Acupuncture For Mental Health

Understanding Mental Health Through TCM

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), emotional disharmony is often understood as an imbalance in the Heart, Liver, Spleen, or Kidney systems. When these systems become disrupted by stress, overthinking, fear, or exhaustion, Qi ceases to flow smoothly.

This stagnation may manifest as:

• anxiety

• depression

• restlessness

• irritability

• mood swings

• insomnia

• fatigue

• digestive changes

• a sense of being “stuck” or ungrounded

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Acupuncture restores balance by regulating the flow of Qi and calming the Shen — the TCM concept of the spirit or emotional center.

Common Conditions We Support

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Stress & tension

• Nervous system dysregulation

• Sleep disorders & insomnia

• Burnout or emotional exhaustion

• Mood fluctuations

• Physical symptoms of stress (jaw tension, headaches, palpitations, stomach discomfort, etc.)​

How Acupuncture Enhances Mental Health

Acupuncture supports emotional balance through multiple pathways:

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1. Regulates the Autonomic Nervous System

By activating the parasympathetic “rest-and-digest” state, acupuncture reduces hypervigilance and allows the body to shift out of stress mode.

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2. Reduces Stress Hormones

Cortisol gradually decreases while calming neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA increase.

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3. Improves Sleep

As the nervous system becomes more regulated, falling asleep — and staying asleep — becomes easier.

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4. Releases Physical Tension

Stress often settles into the body as tight shoulders, clenched jaw, headaches, or chest heaviness. Acupuncture helps these patterns unwind.

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5. Supports Emotional Resilience

By strengthening the Heart, Liver, and Kidney systems, acupuncture builds internal resources for handling stress and emotions.

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6. Creates Space for Stillness

A session can feel like a reset — a gentle pause that allows the mind to reorganize and the spirit to settle.

What To Expect During Treatment

Your session begins with a conversation about your emotional and physical symptoms, sleep patterns, lifestyle, and recent stressors.

Once you’re comfortably resting, thin needles are placed in points known for calming the mind, anchoring the spirit, and regulating the nervous system. Most patients feel warmth, a subtle heaviness, or a floating sensation. Many rest, meditate, or drift into sleep.

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Sessions may also include:

• auricular (ear) acupuncture

• body points along the Heart or Pericardium meridians

• gentle cupping or gua sha

• moxibustion

• breath or lifestyle guidance

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Patients typically leave sessions feeling lighter, clearer, and more grounded.

Treatment Frequency & Timeline

• Anxiety & stress: weekly for 6–8 weeks

• Depression: weekly or biweekly

• Insomnia: 1–2x weekly until sleep stabilizes

• Maintenance: every 2–4 weeks for ongoing regulation

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Emotional healing unfolds gradually; consistency builds resilience and balance.

Why Choose Three Essentials For Emotional Wellness

At Three Essentials, emotional health is approached with attentiveness, compassion, and respect. Dr. Guan understands that anxiety, stress, and emotional strain often have both physical and energetic roots — and that true healing requires acknowledging both.

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Your treatment plan is personalized, trauma-sensitive, and based on classical TCM diagnosis. The clinic environment is serene, warm, and supportive, allowing your nervous system to settle deeply. Many patients describe their treatments as the most peaceful moments of their week.

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You are not rushed here. You are fully seen, heard, and supported.

Begin Your Healing Journey Here

Acupuncture offers a gentle yet powerful way to calm the mind, regulate the nervous system, and restore inner harmony.

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Schedule a session or book a free 15-minute discovery call to begin your healing.