Burnout and Chronic Stress

Written By Julie Butterworth

What I See in Clinic in Bath — And How Acupuncture May Help

If I had to choose one word that describes what I see most often in clinic at AcuBath in Bath, it would be this:

Exhausted.

Not just tired.
Not just busy.
But running on reserve.

Many of the people who come to see me for acupuncture in Bath are high functioning. They have coped for years. They are professionals, parents, carers, business owners. They keep going.

Until they can’t.

By the time they book in, they often say:

“I’ve tried everything.”
“My blood tests are normal.”
“I just don’t feel like myself anymore.”

This is often burnout.

What Is Burnout?

Burnout is not a formal medical diagnosis, but it is widely recognised as a state of prolonged emotional and physical strain.

It can develop from:

  • Ongoing workplace stress

  • Caring responsibilities

  • Hormonal transition such as menopause

  • Chronic illness

  • Grief or trauma

  • Long periods of “pushing through”

Common symptoms include:

  • Persistent fatigue

  • Disturbed sleep

  • Anxiety or irritability

  • Digestive discomfort

  • Brain fog

  • Increased pain sensitivity

  • Feeling emotionally flat or detached

If symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening, medical assessment is important to rule out underlying conditions such as thyroid disorders, anaemia or depression.

Acupuncture is not a replacement for medical care, but many people choose to use it alongside conventional support.

What Is Happening in the Body?

Prolonged stress can influence the autonomic nervous system, which regulates:

  • Heart rate

  • Digestion

  • Hormonal signalling

  • Sleep cycles

The sympathetic branch prepares us for action.
The parasympathetic branch supports rest and repair.

In many people with burnout, the body appears to spend prolonged periods in a heightened alert state. Over time this may contribute to:

  • Poor sleep

  • Digestive changes

  • Increased muscle tension

  • Heightened reactivity

  • Hormonal fluctuation

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, I may see patterns such as:

  • Liver Qi stagnation

  • Yin deficiency

  • Heart and Kidney disharmony

  • Spleen Qi deficiency

Different language. Same observation: the system has lost its rhythm.

Why People Seek Acupuncture When “Nothing Else Has Worked”

In Bath, I often see patients after they have:

  • Seen their GP

  • Had blood tests

  • Tried supplements

  • Practised mindfulness

  • Adjusted their workload

  • Considered or started medication

Sometimes these interventions are helpful.
Sometimes they do not fully address the physical experience of being stuck in “high alert”.

Acupuncture is often sought because it works through the body.

Patients frequently describe feeling deeply relaxed during treatment. Some report improved sleep or reduced tension over time. Responses vary between individuals.

How Acupuncture May Support Burnout and Stress

Research into acupuncture is ongoing. Current evidence suggests it may:

1. Influence Autonomic Activity

Some studies indicate acupuncture may promote parasympathetic activity, which is associated with rest and recovery responses.

2. Support Sleep

Clinical studies suggest acupuncture may be helpful for some people experiencing insomnia, although results vary.

3. Modulate Pain Pathways

Acupuncture is recommended by NICE for certain chronic pain conditions and may influence endogenous pain modulation systems.

4. Encourage Relaxation Response

Many patients report a sense of calm during and after treatment. For individuals experiencing prolonged stress, this shift can feel significant.

Burnout in Midlife and Menopause

In my Bath clinic, many women in their 40s and 50s describe symptoms that overlap with burnout:

  • Waking at 3am

  • Anxiety that feels new or unfamiliar

  • Palpitations

  • Overwhelm

  • Brain fog

  • Fatigue despite resting

Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can make the nervous system more sensitive to stress.

Acupuncture is sometimes used to support sleep, stress management and menopausal symptoms. If symptoms are significant, medical advice regarding HRT or other options is important.

What I Often See Change First

Burnout recovery is rarely dramatic. It is gradual.

Common early shifts reported include:

  • Sleeping slightly more deeply

  • Waking less anxious

  • Digestive improvements

  • Feeling less reactive

  • A return of small amounts of energy

Recovery from prolonged stress takes time. In clinic, I aim to support steady regulation rather than quick fixes.

Final Thoughts

Burnout is often the result of prolonged resilience.

The nervous system is adaptable, but it is not designed for constant strain.

Acupuncture may offer a way to support regulation, encourage rest and help restore steadiness.

If you are in Bath and would like to explore whether acupuncture may be suitable for you, you are welcome to get in touch.

Research and Evidence (For Transparency)

Current research suggests acupuncture may:

  • Influence autonomic nervous system activity

  • Be helpful for certain pain conditions (NICE guidelines)

  • Support sleep in some individuals

  • Affect brain regions involved in stress and emotional processing

Research continues to evolve and individual outcomes vary.

Julie Butterworth
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Acupuncture and the Nervous System - and why it matters!