Acupuncture for Anxiety, Depression, Grief, and Trauma: A Gentle, Holistic Path to Emotional Wellbein

Acupuncture for Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Grief, and Trauma: A Gentle, Holistic Path to Emotional Wellbeing

a tumultuous ocean scene that describes a stressful emotional state

A compassionate, body-based approach to emotional healing

In today’s fast-paced and emotionally demanding world, many people find themselves living in a near-constant state of stress, anxiety, or emotional exhaustion. Experiences such as grief, trauma, or prolonged overwhelm can leave you feeling disconnected—from your body, your breath, and even from yourself. If you are seeking a gentle, holistic way to support your emotional wellbeing, acupuncture offers a deeply nurturing and time-honoured approach.

Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture recognises that emotional health is not separate from physical health. Instead, emotions are understood as natural, meaningful experiences that affect the flow of energy, blood, and vitality throughout the body. When these experiences become overwhelming or unresolved, they can manifest as anxiety, depression, fatigue, tension, insomnia, or a persistent sense of unease.

This article explores how acupuncture supports stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma—by calming the nervous system, restoring balance, and gently guiding the body back toward safety and wholeness.

How Acupuncture Works: A Mind–Body Perspective

In Chinese medicine, the body is viewed as an interconnected system where emotions, organs, and energetic pathways (meridians) continuously influence one another. Emotional challenges are not seen as pathologies to suppress, but as signals that the system is asking for support.

Acupuncture works by regulating the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood, supporting organ systems, and harmonising the nervous system. From a modern biomedical perspective, acupuncture is understood to support:

  • Calm the autonomic nervous system, shifting the body from “fight-or-flight” into “rest-and-digest”

  • Influence neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins

  • Support regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which governs stress hormone response

This makes acupuncture a valuable somatic therapy, working with the body to support emotional regulation and resilience.

Acupuncture for Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety often arise when the nervous system remains in a prolonged state of alert. You may notice racing thoughts, tight shoulders or jaw, shallow breathing, digestive discomfort, or difficulty sleeping.

In TCM, stress and anxiety are commonly associated with Liver Qi stagnation—a pattern in which the smooth flow of energy becomes constrained by emotional pressure. Over time, this stagnation can affect the Heart and Spleen, leading to restlessness, worry, and fatigue.

Acupuncture helps by:

  • Soothing Liver Qi and encouraging emotional flow

  • Calming the Heart and settling the mind (Shen)

  • Releasing physical tension held in the body

  • Supporting deeper, more restorative sleep

Many clients report feeling more relaxed, grounded, or at ease following treatment, although individual responses vary.

Acupuncture for Depression

Depression can look and feel different for each person. It may present as low mood, heaviness, emotional numbness, exhaustion, or a sense of disconnection from life.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, depression often involves a combination of:

  • Liver Qi stagnation (feeling stuck or emotionally constrained)

  • Spleen Qi deficiency (fatigue, rumination, low motivation)

  • Heart Blood or Yin deficiency (sadness, insomnia, lack of joy)

Acupuncture may support these patterns by:

  • Restoring circulation of Qi and Blood

  • Nourishing depleted systems

  • Supporting emotional vitality and mental clarity

  • Improving sleep, digestion, and energy levels

Acupuncture can be used safely alongside counselling, psychotherapy, or medical treatment, offering a body-based layer of support that helps emotions shift not just cognitively, but somatically.

Acupuncture and Grief: Supporting the Process of Letting Go

Grief is a profound and deeply human response to loss. While it has its own natural rhythm, grief can sometimes linger in the body, presenting as chest tightness, breath restriction, frequent illness, or a persistent sense of sadness.

In Chinese medicine, grief is closely connected to the Lung system, which governs breathing, immunity, boundaries, and the ability to let go. When grief is held for too long or suppressed, Lung Qi can become weakened or constrained.

Acupuncture may support people experiencing grief by:

  • Opening the chest and supporting fuller, easier breathing

  • Strengthening Lung Qi and Heart connection

  • Creating space for emotions to move gently and safely

  • Supporting the body during periods of emotional vulnerability

Rather than rushing healing, acupuncture honours grief as a process—supporting you as you slowly integrate loss and reconnect with life.

Acupuncture for Trauma and Nervous System Regulation

Trauma—whether from a single event or long-term emotional experiences—can leave the nervous system dysregulated. You may feel hypervigilant, emotionally reactive, disconnected, or chronically tense, even when you consciously know you are safe.

In TCM, trauma is often understood as shock affecting the Heart and Kidneys, disrupting the body’s sense of safety, grounding, and continuity.

Trauma-informed acupuncture aims to support the body by:

  • Gently regulating the nervous system

  • Supporting the Kidney system, which governs fear, resilience, and deep reserves

  • Calming the Heart and anchoring the Shen

  • Helping the body relearn safety at a felt, embodied level

Many practitioners use gentle techniques and may include auricular (ear) acupuncture, which has been widely used in trauma recovery and disaster relief due to its calming and grounding effects.

