Navigating Stress & Uncertainty During Political Turmoil
As an acupuncturist, I’ve seen how political unrest and uncertainty can deeply affect our nervous systems. When the world feels unpredictable—whether due to elections, social injustice, or global events—many of my patients report anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, and muscle tension. These are all signs of an overstimulated sympathetic nervous system (SNS), often referred to as the "fight-or-flight" response.
Acupuncture Calms the Nervous System
Acupuncture has been shown to regulate the autonomic nervous system by activating the parasympathetic branch—the part responsible for rest, digestion, and recovery. Functional MRI studies show that needling certain points like HT7 and PC6 results in decreased activity in the limbic system and improved parasympathetic tone (Huang et al., 2012).
Other research has demonstrated significant reductions in heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels following acupuncture treatments (Kim et al., 2009; Eshkevari et al., 2013). These are objective signs that the body is moving from “fight-or-flight” to “rest-and-digest.”
Supporting Brain–Body Resilience
Acupuncture impacts areas of the brain involved in emotional regulation, including the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. A randomized controlled trial found that electroacupuncture increased heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of parasympathetic activity and stress resilience (Chae et al., 2018).
HRV has become one of the most studied markers of how well the nervous system handles stress. An increase in HRV after acupuncture indicates enhanced adaptability and nervous system recovery.
Releasing Neurochemicals for Calm & Clarity
Acupuncture promotes the release of key neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and endogenous opioids (Han, 2004). These brain chemicals help stabilize mood, promote relaxation, and reduce the perception of pain—supporting both emotional and physical well-being.
Taming the HPA Axis & Cortisol
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is your body’s stress response system. When overstimulated, it can lead to anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, and weakened immunity. Animal and human studies show that acupuncture helps modulate the HPA axis, normalizing cortisol levels and improving resilience to chronic stress (Eshkevari et al., 2013; Kim et al., 2009).
Reducing Inflammation & Physical Tension
Chronic stress can fuel inflammation in the body. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-6, particularly in conditions associated with chronic stress and pain (Zijlstra et al., 2003; Kavoussi & Ross, 2007). Additionally, acupuncture helps relax tight muscles and improve circulation, which can ease headaches, jaw tension, and neck pain—common in times of emotional strain.
DIY Coping Beyond the Needles
Here are a few other supportive practices I often recommend alongside acupuncture:
Deep breathing or meditation to reinforce parasympathetic activation (Luo et al., 2014)
Reducing media consumption to limit nervous system overload
Gentle movement like Tai Chi or restorative yoga
Spending time with safe, supportive people to promote oxytocin and co-regulation
Stress doesn’t have to control your life. While we can’t eliminate political or global unrest, we can take steps to buffer its impact. Acupuncture offers a time-tested, evidence-informed approach to restoring balance, building resilience, and supporting emotional health.
If you’ve been feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or tense, acupuncture may offer the nervous system reset you need. I’d be honored to help you find relief, grounding, and clarity—even in the midst of uncertainty.
References (APA Style)
Chae, Y., Park, H. J., Lee, H., Park, H. J., Lee, H., & Park, J. (2018). Acupuncture and heart rate variability: A systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7940120
Eshkevari, L., Permaul, E., & Mulroney, S. E. (2013). Acupuncture blocks cold stress–induced increases in the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis in the rat. Journal of Endocrinology, 217(1), 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1530/JOE-12-0404
Han, J. S. (2004). Acupuncture and endorphins. Neuroscience Letters, 361(1–3), 258–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2003.12.019
Huang, W., Pach, D., Napadow, V., Park, K., Long, X., Neumann, J., Maeda, Y., Nierhaus, T., Liang, F., Witt, C. M., & others. (2012). Characterizing acupuncture stimuli using brain imaging with fMRI–a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. PloS one, 7(4), e32960. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0032960
Kavoussi, B., & Ross, B. E. (2007). The neuroimmune basis of anti-inflammatory acupuncture. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 6(3), 251–257. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735407305892
Kim, D. H., Cho, S. H., Kim, D. W., & Lee, S. H. (2009). Acupuncture reduces symptoms in chronic stress-related depression: A randomized, controlled trial. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 15(4), 14–22.
Luo, H., et al. (2014). Tai Chi and meditation effects on stress: A systematic review. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 20(5), 314–320. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2013.0185
Zijlstra, F. J., van den Berg-de Lange, I., Huygen, F. J., & Klein, J. (2003). Anti-inflammatory actions of acupuncture. Mediators of Inflammation, 12(2), 59–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/0962935031000126237