When Your Body Speaks - How Anxiety Shows Up Physically and How We Treat It
Anxiety Isn't Just in Your Head
Have you ever felt tightness in your chest, a lump in your throat, or knots in your stomach when you’re worried or stressed? That’s not your imagination. Anxiety doesn’t just live in your mind—it often shows up in your body first. At Seyhart Wellness, we believe that listening to these physical signs is the first step toward real healing.
The Nervous System’s Alarm Bells
Anxiety is the body's natural alarm system. When your brain thinks you’re in danger—even if you’re not—it sends signals through your nervous system that change how your body feels. Studies show that people with anxiety often experience muscle tension, jaw clenching, upset stomach, chest discomfort, and even headaches (Kaiser Permanente). These feelings aren’t random; they’re messages from your body asking for help.
Chest Tightness and Breathing Changes
One of the most common ways anxiety shows up is chest tightness. You might feel like it’s harder to breathe deeply or that a weight is sitting on your chest. This happens because anxiety activates your body’s "fight or flight" system, which makes your breathing fast and shallow. Research has found that breathing patterns change significantly during anxious moments, leading to physical symptoms like shortness of breath and discomfort (National Library of Medicine).
Jaw Clenching and Muscle Tension
Another place anxiety hides is the jaw and shoulders. If you notice yourself clenching your teeth at night or feeling stiff in your neck, anxiety might be the cause. Over time, these habits can create real pain. Studies have shown a strong link between stress, jaw tension (called bruxism), and chronic headaches (Mayo Clinic). When we ignore these signs, tension can build up even more, making both anxiety and pain harder to manage.
Your Stomach: The Second Brain
Your stomach is another major place where anxiety speaks loudly. You may have heard of "butterflies in your stomach," but for people with anxiety, stomach upset can become a daily problem. Research shows that anxiety can upset digestion, cause bloating, and even trigger conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (University of Chicago Medicine). Scientists call this connection between your gut and your brain the "gut-brain axis"—meaning what you feel emotionally often shows up physically too.
How Acupuncture and Cupping Help
At Seyhart Acupuncture for Anxiety, we offer acupuncture and cupping to help calm both the mind and body. Acupuncture places tiny needles at special points on your body that help regulate your nervous system, lower stress hormones, and promote relaxation. Cupping gently pulls on the skin and muscles, helping release trapped tension and improve blood flow. Clinical studies show that acupuncture reduces anxiety symptoms by calming the body’s stress response and even shifting brain wave patterns toward relaxation (Medical Acupuncture, 2024). Many of our clients say they feel lighter, breathe easier, and sleep better after just a few sessions.
Listening to Your Body Is the First Step
Listening to your body’s anxiety signals isn’t a weakness—it is indeed a skill that you can strengthen. By noticing early signs like chest pressure, jaw tension, or stomach upset, you give yourself the power to heal before anxiety takes over. Whether through acupuncture, cupping, Tuina, mindfulness, or a combination of these therapies, your body can move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling calm, strong, and balanced.