What a Treatment Feels Like

Acupuncture sessions are calm, quiet, and deeply supportive. Treatments are always tailored to you and may include:

  • A thorough intake covering physical symptoms, emotional patterns, sleep, digestion, and life stressors

  • The insertion of very fine, sterile needles at carefully selected points

  • Time to rest deeply while your nervous system settles

Many clients report experiences such as relaxation, emotional release, or increased clarity during or after treatment, though responses vary.

A Gentle Complement to Other Therapies

Acupuncture does not replace psychological or medical care when these are needed. Instead, it works alongside them—supporting the body so that emotional work can be integrated more gently and effectively.

By supporting the body during periods of stress, grief, and trauma, acupuncture may assist individuals to integrate emotional experiences more gently.

Begin Your Healing Journey

If you are feeling overwhelmed, emotionally depleted, or stuck in patterns of stress, anxiety, grief, or trauma, you do not have to navigate this alone. Acupuncture offers a compassionate, grounded space to reconnect with your body and support your emotional wellbeing.

If you would like to explore whether acupuncture is right for you, I invite you to book a consultation or reach out with any questions. Together, we can create a gentle, individualised approach to support your healing.


Book Online or contact me here to begin your journey back to balance and ease.

A gentle note

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are complementary therapies that support overall health and wellbeing. They are not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you have a mental health condition, are experiencing significant psychological distress, or have concerns about your safety or wellbeing, it is important to seek support from a qualified medical or mental health professional. Acupuncture can be used alongside conventional care as part of an integrative approach to healing.

If you are currently under the care of a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other healthcare provider, acupuncture may be a supportive addition to your existing treatment plan.

What to Expect From Your First Acupuncture Session

Starting something new can feel exciting and a little nerve-wracking - especially when it involves your health. When you book your first acupuncture session with me, Dr. Hien Tran, at Alchemy Healing Arts in Abbotsford, Melbourne, Australia, my priority is to create a space that feels grounded, safe, and genuinely personalised. Nothing is rushed, and you’re never treated as just a set of symptoms.

Here’s what you can expect from the moment you arrive, through to aftercare and ongoing treatment planning.

A warm, unhurried, and thorough consultation

Your first appointment begins with a comprehensive consultation, not a quick checklist or a one-size-fits-all intake form (although to speed up the consultation process, I can send you an intake questionnaire and informed consent form in advance). We have a simple conversation and explore:

  • Your main health concerns and goals

  • How long symptoms have been present and what makes them better or worse

  • Stress levels, sleep quality, digestion, energy, and mood

  • Menstrual health, hormonal patterns, or fertility goals (if relevant)

  • Past injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions

  • Current medications, supplements, and previous treatments

This conversation is central to how acupuncture works. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), health is viewed holistically - meaning physical symptoms, emotional wellbeing, lifestyle, and environment are all interconnected. Rather than isolating one issue, we look at patterns across your whole system.

If you’d like a mainstream medical perspective on how acupuncture fits into healthcare, Healthdirect Australia provides a helpful overview:
👉 https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/acupuncture

Detailed diagnostic observation (beyond what you’d expect)

In addition to listening carefully, I’ll gather information using traditional diagnostic methods that help guide point selection and treatment strategy. This may include:

  • Pulse assessment, using several positions on each wrist with varying pressure

  • Tongue observation, noting colour, shape, coating, and moisture

  • Palpation of specific areas to identify tension, tenderness, or energetic stagnation

TCM Tongue Diagnosis Map

These methods may seem subtle, but they provide valuable insight into how your nervous system, digestion, circulation, and stress response are functioning beneath the surface. They allow treatment to address both symptoms and underlying imbalances, not just short-term relief.

Clear explanation and collaborative treatment planning

Before any needles are placed, I’ll explain:

  • What I’ve observed

  • How acupuncture may help your specific concerns

  • Which areas of the body we’ll be working with

  • How many sessions are typically recommended for your condition

This is a collaborative process. You’re always welcome to ask questions, express preferences, or let me know if you’re nervous or sensitive. My role is not just to treat, but to ensure you feel informed and supported throughout.

Gentle needle placement (what it actually feels like)

Once you’re comfortable, needle placement begins. During this time:

  • You remain fully clothed (loose, comfortable clothing is ideal)

  • Sterile, single-use needles are used at all times

  • Sensations may include a dull ache, warmth, heaviness, or gentle tingling

  • Many people feel very little at all

Needles usually remain in place for 20–30 minutes, allowing your body time to respond. According to Australian acupuncture clinics and professional guidelines, this resting period is where many of the therapeutic effects occur as the nervous system shifts into a calmer state.

