Acupuncture & Holistic Healthcare in Millcreek
Discover what an Acupuncture treatment is like at Retreatment Wellness in Salt Lake City
An Acupuncture treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your condition by Alessandra Young, a National Board Certified, Doctor of Acupuncture & East Asian Medicine.
She is a specialist in Pain, Anxiety, Women’s Health and Skin Conditions.
Patients are prescribed a customized treatment plan based upon the individual’s presentation and specific health goals.
Treatments include a minimum of 2 modalities:
Acupuncture
Dry Needling / Orthopedic Acupuncture
Cupping Therapy
Tui Na or Shiatsu Massage
Gua Sha (similar to Graston Method)
Electric -Stimulation Acupuncture
Moxibustion
Guided Meditation
Herbal Topicals & Plasters
Nutrition Guidance
Supplement recommendations
Herbal Formula Prescriptions
Treat the Root Cause of symptoms like pain, irregular cycles, fatigue, poor digestion, dizziness, numbness, shortness of breath, headaches and much more…
Conditions Treated by Acupuncture
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WOMEN'S HEALTH
Discomfort is not normal. You are meant to feel at ease in your body. Discover relief from painful periods, irregular cycles, hot flashes, low energy, mood swings and other symptoms related to common concerns of Women’s Health.
A standard series of treatments is weekly and over a period of 3-6 months . In Chinese medicine “blood level” conditions in women require a minimum of 3 cycles to re-balance.
Relief starts with the first treatment.
Treatment includes, as needed, Acupuncture, Electrical Acupuncture, Cupping, Meditation, Moxibustion, Herbal Formulas, Nutrition, Qi Gong, Low Level Laser, Tui Na, Gua Sha / Scraping and more.
There are no added charges. The goal is to get you feeling better as soon as possible. Affordable packages offered. HSA & FSA Accepted.
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CHRONIC & ACUTE PAIN
Acupuncture treats all types of pain & discomfort due to: recent and old injuries, inflammation, neurological disorders, organ disease, stress, emotions, and pain due to unknown causes.
Acupuncture promotes healing by triggering the body’s natural healing response; restoring functional fascia patterns & improving alignment from targeted muscle release; improving blood flow, fluid flow and nerve flow to muscles, organs, and the brain; and it is proven to increase cellular activity for healing down to your smallest organelle and mitochondria. It influences the “unseen” pathways of energy, which have been shown to correlate with the nervous system - and other systems too.
Dr Young’s treatments include Orthopedic & Classic Acupuncture, Electical Stimulation, Cupping & Scraping or Gua Sha. There are no added charges. The goal is to get you feeling better as soon as possible.
Don’t like needles? Cupping Only treatments are offered too.
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HEADACHES & SLEEP DISORDERS
Are you tired of reaching for over-the-counter pain relievers and sleep aids? Are you interested in restoring healthy patterns of sleep and saying good-bye to recurring headaches?
Traditional Chinese Medicine understands the root causes and types of headaches and sleeplessness. It offers more than symptom management, with strategies to restore whole health. This approach also helps to alleviate underlying issues such as anxiety, chronic pain, or digestive imbalances.
Most patients report improvement after the first treatment. If you have an Oura ring, it will confirm that Acupuncture triggers deeper, more restorative sleep, and improves measures of stress.
Studies show that Acupuncture improves blood flow, reduces stress hormones (like cortisol), improves digestion, and boosts melatonin production—your body’s natural sleep aid.
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STRESS, ANXIETY & ENERGY BALANCING
When is the last time you felt relaxed, safe and calm? You know that health and abundance flow from this state of being - so what are you waiting for? Rediscover a balanced energy flow with treatments to address the specific needs of your nervous system.
Acupuncture unblocks energetic pathways allowing for free and easy flow. It can reorganize and balance energy that has scattered from fear, sunken from worry and grief, risen too quickly from stress and addiction. It can “lighten the load” of the psychic wounds that you carry and release “stuck” emotions for transformational healing!
