Acupuncture for stress and burnout in Gothenburg
Acupuncture is often used for long-term stress and burnout, and many people find they sleep better and feel calmer after a few sessions. Some studies suggest acupuncture can influence the autonomic nervous system, which governs the body’s stress response. At Dr. Tian Akupunktur in Eriksberg, Gothenburg, treatment complements the care and support you already have.
The TCM view
How TCM understands stress and burnout
Traditional Chinese medicine describes long-term stress as stagnation of Liver Qi. Energy gets stuck, causing irritability, tension, headaches and an unsettled stomach. When stress continues for a long time, deeper reserves are drained as well, leading to what TCM calls weak Kidney and Spleen energy, and exhaustion takes over.
That explains why burnout often feels contradictory: you are wired and worn out at the same time. Treatment therefore needs to release tension and rebuild strength.
The treatment
How treatment works
At the health consultation you go through your sleep, workload, digestion, menstrual cycle (where relevant) and how long you have felt this way. Dr. Tian also examines your pulse and tongue.
For stress, calming points are used most often, usually together with ear acupuncture. If your muscles are tight, cupping over the neck and back may be included. Many people find the treatment deeply relaxing, and some fall asleep on the treatment couch.
Experience and research
Dr. Tian’s experience and what the research says
Stress-related problems have run through Dr. Tian’s whole career, from university hospitals in China to her clinic in Eriksberg, where they make up a large part of her work today. She earned her PhD at the Sahlgrenska Academy in 2008.
Some studies suggest acupuncture can affect the autonomic nervous system and stress hormones, which matches what many patients describe. For burnout, acupuncture is a complement to sick leave, talking therapy and the plan you have with your healthcare provider.
Expectations
What to expect
In Dr. Tian’s experience, many people notice a difference in sleep and tension after two or three sessions. Burnout that has lasted a long time needs a longer course, often ten to twelve sessions spaced further apart over time.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, and energy often returns in waves. Some people feel particularly tired on the first day after a session before their sleep improves. That is common and not a setback.
Treatments often used
Every new patient starts with a health consultation or a first visit that includes acupuncture. Dr. Tian then suggests the treatments that suit you.
Health consultation
30 minPulse and tongue diagnosis, and a treatment plan made for you.
SEK 550
BookHealth consultationAcupuncture, first visit
60 minA 30-minute health consultation followed by 30 minutes of acupuncture.
SEK 1,400
BookAcupuncture, first visitAcupuncture, follow-up
50 minSterile single-use needles placed at points chosen for your TCM diagnosis.
SEK 1,050
BookAcupuncture, follow-upCupping
45 minGentle suction that lifts the tissue and increases blood flow in tense muscles.
SEK 800
BookCuppingEar acupuncture
45 minTiny needles or seeds on points in the outer ear.
SEK 800
BookEar acupuncture
On Saturdays a supplement of SEK 180 applies to all treatments.
Frequently asked questions
Does acupuncture help with burnout?
Acupuncture is often used as support during burnout, especially for sleep, tension and stomach problems. It does not replace your care plan, and the pace of your return to work is decided with your healthcare provider.
Can I come straight from work?
Yes, many people do. The clinic is by the water in Eriksberg, and a walk along the quayside is a good way to unwind. Try not to book anything demanding straight afterwards, as most people leave relaxed and a little drowsy.
Can I combine acupuncture with antidepressants?
Yes. Acupuncture can be combined with antidepressants and sleep medication. Bring a list of what you take, and never change your medication without talking to the person who prescribed it.
Conditions that often go together
- Sleep problemsTrouble falling asleep, waking in the night or waking too early: three different patterns in TCM.
- Migraine and headacheMigraine, tension headache and pressure behind the eyes, treated according to where the pain sits and what sets it off.
- TinnitusRinging in the ears, treated according to how the sound behaves, always alongside work on the neck, jaw and sleep.
Come in for a personal health consultation
Book 30 minutes with Dr. Tian. She listens to your concerns and examines your pulse and tongue. Together you agree on a plan: your first step towards better health.