Wellness goal

Acupuncture for stress & anxiety

Many people find acupuncture calming, and for ongoing anxiety it may take the edge off, best used alongside your usual care.

How it can help

  • Many book a session simply to feel calmer and unwind.
  • For ongoing anxiety, use it alongside therapy or medication.
  • Best-studied for calming nerves before a procedure.

What the research shows

  • People with ongoing anxiety felt calmer with acupuncture than with medication or placebo needling, with fewer side effects.
  • It's best supported for easing nerves right before surgery.
  • For everyday stress, real and placebo needling helped about equally, so much of the benefit is the calm visit itself.
Acupuncture for Stress & anxiety: what the evidence says · KeepCare