Sound Bath & Guided Meditation are offerings that help one to quiet a busy mind and become grounded in the ease of the present moment.
These treatments also promote longevity because reducing stress and inflammation may prevent disease.
Where there is ease, there can be no dis-ease.
Acupuncture Newbies…
A gentle, down-to-earth practitioner can mean the difference between high anxiety and deep relaxation. Thankfully, the needles are forgotten once you meet Alessandra. Friendly, knowledgable and skilled, Alessandra makes it her mission to identify and treat the root of each individual’s concerns, while keeping one relaxed and tranquil.
Good Energy, Great Reviews
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a time-honored therapy that involves the gentle insertion of ultra-fine needles at carefully selected points on your body. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has long been recognized for its ability to alleviate pain. It has also been used to enhance overall wellness, including stress relief and relaxation.
“Superior doctors prevent disease. Mediocre doctors treat the disease before it is evident. Inferior doctors treat the full-blown disease.”
- Huang di Nei Jing
According to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture works by harmonizing the flow of energy—known as qi / “chi” —that circulates through pathways called meridians in the body. It is now understood that Meridian pathways follow structures called fascia and nerves in Western medicine. It is understood that our fascia and nerves are bio-electric systems - Qi pathways. When the needles are strategically placed along these meridians, they help restore balance, allowing the body's energy to flow freely and naturally.
In Western medicine, from a bio-medical perspective, Acupuncture is seen as a way to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues. This stimulation is thought to trigger the body’s innate healing responses, including the release of natural painkillers, promoting pain relief and improving overall function.
Whether you're seeking pain relief or a boost to your well-being, acupuncture offers a holistic approach to restoring balance and vitality, helping you live a more healthful and peaceful life.
What is Cupping Therapy in Millcreek, UT?
An Acupuncture treatment for Pain, Anxiety, and Woman’s Health may include Cupping Therapy.
Cupping is a myofascial release technique that relaxes the muscles, calms the nervous system, and improves blood and fluid flow into tissues and organs.
It is also detoxifying - pulling out extracellular waste and porting them through the lymphatic system to be cleansed from the body.
Some techniques leave bruises. These bruises are not painful and should resolve within 5-10 days. The quality of the bruising can indicate aspects of the quality of your health.
If you do not want bruising, please let your practitioner know and you will be accommodated.
DON’T LIKE NEEDLES ?
Try a CUPPING ONLY TREATMENT. This 30 minute treatment provides excellent muscle recovery.
Acupuncture treats All types of Pain - Body / Mind / Spirit
East Asian Medicine (Acupuncture & Herbs) has been used to address pain for thousands of years: menstrual pain, back pain, neuropathic pain, TMJ pain. arthritis pain, knee pain, shoulder pain - all types of pain. There are many causes, so the first step in treatment is to diagnose the source of your pain through a comprehensive intake assessing all of your body systems. Once diagnosed, there are a number of modalities that can be used to provide relief and healing and none of them are physically addicting (though - you could like it so much that you get a little hooked).
Is Acupuncture a Somatic Healing Practice?
Yes! “Somatic Healing / Somatic Therapy” are terms to describe Mind/Body healing. It recognizes that emotional and psychological distress can manifest as physical sensations, tension, and patterns in the body, and that addressing these physical symptoms can facilitate emotional healing. Acupuncturists draw upon a complete and complex system of understanding the human body. Each energy channel corresponds to an organ, an emotion, an element, an archetype of interacting with the world, a season, a sound, a smell, and a fascia (sinew) channel.
In Acupuncture there are 5 branches of the medicine: Acupuncture, Meditative Practices, Nutrition, Movement Practices, and Herbal Medicine. Each branch is a part of the whole philosophy about the connections that exist between mind and body, heaven, man and earth, the balance between yin and yang energies and much more. It is complex - and holistic!
How does Acupuncture work?
