Stress causes tension buildup in the shoulders, which leads to shoulder pain, neck pain and headaches. In TCM, the gall bladder channel runs over the shoulders, up the neck and on the sides of the head. This channel is paired with the liver channel, such that stress-related problems that affect the liver often affect the gall bladder as well. The liver is the one organ capable of affecting all of the other organs.
TCM techniques such as acupuncture and acupressure can induce a relaxation response, which decreases the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases energy and tissue regeneration, and reduces stress. One feels more relaxed, and digestion improves. As tension is relieved, so are headaches. Instead of being tense and angry, one remains calm, tempers stay even, and blood pressure can even decrease. Studies have shown that the substances released in the body as a result of acupuncture relax the body, and also regulate serotonin in the brain, which affects emotional states.
TCM will not, of course, change the circumstances of a person's life. But it can relieve feelings of anxiety or depression. As the heavy feelings of stress are relieved, a person feels more confidence in his ability to cope with the negative aspects of life and make necessary changes. This in turn can eliminate dependence on sleeping pills, tranquilizers and antidepressants.