These three Eastern medicine healing methods can reduce anxiety and stress today

This final piece in my Eastern medicine series ends on a high note with methods that have been a vital piece in my mind and body health healing. Although I thought these methods were "woo-woo" at first, I always try to keep an open mind since my health journey has taught me that you never know what is going to help a person heal. After multiple attempts of trying each modality, I can safely say that the ealry research showing these methods hold health benefit are real.

Since health insurance does not often cover such healing methods, people may be less likely to try them due to budgetary issues. Throughout each section, I will provide tips for reaping similar benefits of the methods described in a budget-friendly way. Read below to learn more about acupuncture, Reiki, and reflexology as well as my personal experience and health benefits from each healing modality.

Acupuncture

The origins of acupuncture are grounded in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and encompass views from Confucianism and Taoism philosophies that see health as a balance of yin and yang energies, with optimal health coming from an alignment of qi (pronounced 'chee'), or vital energy.1 It is thought that any blockages to this energy can cause health issues. Therefore, acupuncture uses small, extremely thin needles or pressure to specific points on the body to improve the flow of qi in the body.

A multitude of research shows a variety of health benefits one can reap from having acupuncture treatment. Such benefits include:

A 2025 study of hemodialysis patients found the regular acupuncture treatments helped reduce the symptoms of restless leg syndrome. 2
A 2025 study of leukemia patients shows that acupuncture and foot reflexology could help improve sleep quality in this population. 3
A 2025 meta-analysis of studies shows that acupuncture could improve quality of life and symptoms severity in those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when engaging in treatments of at least 30 minutes each on a regular basis. 4
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of studies shows that acupuncture treatment could improve symptoms in those with primary osteoporosis. 5

Although acupuncture was once thought of as a fringe treatment, research such as that seen above are showing the medical world its potential valid health benefits. Because of this, acupuncture is covered by a variety of health insurance providers including Aetna, Kaiser, and Medicare Part B. 6 Although, some restrictions may apply on such coverage, so be sure to contact your healthcare provider for more information on acupuncture coverage.

Reiki

Reiki is considered a type of energy therapy with origins in Japan. The word reiki comes from "rei" meaning universal and "ki" meaning life energy. 7 Reiki has been around for 2500 years, but the form of reiki that we know now was developed by Mikao Usui in 1922. Unlike what some may believe, reiki is not directly associated with any form of religion. 8 It has no specific doctrine and requires no membership to reap its benefits. In fact, my reiki practitioner has recommended lighting candles to saints and visiting various religious historical sites outside of my treatment to help calm my mind and body. Reiki is simply a way to calm the energy of the body so we can calm our mind and in turn enjoy better holistic health.

In a session of Reiki, the client will lay fully clothed on a treatment table while the practitioner lightly places their hands on or above the client's head, limbs, or torso, for example. There is thought to be an energy transfer between the practitioner and the client that helps remove any stagnant energy in the client.

Yes, I know how this sounds. Let the early research speak for itself. Check out the latest studies on Reiki and various health issues.

A 2025 meta-analysis and systematic review shows that Reiki therapy may help improve quality of life markers in those with chronic conditions, those who have had surgery, or just the general population. It is recommended to engage in at least eight sessions at least 60 minutes in length in order to reap the optimal benefits of this therapy. 9
A 2018 meta-analysis of studies showed that Reiki helped relieve physical pain in a variety of health conditions. 10
A 2022 study shows that Reiki treatment can induce relaxation, improve mood, and increase overall well-being in adults. 11
A 2019 study shows that a single session of Reiki can help significantly improve parameters like mood, pain, energy, anxiety, depression, and overall well-being. 12
A 2022 study shows that Reiki can improve markers of stress and depression better than placebo. 13
A 2024 study of individuals with multiple sclerosis shows that Reiki helped significantly improve sleep and fatigue in this population. 14
A 2024 study of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) shows that Reiki treatment helped improve sleep quality and decreased anxiety related to death in this population. 15
A 2024 study of epilepsy patients shows that Reiki treatment helped improve sleep quality and quality of life in this population. 16
A 2024 meta-analysis of studies shows that short-term Reiki therapy interventions between about three and eight sessions show effectiveness in reducing health and procedural anxiety in patient with chronic conditions like gastrointestinal endoscopy inflammation, fibromyalgia, and depression, as well as for those in the general population. 17
A 2017 study review finds that Reiki is a safe and gentle complementary therapy to help activate the parasympathetic nervous system to help provide healing to mind and body health. 18

The mechanism of reiki therapy is unclear, and some may say it is simply the placebo effect that makes people feel better. But research so far has made it clear the reiki is more effective than placebo in managing nervous system symptoms and improving sleep.

Reflexology

Reflexology is a non-pharmacological therapy that stimulates different pressure points in the hands, feet, and ears in order to help restore energy flow to specific secretory glands, organs, and other parts of the body. 19 In my experience, reflexology simply feels like a very relaxing foot massage.

For me, such treatment combined with Reiki (my practitioner was certified in both therapies) helped reduce my anxiety, improve my digestion, and just made me feel calmer and more relaxed. Even if it was just a placebo effect, I'll take it. But from the research findings below, it's clear that reflexology, like Reiki and acupuncture, is not just a placebo effect, but has a valid positive effect on mental and physical health for many people.

A 2024 randomized controlled study shows that foot reflexology helped improve sleep and reduce pain, anxiety, and fatigue in those that underwent cardiovascular surgery. 19
A 2025 study on hemodialysis patients shows that reflexology treatments can help reduce the symptoms of restless legs syndrome. 20
A 2025 literature review shows that foot reflexology along with aromatherapy with essential oils can enhance sleep quality in healthy adults. 21
A 2025 study shows that combined acupuncture and reflexology treatments can improve sleep quality and overall well-being in individuals with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 22
A 2024 single-blind, randomized controlled trial shows that foot reflexology massage can reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and enhance quality of life in those undergoing hemodialysis treatment. 23

ed with fingers

Key Takeaways

Like many of you reading this, I was a bit skeptical when I first considered any of these healing treatments. My Western medicine doctors could not figure out what was causing my digestive issues, and multiple steroid injections were not controlling my back and neck pain from car accident injuries long-term. Therefore, who was I to believe that foot massages and getting poked with tiny needles was going to do anything. But staying open-minded to alternative therapies showed me that they could help me not only in improving the health of my body, but also my mind.

Now as I mentioned before, these improvements could be a placebo effect on my part. Who knows? But experts report that the placebo effect can help improve health markers in many ways that we may not have yet realized. 24 If such an effect could help you sleep better, worry less, and feel less pain, than why not try it. But it's easy to see from the research on such therapies so far that the benefits of such therapies are very real.

With 40-percent of people with chronic pain in the United States experiencing anxiety and depression, and one in five adults in the United States with or without any other health conditions experiencing anxiety and depression, we need to find more ways to help people improve their mental health. 25 26 Although talk therapy and medication options may be necessary to help some people manage their mental health conditions, it may not be enough for everyone to feel their best. Therefore, alternative therapies provide a complementary method along with such Western medicine modalities to help people reduce pain, stress, anxiety, and in turn improve sleep and quality of life.

And doesn't everyone deserve to live their best life?

References:

These three Eastern medicine healing methods can reduce anxiety and stress today

Recent Posts

Comments