Acupuncture works very well for calming stress and anxiety. During an acupuncture treatment, it is common for patients to relax so deeply that they fall asleep. This deep relaxation carries over into the following days after the treatment. Often patients report that they sleep better and are less reactive to stressful events at home or during the workday. Recent studies have found that acupuncture helps the nervous system switch over to the parasympathetic “rest and digest” system to promote healing and resiliency in the face of stress. This balances the “fight or flight” response by the sympathetic nervous system.