Balancing Energy (Qi)
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pain and disease are often attributed to imbalances in the body’s Qi (energy) flow. The imbalance of Qi causes blood stagnation - blood does not flow and the tissues suffer. Blood contains iron and electrolytes for electrical conductivity - or Qi conductivity.
Acupuncture is believed to stimulate specific points on the body to restore the balance of Qi, encourage smooth blood flow, and release any blockages in the meridians (energy pathways). This balance is thought to help regulate all of the systems of the body - blood flow, gut and hormone balance, nerve conduction etc.
Blood Stagnation: In TCM, pain can result from blood stagnation. For menstural pain, Acupuncture points related to the liver and uterus are targeted to promote circulation and alleviate this stagnation. For pain related to muscles, acupuncture points relating to the “sinew channels” are prescribed in an approach called “orthopedic acupuncture.” For pain related to dysfunctions of organs, Acupuncture points related to the affected meridian systems are used.
Qi Deficiency: Acupuncture may also address Qi deficiency, which is believed to weaken the body’s ability to regulate or alleviate pain. Qi is a consideration of the energetic body - the energy in the cells and the energy in the meridians.
Endorphin Release
From a modern perspective, acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, leading to the release of endorphins (natural pain-relieving chemicals). These endorphins can reduce pain perception and provide a sense of well-being. The needle insertion at specific acupuncture points can trigger the release of these endorphins, providing pain relief for injuries and during menstruation.
It is likely the release of endorphins that causes the deep feeling of relaxation one enjoys after a treatment.
Improved Blood Flow
Acupuncture helps improve circulation by relaxing muscles and expanding blood vessels. Increased blood flow to the uterus and surrounding tissues can alleviate pain associated with cramps and spasms. Increased blood flow to muscles and surrounding tissues can alleviate pain associated with strains and injury. This is especially helpful for menstrual cramps, which occur due to uterine muscle contractions.
Regulating Hormones
Acupuncture is also used to help regulate the hormonal systems that govern the menstrual cycle. It may influence levels of prostaglandins, the hormone-like substances that cause the uterus to contract. Excessive prostaglandin production is linked to more intense menstrual cramps.
By balancing hormone levels, acupuncture can potentially reduce the intensity of menstrual cramps, improve fertility, improve mood disorders related to menstrual cycles like PMS, PMDD, and improve symptoms related to PCOS.
Stress Reduction
Acupuncture has a well-documented effect on reducing stress and anxiety by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (the "rest and digest" system). Stress can worsen menstrual pain by increasing muscle tension and affecting hormonal balance. By promoting relaxation, acupuncture may help lower stress hormones like cortisol, which can in turn reduce the severity of menstrual pain.
High cortisol is also linked to belly fat or fisceral fat, so Acupuncture can be highly beneficial for losing weight around the mid-section and reducing fat around organs, which is detrimental to organ function.
Uterine Relaxation
Acupuncture may help relieve uterine spasms by stimulating specific points that promote relaxation of the uterine muscles. This can reduce the intensity and frequency of menstrual cramps.
This is why Acupuncture can also be helpful for conditions like a hypertonic pelvic floor.
Modulation of Inflammatory Pathways
Acupuncture may influence inflammatory pathways that play a role in menstrual pain. Research has suggested that acupuncture can modulate levels of pro-inflammatory markers in the body, which can reduce the inflammation and pain associated with menstruation.
For this reason, acupuncture is helpful for the treatment of endometriosis, fibroids and the condition of dysmenorrhea (painful periods).
Frequently Asked Questions About Treatments & Products
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ACUPUNCTURE - includes cupping
New Patient - $130
Existing Patient - $100
Package of 5 - $475
Package of 10 - $900
ACUPUNCTURE + SOUND BATH
New Patient - $150
Existing Patient - $120
COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE FACIAL
New Patient - $145
Existing Patient - $125
Package of 5 - $575
Package of 10 - $1,100 bonus FREE NANO NEEDLING
MEDICAL MICRONEEDLING
Deluxe - $385
includes Medical Grade Microneedling, Celluma PRO LED Light, Fire Cupping, Acupuncture + Sound Bath , Custom Hyaluronic Acid based Serums targeting your skin’s needs, Medical Grade Healing Face Mask
Package of 3 - $950
Regular - $300
includes Fire Cupping, Custom Hyaluronic Acid based Serums targeting your skin’s needs
NANO NEEDLING
Add-On - $100
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Acupuncture is a safe and relaxing treatment that has been used for thousands of years to address Pain, Anxiety, Skin Diseases, Injury Recovery, Insomnia, Women’s Health, and overall Well-Being.
