Acupuncture for Mental Health
A Holistic Approach to Feeling Better
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a reminder that caring for your emotional well-being is just as important as your physical health. At Forest Park Wellness in Portland, we believe in a holistic approach to mental health that honors the mind, body, and spirit.
Acupuncture has been used for centuries to regulate the nervous system, ease anxiety, and lift the weight of emotional stress. By stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture can help balance hormones, improve sleep, and promote a deep sense of calm—without the side effects often associated with medication.
Gentle Touchpoints for Stress Relief
Two of our favorite acupuncture points for emotional balance include:
- Yin Tang (Hall of Impression) – Located between the eyebrows, this point is known for quieting the mind and reducing worry.
- Shen Men (Spirit Gate) – Found on the wrist, this point supports emotional resilience and heart-centered peace.
You can support your mental well-being at home with simple practices: intentional breathing, morning walks in nature, and a few minutes of stillness each day can help anchor you in calm.
Spring is also an ideal time to nourish your Liver—an organ associated with emotional flow in Chinese medicine. Light, fresh foods like leafy greens, sprouts, and mild sour flavors can help support this seasonal transition. Avoid greasy or overly spicy dishes, cook with gentle methods like steaming or sautéing, and enjoy herbal teas like dandelion or peppermint for a natural reset.
What the Research Shows
While acupuncture has gained recognition as an effective treatment for physical pain, research is also affirming what many patients already know: it supports mental health, too.
- A 2021 study in the Annals of General Psychiatry found that acupuncture had measurable benefits in reducing anxiety symptoms compared to control groups.
- In 2020, researchers found that acupuncture showed better clinical outcomes for patients experiencing both chronic pain and depression compared to standard medication alone.
- A 2019 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine showed that acupuncture, when used alongside antidepressants, helped further reduce the severity of depression.
These studies suggest that acupuncture can be an excellent complement to conventional care—and even a safe alternative for those seeking drug-free relief.
A Natural Way to Soothe Stress
Acupuncture activates the parasympathetic nervous system—your “rest and digest” state. This helps release tension, calm the mind, and create a space where healing can happen.
Sleeping More Deeply
If stress is disrupting your sleep, acupuncture can help regulate your circadian rhythm and reduce insomnia. Many patients report sleeping better after just a few sessions.
Lifting the Mood, Gently
By encouraging the release of endorphins and regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, acupuncture can help elevate mood and support emotional balance.
Releasing Pain, Reclaiming Peace
Physical pain and emotional distress are often connected. Treating both together—within the same session—is one of acupuncture’s greatest strengths. You don’t have to choose between feeling better physically or emotionally. You can experience both.
Whole-Body Harmony
Acupuncture treatments are customized to each patient, addressing both symptoms and root causes. Whether you’re seeking relief from anxiety, depression, chronic pain—or simply want to feel more like yourself—this gentle approach helps bring the entire system back into balance.
If you’re curious whether acupuncture could support your mental health journey, we’d love to hear from you. You can book an appointment through our website, click on the “Schedule Now” button, or call (503) 272-6646.
Because your mental health matters.
And in a world that moves fast and asks so much of us, it’s okay to choose rest, relief, and balance. Acupuncture offers a quiet space to reconnect with yourself—body, mind, and spirit.
