5 Reasons Why Acupuncture is Good for Reducing Workplace Stress

Workplace stress is a huge side effect of modern living. Not only does everything seem more rushed, but constant exposure to screens and other digital devices can leave you suffering from a range of ailments that include everything from chronic headaches to eye strain.

To find a more holistic treatment for these conditions, many locals are resorting to regular sessions of the acupuncture Brighton clinics are offering. Are you keen on exploring the advantages associated with acupuncture?

What is Acupuncture?

Many people have a vague idea of what acupuncture is but don’t know how it’s applied and why it works. Essentially, acupuncture forms part of the holistic treatments that make up the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) umbrella.

This technique involves inserting long, thin needles into specific pressure points on the body. The aim is to stimulate and balance the general flow of energy (Qi), which then promotes healing. Since acupuncture encompasses the belief that healing happens when energy is balanced, it’s essential to maintain clear pathways to one’s Qi.

To clear your Qi pathways, acupuncture needles are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the spinal cord, muscles, and brain. It’s these biochemical changes that are believed to stimulate the body’s natural healing process.

Excellent Treatment for All Types of Work-Related Ailments

The term workplace stress encompasses physical and mental ailments that you could develop as a result of doing your job. This means that it could refer to headaches from too much screen exposure or could include back pain from lifting heavy items. We’ve compiled a list of the top ways that acupuncture can reduce the effects of workplace stress.

1.     Reduces Neck, Back, and Joint Pain

Many job functions can lead to neck tension or back and joint pain. Whether you’re stocking shelves, digging trenches, or working in an office, chances are you’ve had your fair share of stiff muscles.

Regular acupuncture sessions will help to alleviate these ailments by eliminating swelling and inflammation.  Reducing any inflammation in your body will also improve your overall immunity, which in turn also improves issues such as digestive health and builds resistance to seasonal ailments such as the flu. This will drastically reduce your need for synthetic medications.

2.      Alleviates Repetitive Strain Injuries

If you’re doing the same task every day, it’s not uncommon to develop repetitive stress injuries, or RSI. A typical example of this is the effect continuous typing has on your wrist or hand muscles.

The reason for these types of injuries has to do with a reduction in blood circulation when your hands lie at a specific angle for too long. This often results in carpal tunnel syndrome. People with RSI  have reported significant results after only a few acupuncture sessions. In many instances, it reduces the need for corrective surgery because there’s an increase in blood circulation to all the necessary muscles.

3.     Instant Relief from Headaches

Tension, cluster, and stress headaches are common symptoms of workplace stress. These types of headaches are typically caused by anxiety or excessive exposure to blue light from digital devices. In some instances, headaches can also stem from a pinched nerve.

If left untreated, headaches can morph into more serious migraines. These can cause nausea, light sensitivity, and result in excessive days off work. Acupuncture has proven to be an effective way to deal with the anxiety and pinched nerves that make headaches unbearable.

Your acupuncturist will also teach you relaxation techniques that you can do between sessions. This will prevent you from having to deal with severe headaches before or after your sessions. In some instances, you may even learn techniques that help you avoid them altogether!

4.     Improving mental Clarity and increasing energy

Acupuncture is also excellent for helping you to relax. This, in turn, helps improve mental clarity and also gives your energy a much-needed boost. You’ll not only be feeling better but will also find yourself being more creative. It’s an excellent way to boost your productivity when you’re feeling less industrious than usual.

5.     Will Help to Reduce the Sick Days You Take

Excessive workplace stress can leave you feeling run down and in some severe cases, can lead to burnout. This affects your overall immunity and can see you taking more sick days. Avoid this by using quality acupuncture to help you relax, which will help you feel less fatigued.

Regular acupuncture sessions helps calm your nervous system and also reduce sympathetic nervous system activity. This minimises exhaustion and can aid better sleeping patterns. Being able to sleep better also goes a long way towards reducing anxiety, stress, and burnout symptoms.

Final Thought

A huge advantage of acupuncture is that it can provide relief for a wide range of ailments. Whether you’re suffering from stress, headaches, or a stiff neck, the good news is that a few acupuncture treatments may be just what you need. Speak to your local acupuncturist about making this treatment part of your wellness routine. You’ll be glad you did!