Rediscovering Acupuncture: A Forgotten Ally in Mental Health Care

By Melana Rabinovich, PMHNP-BC — Great Mind Psychiatry

Somewhere along the way, we seem to have forgotten about acupuncture. In modern psychiatry, we focus heavily on medications, therapy, and evidence-based interventions, all of which are incredibly important and life-changing. But as we’ve advanced scientifically, we’ve sometimes overlooked practices that have supported human well-being for centuries. Acupuncture is one of those powerful yet underused tools.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how deeply the mind and body influence each other. Patients often share that their anxiety feels like “tension in the chest” or that depression “weighs on their body.” These are not just figures of speech, they’re real physiological expressions of emotional pain. Acupuncture bridges that gap beautifully.

How Acupuncture Supports Mental Health

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing practice that involves inserting very fine needles into specific points along the body’s energy pathways. While it’s thousands of years old, modern research now validates what practitioners have known all along, that acupuncture can help regulate the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and improve the flow of the body’s natural energy, or “qi.”

For mental health, this means improved mood regulation, better stress response, and a sense of calm that’s both physical and emotional. In many ways, acupuncture reminds the body how to restore balance, something we all need, especially in a fast-paced, overstimulated world.

The Overlooked Benefits for Mental Health

1. Calming the Mind and Body: Acupuncture has been shown to lower cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. This can ease symptoms of anxiety, restlessness, and even panic. Patients often describe leaving sessions feeling lighter and more centered.

2. Supporting Depression Recovery: By stimulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, acupuncture can gently lift mood and complement the effects of antidepressant treatment. It’s especially helpful for patients seeking a natural way to enhance emotional stability.

3. Improving Sleep and Energy: Insomnia, fatigue, and brain fog are common in anxiety and depression. Acupuncture can help regulate sleep patterns and increase overall vitality — something medication alone doesn’t always achieve.

4. Restoring Balance: Mental health challenges often create a sense of internal imbalance. Acupuncture helps restore the body’s natural rhythm, promoting a feeling of harmony that supports emotional healing.

Integrating Ancient Wisdom with Modern Psychiatry

At Great Mind Psychiatry, I believe true healing comes from integrating both modern science and timeless wisdom. Acupuncture is not a replacement for psychiatric treatment, but it can enhance it, offering patients another pathway toward balance and recovery.

It’s time we bring acupuncture back into the conversation about mental health. It’s gentle, evidence-supported, and deeply aligned with the holistic care many of us are seeking today.

If you’ve never considered acupuncture as part of your wellness plan, it may be worth revisiting. Sometimes, the practices we’ve forgotten can make the most meaningful difference.

At Great Mind Psychiatry, my goal is to help patients reconnect with both their minds and bodies — using every tool, new and old, that supports healing. Acupuncture reminds us that balance isn’t something we chase; it’s something we restore.