For more on safety and professional standards, you can refer to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA):
👉 https://www.ahpra.gov.au

Deep rest, nervous system regulation, and integration

This is often the most loved part of the session. Once the needles are in, the room is quiet, warm, and restful. Many people:

  • Drift into a light sleep

  • Experience deep relaxation or meditative states

  • Notice their breathing slow and muscles soften

This state supports the body’s rest-and-digest response, which plays a key role in pain reduction, digestion, hormonal balance, immune function, and emotional regulation. Even people who feel “wired but tired” often leave surprised by how calm they feel.

Aftercare and what you might feel afterward

When the needles are removed, it’s common to feel:

  • Calm, grounded, or lighter

  • Slightly tired or deeply relaxed

  • Clear-headed or emotionally settled

Occasionally, people notice subtle changes over the following 24–48 hours, such as improved sleep, shifts in pain, or emotional release. I’ll offer tailored aftercare advice, which may include:

  • Hydration and gentle movement

  • Rest or reduced stimulation for the evening

  • Simple lifestyle or dietary suggestions to support your treatment

Ongoing care and realistic expectations

Some people notice improvements after their first session, while others experience gradual changes over a few treatments. This depends on factors such as how long the condition has been present, stress levels, and overall health.

If ongoing treatment is recommended, we’ll discuss a plan that fits realistically into your life - with clear goals and regular check-ins.

Private health insurance rebates (Australia-specific)

If you have Australian private health insurance, you may be eligible for rebates on acupuncture treatments, depending on your level of extras cover. Most major health funds offer rebates when treatment is provided by a registered acupuncturist.

I can provide item numbers and receipts for easy claiming, usually through providing an invoice to your health fund. If you’re unsure about your coverage, it’s worth checking directly with your insurer to confirm your rebate amount.

Common reasons people book acupuncture

People seek acupuncture for many reasons, including:

  • Acute or chronic pain (neck, back, headaches, migraines)

  • Stress, anxiety, and emotional regulation

  • Digestive issues and gut health support

  • Women’s health, menstrual concerns, and fertility support or IVF support

  • Cosmetic Acupuncture / Facial Rejuvenation (improving skin tone)

  • Fatigue, burnout, and sleep disturbances

  • Nervous system regulation and general wellbeing

You don’t need a GP referral to book an appointment, though collaborative care with your GP or specialist is always welcomed when appropriate.

If you’re feeling curious but unsure, know that your first session is about listening, understanding, and creating a foundation for care. You don’t need to know exactly what to ask for - that’s part of my role in supporting you.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

One of the most common questions I’m asked at by new clients at Alchemy Healing Arts (my in-person acupuncture clinic in Abbotsford, Melbourne Australia) is, “Does acupuncture hurt?” Whether you’re curious about starting acupuncture for pain, stress, or fertility support, this is a completely reasonable concern — and understanding what to expect can make your first experience much more comfortable.

a person receiving an acupuncture treatment

How acupuncture actually feels

Acupuncture involves inserting very thin, sterile needles through your skin into specific points on your body. These needles are much finer than those used for injections or blood tests, and most people barely notice them going in. Some people feel a brief sensation — a light pinch, warmth, heaviness, tingling, or a slight ache — but this typically fades quickly.

Many patients describe sensations such as:

  • A gentle dull ache
  • A feeling of warmth or spreading energy
  • A sense of deep relaxation or calm
  • Sleepiness, especially during longer retention times

These experiences are normal and generally considered part of the therapeutic process, not discomfort.

What sensations are not pain

One key distinction I like to make with new patients is that pressure and sensation are not the same as pain. When a needle stimulates connective tissue or nerves, the body can react with a sensation that might feel unusual — but it is usually pleasant or neutral, not painful.

If you feel pain — sharp or intense discomfort — that’s a cue for me to adjust placement, depth, or point selection.

Research insights

According to medical institutions like the Cleveland Clinic, acupuncture is used not only for pain management but also for overall wellness, including stress reduction and relaxation. The insertion of thin needles at specific points encourages the release of neurochemicals such as associated with relaxation and pain modulation.

In other words, acupuncture works with the nervous system — it doesn’t injure it.

The experience at Alchemy Healing Arts

When you arrive for your first session at my clinic:

  • I take time to explain the process
  • You control the pace (you can ask for adjustments at any time)
  • We communicate throughout the session
  • We can adjust or stop the treatment at any time you feel uncomfortable

Many patients tell me afterwards:

> “That wasn’t painful at all — it was actually calming.”

In my twenty years of experience treating hundreds of clients, few people have had a negative reaction to their first acupucture session. With clear communication and understanding, we can make adjustments as necessary.

Final reassurance

Acupuncture isn’t about forcing needles into painful locations. Instead, it’s about precise, gentle stimulation that encourages your body’s natural balancing and healing mechanisms. While everyone’s experience is unique, serious discomfort is not a typical part of acupuncture when safely delivered by a trained practitioner.