We live in a world that’s always “on.”
From the moment we wake up, we’re met with glowing screens, nonstop notifications, and an overwhelming flood of information. Between work emails, texts, social media, news alerts, and streaming content, it’s easy to spend 8–10+ hours a day on screens—often without realizing it.
And while technology is a part of everyday life, this constant stimulation comes at a cost—especially for your nervous system.
If you’ve been feeling any of the following, screen time might be a major contributor:
- Tightness in your neck, jaw, or shoulders
- Frequent headaches or eye strain
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Anxiety or irritability that seems to come out of nowhere
- Mental fatigue, brain fog, or trouble focusing
- Feeling wired but exhausted, like you can’t fully relax
- Disconnected from your body or emotionally flat
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. These are all signs that your nervous system may be stuck in a state of overstimulation—and it needs help resetting.
How Screen Time and Overstimulation Disrupt Your Nervous System
Your nervous system is built to handle stress in short bursts—not all day, every day. But with screens constantly in our hands and in our faces, your system doesn’t get a break. Instead, it stays stuck in high-alert mode, which affects nearly every part of your health.
It keeps you in a low-level stress response
Every ping, scroll, and glowing notification triggers your sympathetic nervous system—the part responsible for fight or flight. Over time, your body may stay in a heightened stress state even when nothing is wrong.
It overstimulates your senses
Fast-moving visuals, blue light, and constant multitasking overload your brain. The result? Mental fatigue, irritability, difficulty focusing, and burnout.
It disrupts sleep cycles
Screen exposure—especially in the evening—suppresses melatonin, the hormone that regulates your circadian rhythm. That’s why you might struggle with insomnia, shallow sleep, or fatigue—even after “resting.”
It creates physical tension
Many people unconsciously clench their jaw, hunch over, or hold their breath during screen use. This leads to tight neck and shoulders, jaw pain (TMJ), eye strain, and headaches.
It disconnects you from your body
When you’re constantly in your head and on a device, it becomes easy to ignore signals like hunger, stress, or fatigue—until they turn into real symptoms.
How Acupuncture Offsets the Effects of Screen Time
This is where acupuncture shines. It offers something rare in our fast-paced world: a reset.
Acupuncture helps reverse the physical and neurological effects of overstimulation. It brings your nervous system out of “survival mode” and into a place where it can rest, repair, and regulate.
Here’s how it helps:
Activates your parasympathetic nervous system
Also known as the “rest and digest” mode, this calms your heart rate, slows your breathing, and lowers cortisol (your main stress hormone).
Improves sleep quality
Acupuncture supports melatonin production and helps rebalance your sleep-wake cycle—especially important if you’re prone to nighttime scrolling or screen-induced insomnia.
Releases physical tension
Targeted acupuncture points can release tension in your jaw, neck, shoulders, and back—areas that often hold stress from prolonged screen use or poor posture.
Clears brain fog and mental fatigue
By improving blood flow and balancing energy in the body, acupuncture can help you feel mentally sharper, more focused, and emotionally steady.
Reconnects you to your body
Many clients describe feeling more grounded and aware of themselves after a session. That body-mind reconnection is part of what makes acupuncture so effective for modern, tech-driven stress.
Acupuncture FAQs
Q: How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your symptoms and goals. Many people feel better after just one session, but longer-lasting results typically come with weekly sessions over 4–6 weeks.
Q: Does it hurt?
Not at all. The needles are extremely thin, and most people find the experience relaxing—some even fall asleep.
Q: Will insurance cover my acupuncture visits?
Yes! Kari is now credentialed with Blue Cross Blue Shield, and many plans offer coverage for acupuncture services. Verify your coverage here.
Q: What if I’m not sick—just overwhelmed, tired, or burned out?
That’s exactly what acupuncture is great for. It’s one of the most effective tools for regulating the nervous system and restoring mental and physical balance.
Q: My tension is mostly in my jaw/shoulders—is that treatable?
Yes! Kari often uses a combination of acupuncture and neuromuscular techniques to relieve chronic tension, TMJ, and posture-related discomfort from screen use.
Your Nervous System Is Talking. Are You Listening?
You don’t need to wait until you’re completely burned out to take care of yourself. If your nervous system feels wired, your mind is overstimulated, or your body is carrying tension that won’t let go, acupuncture can help you reset.
Kari offers personalized acupuncture sessions designed to support your nervous system, release tension, and help you reconnect with your body. And now that she accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance at all three Needle & Glow locations, your treatments may be covered.
You can verify your coverage here or go ahead and book your appointment with Kari.