Fine needles are inserted into the patient according to an East Asian Medical diagnosis. The method of point location may include a number of methodological approaches including Orthopedic, TCM / Meridian, Master Tung,
The patient rests with the needles (and usually unmoving) for approximately 28 minutes. 28 minutes is a practice informed by Daoism that observes the flow of Qi to be 28.8 minutes. But the time may be more or less based upon various factors.
Traditional East Asian Medicine has five branches and Acupuncture is only one of them. Alessandra is trained and licensed in all of the branches - Acupuncture, Herbs, Nutrition, Body Work, and Energy Work. Your treatment may include Tui Na or Shiatsu Massage, Cupping, Moxibustion, Meditation, Dietary Guidance, Herbal Formulas, Qi Gong Exercises - in addition to Acupuncture!
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Some common precautions for acupuncture include but are not limited to:
Bleeding disorders: If you have a bleeding disorder like hemophilia, you should talk to your doctor or practitioner before getting acupuncture.
Medications: If you take anticoagulants or other medicines, you should talk to your doctor or practitioner before getting acupuncture.
Metal allergies: If you have a metal allergy, you should not get acupuncture.
Infections: If you have an infection in the area where the needles will be inserted, you should not get acupuncture.
Pacemakers / Electrical stimulation devices: If you have a pacemaker, you should tell your practitioner before getting acupuncture.
Pregnancy: You should tell your practitioner if you are pregnant, as some acupuncture points are not safe to use during pregnancy.
Driving: Your ability may be impaired after treatment. The treatment can be sedating. Please drive with extra caution.
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PREPARE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
Please eat within 1-4 hours before your treatment. Do not arrive hungry.
Don’t brush your tongue on the day of your appointment.
Empty your bladder and bowels before the treatment. You will not be able to use the restroom once the needles are in.
It is helpful, but not necessary, to wear loose clothing - especially around the legs. Frequently used Acupuncture points are located from just above the knee down to the toes. If your clothing is restrictive then your body will be draped.
If you have recent reports from your Primary Care Physician, please bring them along. Acupuncturists licensed in the state of California are required to have training in Western Medicine. Acupuncturists are designated as Primary Care Providers in states including California, Florida and Texas where this medicine is integrated into the health system. Although an Acupuncturist cannot diagnose from a Western Medical perspective, some information is helpful in refining our understanding of your whole health. If you have not seen a PCP or Specialist for your concern - this will not impact an Acupuncturist’s ability to diagnose you from a TCM / TEAM perspective.
BEFORE MICRONEEDLING
It is important to advise the practitioner of your history of cosmetic interventions including fillers, botox, microderm abrasions, use of acids and peels, etc. Please review “Am I a Good Candidate for Microneedling” on the FAQ page to determine if Microneedling is safe for you.
TREATMENT PREPARATION
Before treatment begins, you will be diagnosed based upon Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) methodology. This includes asking you many questions that help identify “patterns” of imbalances in your body. Some questions may seem unrelated to your condition. This is because TEAM is a holistic practice - the interconnectedness of the body / mind / spirit has always been considered. For example, the mind-gut connection has been acknowledged for centuries in TEAM.
Another aspect of TEAM diagnosis is the consideration of tongue and pulse. You may be asked to show your tongue and your wrist pulses may be taken by hand. In tongue and pulse diagnosis, the practitioner is assessing various qualities - these take years of clinical training to recognize. Indeed, mastery can take a lifetime.
