Cortisol Reduction:
Acupuncture has been found to help promote relaxation and reduce stress, which can help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and promote healing. Studies have shown that acupuncture can help to reduce the production of stress hormones such as cortisol, which can have negative effects on the body when produced in excess (Eshkevari, 2013). By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, acupuncture can help to support the body’s natural healing mechanisms and promote overall health.
In the above cortisol study, rats were exposed to cold stress to induce a physiological stress response (Eshkevari, 2013l). The researchers found that acupuncture treatment reduced the rats’ levels of cortisol, a hormone that is produced in response to stress. While this study was conducted in rats, it provides evidence for the potential anti-stress effects of acupuncture in humans.
Eshkevari, L., Permaul, E., & Mulroney, S. E. (2013). Acupuncture blocks cold stress-induced increases in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in the rat. Journal of Endocrinology, 217(1), 95-104. doi: 10.1530/JOE-12-040
Emotional Trauma & PTSD:
TCM has long recognized the role of emotional and energetic imbalances in health and disease. According to TCM, emotional trauma can disrupt the body’s flow of energy, or Qi, and lead to physical and emotional imbalances.
Acupuncture is one modality within traditional Chinese medicine that can help to restore the body’s flow of energy and promote balance. Acupuncture can help to stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms and promote the release of endorphins, which can help to reduce pain and promote relaxation. Some people have reported feeling a release of emotional energy or feeling “unburdened” 
after acupuncture treatment, which may be related to the balancing of the body’s energy.
While there is limited scientific evidence to support the idea that acupuncture can eliminate the energetic memory of traumatic events, some studies have suggested that acupuncture may help to reduce the symptoms of trauma-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Huang, 2015). In this meta-analysis, the authors analyzed data from nine randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of acupuncture on PTSD. The results showed that acupuncture was associated with a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms compared to control groups that received either no treatment or conventional treatments. The authors concluded that acupuncture could be considered as a complementary therapy for the treatment of PTSD.
Huang, Y., Zhao, N., & Tang, C. (2015). Meta-analysis of acupuncture effects on PTSD. Journal of traumatic stress, 28(4), 214-222. doi: 10.1002/jts.22023
General Healing:
Acupuncture has been shown to support the parasympathetic nervous system, which can in turn support physical healing. Within this state, our heart rate slows down, our breath is calm, our digestion is fluid, and hormones are balanced. All healing takes place within the parasympathetic state; in this state of systemic relaxation our body regulates, restores, detoxifies, regenerates.
Acupuncture has been found to be effective in treating a range of physical health conditions, including chronic pain, digestive issues, and respiratory problems.
Some Studies regarding the Parasympathetic activation:
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Kim, S. Y., Park, S. U., & Joe, I. H. (2011). The effect of acupuncture on heart rate variability: A systematic review. Autonomic Neuroscience, 161(1-2), 91-101. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2011.02.006
This systematic review analyzed 24 randomized controlled trials and found that acupuncture can increase heart rate variability, an indicator of parasympathetic nervous system activity. The authors concluded that acupuncture can help to balance the autonomic nervous system and promote relaxation.
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Liang, F., Koya, D., & Chung, S. (2011). The effect of acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, 1-9. doi: 10.1093/ecam/nep238
In this review article, the authors discuss various studies that have investigated the effects of acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system, including the parasympathetic nervous system. The authors conclude that acupuncture can help to balance the autonomic nervous system, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
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Takahashi, T. (2011). Mechanism of acupuncture on neuromodulation in the gut—a review. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, 14(1), 8-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1403.2010.00343.x
This review article discusses the mechanisms by which acupuncture can modulate the autonomic nervous system, including the parasympathetic nervous system. The author concludes that acupuncture can help to regulate the autonomic nervous system and improve various gastrointestinal functions.
Anxiety, Depression & Chronic Pain:
Acupuncture has been shown to impact the vagus nerve, which is an important component of the parasympathetic nervous system that regulates the body’s rest and digest response. The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the body, extending from the brainstem to the abdomen, and it plays a key role in many bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate.
Vagus nerve: diagram of human body’s longest cranial nerve!
Research has shown that acupuncture can stimulate the vagus nerve and increase vagal tone, which is the measure of the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. This effect has been observed in studies that have used heart rate variability as a measure of vagal tone. In one study, for example, acupuncture was found to increase vagal activity and reduce sympathetic activity, which is associated with the body’s stress response.
The increase in vagal tone may be a key mechanism by which acupuncture supports health and healing. A higher vagal tone has been associated with improved emotional regulation, decreased inflammation, and better overall health outcomes. Acupuncture’s ability to improve vagal tone may contribute to its potential benefits for conditions such as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, among others.
Kim, S. Y., Kim, M. S., Lee, H. Y., & Lee, H. (2017). Autonomic nervous system responses to acupuncture in carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 23(4), 290-297. doi: 10.1089/acm.2016.0229
Laborde, S., Mosley, E., & Thayer, J. F. (2017). Heart rate variability and cardiac vagal tone in psychophysiological research–recommendations for experiment planning, data analysis, and data reporting. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 213. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00213
Overall, the impact of acupuncture on vagal tone and the parasympathetic nervous system provides a potential explanation for the wide-ranging benefits that have been observed in clinical studies, and in my own practice! It’s an amazing healing tool that should not be overlooked!
To learn more about how I practice acupuncture, see here.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Negin
