It is now confirmed that stress, particularly chronic daily “bad” stress (distress), is linked to numerous health problems, either increasing the likelihood of their occurrence or worsening pre-existing conditions.

The body experiences a state of daily disruption across various systems to cope with continuous pressure and tension. The main disruption affects the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems (neuro-immune-endocrine), with noticeable consequences on other organs and systems, as the secretion of neurotransmitters (substances that carry stimuli throughout the body), the cells responsible for controlling inflammation, and hormones are affected.

Some of the problems that can appear or worsen in a person with chronic daily stress include:

Cardiological issues: Stress can directly impact heart rate, cholesterol levels, triglycerides in the blood, and blood pressure, with consequences for the cardiovascular system.

Bronchial asthma, which significantly worsens under intense pressure and stress.

Obesity: Stress is thought to facilitate fat accumulation in the abdominal area by increasing the secretion of cortisol, which, in turn, promotes fat storage in that region.

Dermatological issues: Conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa, which are chronic diseases with flare-ups and remissions.

Autoimmune diseases: Stress disrupts the immune system, leading to systemic as well as typical dermatological manifestations. Examples include systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, and multiple sclerosis.

Diabetes: Stress increases cravings for food and sweets, raising the likelihood of developing diabetes and increasing blood sugar levels.

Tension headaches and migraines, with chronic stress considered one of the most common triggers, and it is also linked to high rates of depression. Recent studies show that individuals with chronic stress related to their job (e.g., demanding work with low rewards) have an 80% higher risk of developing depression in the following years compared to others.

Gastrointestinal problems: Exacerbation of pre-existing ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Alzheimer’s disease: Stress reduction is believed to have a dynamic role in slowing the progression of the disease.

Premature aging: Recent studies have identified a specific region of chromosomes affected by stress, which seems to cause premature aging by 9-17 years.

Symptoms caused by stress and generally psychosomatic symptoms are considered an indication for the treatment of medical acupuncture, according to studies conducted in the Western medical world. Acupuncture has a regulatory role on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis as well as the neuro-endocrine-immune system. Acupuncture, particularly electroacupuncture, is believed to modulate the composition of various neurotransmitters in the nervous system (neuroplasticity), influencing the production of substances like cortisol, ACTH, acetylcholine, endorphins, melatonin, as well as serotonin, norepinephrine, and nitric oxide. Thus, acupuncture is considered an important complementary and often standalone therapy for managing such conditions.

Some examples of conditions and disorders where acupuncture may have a regulatory role include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Panic attacks
• Mood disorders
• Sexual dysfunctions
• Headaches, migraines
• Menstrual disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Sleep disorders
• General disorders caused by increased and poorly managed stress

The design of acupuncture treatment protocols is crucial, involving the selection of acupuncture points as well as the technique of stimulation (e.g., whether electroacupuncture is used). This allows for the choice of a mechanism of action that may differ for each individual case. For example, the goal may be to boost the immune system, reduce sympathetic tone (relaxation), or activate the limbic system (improving mood), etc.

Medical acupuncture is considered a safe method, without side effects, that can be combined with other therapies to support individuals suffering from psychosomatic symptoms.