Acupuncture FAQ: A Gentle Path Back to Balance
Acupuncture in Arnold, serving Severna Park, Annapolis & nearby Maryland communities
Perilla Wellness – Integrative Wellness Center
If you’ve been wondering about acupuncture, there’s usually a reason.
Sometimes it’s physical pain.
Sometimes stress or anxiety.
Sometimes it’s harder to name — just a feeling that something is off, or that you’ve drifted a little far from yourself.
At Perilla Wellness, acupuncture is about more than symptom relief. It’s a gentle way to support your nervous system, encourage your body’s natural healing processes, and help you reconnect with a steadier sense of wellbeing.
Below are answers to questions we commonly hear from patients coming from Arnold, Severna Park, Annapolis, and surrounding Maryland communities.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and involves placing very fine sterile needles at specific points on the body to support balance and healing.
Research suggests acupuncture may help:
Reduce inflammation
Support nervous system regulation
Improve circulation
Provide natural pain relief
Ease stress and anxiety
Many patients describe something simple but meaningful afterward — feeling calmer, clearer, more grounded. Sometimes that shift alone opens the door to healing.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Usually not.
The needles are extremely thin — far finer than injections.
You may notice:
A soft warmth or tingling
A grounded, heavy sensation
Deep relaxation
Many patients even fall asleep during treatment, which often reflects how ready the body is to rest.
Can acupuncture help anxiety or stress?
Yes. Many people seek acupuncture for anxiety in Arnold, Severna Park, and Annapolis because it supports nervous system regulation and promotes a sense of calm.
Patients often notice:
Reduced stress reactivity
Emotional steadiness
Greater clarity and focus
Feeling more like themselves again
You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit. Sometimes you simply want more ease in daily life.
Can acupuncture help with pain naturally?
Absolutely.
Acupuncture is frequently used for natural pain relief in Arnold and Severna Park to support:
Chronic pain
Muscle tension
Injury recovery
Headaches or migraines
Inflammation-related discomfort
It can work beautifully alongside massage therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and conventional medical care.
Do I need a diagnosis to come in?
Not at all.
Many people come because:
Something feels stuck
Stress has accumulated
They feel disconnected from themselves
They want proactive wellness support
You don’t need a diagnosis to deserve care. Curiosity is enough.
What happens at the first session?
Your first visit is conversational, collaborative, and always includes an acupuncture treatment.
We’ll discuss:
Health history
Current concerns
Stress, energy, digestion, sleep patterns
Emotional wellbeing
What you hope to feel more of in your life
Because Perilla Wellness is an integrative wellness center, your care may include supportive elements tailored specifically to you. Healing here is something we create together.
Can acupuncture work alongside other therapies?
Yes — and we strongly encourage integrative care.
At Perilla Wellness, acupuncture often complements:
Therapeutic massage
Counseling or mental health support
Reiki or energy work
Medical care
Nervous system regulation practices
Many patients appreciate having multiple supportive modalities available in one peaceful space.
How often should I come?
That depends on your goals and what your body needs.
Some people come weekly for a period of time.
Some come periodically for support.
Some come simply because they feel better when they do.
We’ll decide together what feels supportive and realistic.
Why choose Perilla Wellness?
We’ve intentionally created Perilla Wellness to feel less clinical and more like a place where you can exhale.
Our acupuncture approach blends:
Five Element acupuncture
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Science-informed nervous system support
Intuition and compassionate listening
We don’t see you as a collection of symptoms. We see a whole person who may simply need support remembering how deeply well they already are.
Ready to try acupuncture?
If you’re exploring acupuncture for anxiety, natural pain relief, stress support, or simply feeling more balanced in:
Arnold • Severna Park • Annapolis • surrounding Maryland communities
You can schedule your first session online, or simply reach out with questions — whichever feels most comfortable.
Doors open. Hearts open. All are welcome.
Sometimes the first step is just allowing yourself to begin.
Love,
Melissa
