Acupuncture for anxiety and stress
Calm, one-on-one care for a nervous system that won't switch off. I use acupuncture and electroacupuncture to help your body settle, so you can sleep, think, and cope better, alongside the care you already have.
Jason Rinker, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M. · Practicing since 1999 · Columbia, PA
When your body won't stand down
Stress doesn't stay in your head. It shows up as a tight chest, a racing heart, a clenched jaw, a stomach in knots, and nights spent staring at the ceiling.
Many people come to me because they want something that works on the body side of anxiety, alongside therapy or medication, or because stress is making their pain or headaches worse.
- Ongoing worry or generalized anxiety
- Stress from work, caregiving, or life changes
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Tension in the neck, shoulders, and jaw
- Nervousness before surgery or medical procedures
- Stress that makes pain or headaches worse
Why I treat stress as a nervous system problem
When you're under pressure for a long time, your nervous system can get stuck on alert. Your breathing stays shallow, your muscles stay braced, and sleep gets lighter. That keeps the cycle going.
My work focuses on the body side of that cycle. A quiet room, slow pacing, and carefully chosen points give your system a chance to settle, and time on the table becomes a rare chance to fully let go.
- Quiet and private
- Every visit is one-on-one with me, in a calm room, never a busy shared space.
- Gentle by design
- I use fewer needles and a lighter touch when you're anxious, and we go at your pace.
If this sounds like you, let's take a look.
Book online, or call or text me with a question first.
How I approach anxiety and stress
I start by listening. We talk about what you're carrying, how it shows up in your body, and what you've already tried.
Treatment combines acupuncture at calming points, often with gentle electroacupuncture, and hands-on work for tension in the neck, shoulders, and jaw.
- What you're carrying
- What's been happening in your life, when things got harder, and what helps you cope.
- How it shows up in your body
- Heart racing, chest tightness, stomach upset, headaches, or muscle tension.
- Sleep
- How long it takes you to fall asleep, how often you wake, and how rested you feel.
- Your other care
- Your therapist, doctor, and any medications, so my care fits with theirs. I never change your medications.
Your first appointment
If you're nervous about needles, tell me. We can start slowly, with only a few, and you can stop at any time.
We talk first
We sit down and go through what's bothering you, when it started, what makes it better or worse, and what you've already tried.
I look at how you move
I check your movement, where it's tender, and how your nerves and muscles respond, so treatment matches what's actually going on.
Treatment and a plan
Then I treat, often with electroacupuncture. Before you leave, I'll tell you what I found and suggest how often to come in.
Planning your care
Calming an overworked nervous system takes a steady run of visits, then less often as you feel steadier.
- A steady start
- Weekly visits at first help us see how you respond and build on each session.
- Tracking change
- We check sleep, tension, and how you're coping from visit to visit, not just how you feel on the day.
- Spacing out
- As things settle, we space visits out. Some people keep a regular visit for stressful seasons.
- Alongside your doctor or therapist
- Acupuncture is not a replacement for mental health care. I work alongside it.
What the research shows about acupuncture for anxiety
Here is what published studies have found, in plain language. The sources are listed below if you'd like to read them.
Generalized anxiety
- A review of 20 randomized trials with more than 1,800 people with generalized anxiety disorder found acupuncture reduced anxiety symptoms more than the comparison treatments.
- The same review found acupuncture was well tolerated, with mostly minor side effects such as needle soreness or small bruises.
Before surgery
- A review of 12 trials with 916 patients found people who had acupuncture before surgery reported lower anxiety than people who had a sham treatment.
Sleep
- In a 2022 trial of 270 people with insomnia and depression, electroacupuncture added to standard care improved sleep quality more than sham acupuncture or standard care alone, and the benefit lasted through 32 weeks.
Studies vary in size and quality, and everyone responds differently. I'll always tell you honestly what I think acupuncture can do for you.
Sources
- Yang XY et al. Effectiveness of acupuncture on anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Ann Gen Psychiatry, 2021.
- Tong QY et al. Can acupuncture therapy reduce preoperative anxiety? A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Integr Med, 2021.
- Yin X et al. Effect of electroacupuncture on insomnia in patients with depression: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open, 2022.
Care from Jason Rinker
I'm Jason Rinker. I'm a licensed acupuncturist and a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and I've practiced since 1999. Much of my work is orthopedic and neurological care: pain, injuries, and nerve problems.
Every visit is with me from start to finish. I explain what I'm doing and why, and I adjust the plan as you change.
We treat the nervous system, not just symptoms. The goal is to help you sleep better, feel steadier, and carry less tension day to day.
- L.Ac., Licensed Acupuncturist
- Dipl. O.M., Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
- Practicing since 1999
- Private practice in Columbia, PA
Questions people ask me
Let's help your body settle
Book your first visit online, or call or text me if you'd like to ask a question first.