It is advisable to wear loose clothing so that there is easy access to points on the arms, legs, back and abdomen. If your clothing is restrictive then you will be provided with the options to (1) undress privately in the treatment room and drape yourself or (2) use the private restroom to change into a robe that will be provided.
During treatment you may be lying on your back (supine) or on your stomach (prone). Fine needles, the size of a hair, will be inserted into parts of your body that are either energetic points, trigger points, or myofascial release points. More often than not, you will not feel the needles. You will remain in this position for up to 45 minutes. Many people take a restful nap or enjoy a deep meditation.
It is important that you remain unmoving on the table until you are told that the needles have been removed.
After treatment, move slowly and drink plenty of water. Patients typically report feeling relaxed to the point of sedation - even when given a treatment to help raise energy.
Results may not be immediate and do vary.
SIDE EFFECTS
The most commonly reported side-effect is deep relaxation, feelings of ease, and a reduction in pain.
Bruising can also occur. This is typically a cosmetic nuisance and not life threatening. If you are not on a regimen of blood thinners, then I recommend Arnica Cream to speed healing.
Pneumothorax is a rare and life threatening condition that can occur if a needle punctures the lung. If you feel shortness of breath, sharp stabbing pain, nausea, or dizziness after a treatment, then please seek medical help immediately.
Contact your acupuncturist as soon as practicable. DrYoung@retreatmentwellness.com
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Acupuncture is not a “cure.” It ignites your own body’s healing mechanisms. To the extent that your body has the ability to heal, Acupuncture can speed that process. Sometimes it seems like a “miraculous” cure because it is able to shift a person’s health in ways that western medicine or palliative medicine often fails to do.
Acupuncture can be used to address every health concern. If you are curious about how it will work for you and your specific health condition, then please sign up for a complimentary consultation.
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Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Length of treatment depends upon the nature of your pain. I offer telehealth consultations to discuss your condition and offer guidance. Please schedule yours TODAY
https.//retreatment.janeapp.com
Acupuncture for Women’s Health Issues: The standard length of time to rebalance a cycle and improve a “blood level” condition is 3 months. But results vary. I offer telehealth consultations to discuss your condition and offer guidance. Please schedule yours TODAY
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We use the Celluma Pro Panel which delivers a more powerful treatment than any consumer product.
LED Light Therapy enhances cellular metabolism, accelerating the repair and replenishment of damaged skin cells, as well as stimulating the production of collagen — the foundation of healthy, smooth skin. Research has shown that LED light therapy may help smooth skin texture, improve skin firmness and resilience, increase lymphatic system activity, restore skin’s natural cellular activity, and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and superficial hyperpigmentation. The treatment is for all skin types, and requires absolutely no downtime. Patients can return to their normal activity immediately after the treatment.
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A Cosmetic Acupuncture or Facial Acupuncture treatment is the use of ultra fine needles inserted into areas on the face to increase local blood flow, relax tight muscles, and stimulate the production of collagen. The treatment also includes traditional acupuncture so it is a holistic treatment addressing both cosmetic and underlying health concerns. The treatment addresses the wrinkles on the surface and also systemic inflammation, hormone imbalance, gut imbalance, and chronic stress. The treatment also promotes relaxation resulting in a good mood. So, at the end of a treatment not only do you benefit from improved blood flow into the musculature of the face and a plumping of local tissues: you also benefit from a better mood from full body relaxation. So, you also get a genuine SMILE. Isn't that beautiful?
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Acupuncture is a safe treatment that is used up to 2x daily. A typical treatment plan is 1x weekly for 6 weeks and then re-assess. In acute presentations, 2-3 times weekly treatment will produce a stronger healing effect than 1x weekly.
Microneedling: please wait 6-8 weeks between treatments.
Cosmetic Acupuncture to increase muscle tone, improve circulation, and relax facial muscles can be done in between micro needling treatments and every 3 days.
LED Light Therapy can be done 2-3x per week for maximum results.
