 

Reflexology and Stress

Like acupuncture, reflexology uses areas known as reflex points on the outside to connect with the body on the inside. Unlike acupuncture, there are no needles involved. Rather, it uses pressure points primarily on the hands and feet that the reflexologist will massage with their hands. Though, this is not to be confused with an actual massage. Only gentle pressure is used – in combination with healing energy – to help reduce stress and promote healing. 

The fact that it also provides relaxation benefits the stress levels, too. Most reflexology appointments take place in a quiet, tranquil room which means the reflexology session in itself can often lead to increased feelings of calm and relaxation. This, in turn, can lead to a reduction in stress. And the pressure points that it puts gentle pressure on also help the body to function better and minimize the effects of stress. The reflexologist may even give you tips that you can do yourself to help with stress between sessions. 

Which Works Best for Stress? 

Both modalities work for reducing stress and finding a sense of peace within the body. And both may even be used alongside one another. However, if you are looking for relief from stress, then you probably don’t have a lot of time to make appointments for both. 

Acupuncture is a tried and true method of stress relief as it can stimulate the central nervous system. An evaluation will be done so that the treatment can be tailored for your body and your needs. Prioritize yourself and reduce stress with a modality that you know will give you the healing your body needs. 

Find Stress Relief with Acupuncture Today

Ready to give acupuncture a try? Thumos Health Center can help. If you are dealing with too much stress or anxiety in your life, acupuncture is a great tool for helping you find peace again. 

To schedule an appointment, contact us today at (323) 372-5150.