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Acupuncture training is much more extensive and standardized
Licensed acupuncturists in the U.S. typically undergo programs of 2,000-3,000+ hours of combined didactic, clinical, and supervised hands-on training, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, acupuncture theory (meridians, channel points), diagnosis, needling techniques, hygiene, and safety.
NCCAOM licensing or an MD license are required by all Federal Health programs and the top Hospitals in the country like Huntsman Cancer or Mayo Clinic because this is the highest standard.
Dry needling, by contrast, is often taught in much shorter continuing education / workshop formats, sometimes as few as a weekend course or tens of hours, with variable supervision and less standardization across jurisdictions. In the state of Utah the requirement is 12 hours and this includes clinical oversight, versus an Acupuncturist with over 620 hours of clinical oversight needed to qualify for the licensing exam. An acupuncturist spends more time studying safety than a PT spends for a whole training.
Regulation & oversight
There is higher regulatory consistency for acupuncture: licensing boards, national exams, recognized accrediting bodies (e.g. ACAOM, NCCAOM in the U.S.), often clean-needle technique, supervised clinical hours, etc.
Dry needling regulation varies greatly from state to state. In many places there are minimal mandated hours, limited oversight, or even unclear or contested legal scope. In the state of Utah this is practically un-regulated. There is no proficiency examination with oversight to create a professional standard.
Acupuncture is Highly Effective for the Treatment of Anxiety
The latest research shows that acupuncture is a promising treatment for anxiety. A key study, The Acupuncture Evidence Project, published in 2017 by Dr. John McDonald and Dr. Stephen Janz, reviewed a wealth of clinical data and confirmed that acupuncture is moderately effective in treating anxiety. This study built upon earlier reviews and found strong evidence supporting acupuncture’s benefits.
For example, a 2016 systematic review of over 400 patients found that acupuncture produced significant improvements in anxiety, outperforming conventional treatments. The largest of these studies, which included 120 patients, revealed that acupuncture had a much larger impact on reducing anxiety and depression compared to standard treatments like medication and therapy—showing more than twice the reduction in symptoms.
In a more recent 2018 review, which included 13 studies, all found that acupuncture led to a decrease in anxiety levels compared to control groups, including studies that used pharmaceutical treatments as a baseline. This growing body of research supports acupuncture as a highly effective and natural option for managing anxiety.
Research shows that anxiety affects anywhere from 1% to 30% of people worldwide. It’s a condition that can look very different from person to person, with 13 different types of anxiety disorders recognized by mental health professionals. Symptoms can range from feeling short of breath and your heart racing, to more intense experiences like panic attacks, chronic headaches, body aches, and even trouble sleeping.
Anxiety is a complicated and widespread condition that often disrupts daily life. While medication is commonly prescribed to manage it, there are also alternative treatments, like acupuncture, that may help bring relief and restore balance to both the mind and body.
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a key role in maintaining the body's balance and well-being. It consists of two branches: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which triggers the body's "fight or flight" responses, and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which promotes relaxation and recovery. These two systems work together to regulate vital functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure, depending on the situation. For example, the SNS ramps up heart rate and energy, while the PNS slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure.
What’s exciting is that research shows acupuncture can influence both the SNS and PNS, helping to restore balance in the body’s stress response.
One of the most revealing signs of the body’s ability to handle stress is Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Unlike a metronome, the heart doesn’t beat in a perfectly steady rhythm. Instead, it fluctuates based on the body’s response to the environment. A higher HRV is linked to better overall health, including mental well-being and lower anxiety levels. Studies have shown that acupuncture can improve HRV, helping the body cope with stress more effectively.
When a person experiences stress, the brain's hypothalamus releases chemicals to help the body respond. Research indicates that acupuncture can help calm this stress response, easing the body’s physical reactions to stress.
Additionally, acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals. These endorphins help regulate stress responses, including pain, heart rate, blood pressure, and digestive function—further supporting the idea that acupuncture can help reduce anxiety.