Introduction: The problem with conventional stress treatment
If you’ve been dealing with chronic anxiety, insomnia, or unexplained pain, you’ve probably tried the conventional route: therapy, medication, supplements, meditation apps. Maybe some things helped temporarily. But nothing actually resolved the problem.
You’re still waking at 3 AM with your mind racing. Your shoulders are permanently knotted. Small stressors feel like emergencies. You’re exhausted but can’t relax. Pain shows up in places that have no clear cause.
You’ve been told it’s “just stress” and to “manage it better.” But what does that even mean when your body won’t calm down no matter what you do?
Here’s why conventional treatments often fail: most approaches address symptoms, not the dysregulated nervous system causing them.
At Calm San Diego, we’ve developed something different: the Nervous System Reset Protocol—a proprietary system that combines precision acupuncture, vagus nerve stimulation, and neuroscience-based interventions to literally recalibrate how your body responds to stress.
This isn’t symptom management. This is nervous system reprogramming.
What makes the Nervous System Reset Protocol different
Most treatments do one of two things:
1. Suppress symptoms (medications, sedatives)—which means you’re dependent on them forever and never address the root cause.
2. Teach coping strategies (therapy, mindfulness)—which are valuable but don’t address the physiological dysregulation happening in your body.
Our protocol does something else entirely: it restores optimal nervous system function.
Think of it like this: if your nervous system is a thermostat stuck at 95 degrees (high alert), most treatments either:
- Give you ice packs to cool down temporarily (symptom relief)
- Teach you to tolerate the heat better (coping strategies)
We recalibrate the thermostat so it functions at the right temperature automatically—without constant intervention, willpower, or medication.
The science: What happens when your nervous system gets stuck
Your autonomic nervous system (ANS) has two modes:
Sympathetic nervous system (Fight-or-flight)
Activation purpose: Survival in the face of immediate threat
What it does: → Increases heart rate and blood pressure
→ Diverts blood from digestion to muscles
→ Dilates pupils for better vision
→ Releases cortisol and adrenaline
→ Heightens pain sensitivity
→ Suppresses immune function
→ Inhibits sleep and recovery
→ Shuts down non-essential systems (digestion, reproduction, repair)
When it’s useful: Escaping actual danger, performing under pressure for short periods
When it’s problematic: Staying activated chronically due to ongoing stress, trauma, or illness
Parasympathetic nervous system (Rest-and-digest)
Activation purpose: Recovery, repair, restoration, growth
What it does: → Slows heart rate
→ Lowers blood pressure
→ Promotes digestion and nutrient absorption
→ Reduces inflammation
→ Enables deep sleep and REM cycles
→ Supports tissue repair and immune function
→ Regulates mood through vagus nerve signaling
→ Allows for connection, creativity, calm
When it’s useful: Most of the time—your body should spend the majority of its time here
When it’s missing: Chronic stress, trauma, illness, or prolonged sympathetic activation prevents access to this state
The problem: Sympathetic dominance
In a healthy nervous system, you flow between these states appropriately:
- Sympathetic activation when you need to perform, respond to challenges, or handle stress
- Quick return to parasympathetic for recovery, digestion, sleep, and restoration
Under chronic stress, trauma, or prolonged illness, the nervous system gets stuck in sympathetic dominance. The vagus nerve (your main parasympathetic pathway) becomes underactive. You develop what researchers call autonomic dysfunction or dysautonomia.
The symptoms?
- Anxiety that won’t shut off (even when there’s no real threat)
- Insomnia (your body won’t allow deep sleep because it’s still on alert)
- Chronic pain (nervous system amplifying danger signals)
- Digestive issues (digestion requires parasympathetic mode)
- Hormonal imbalances (HPA axis dysregulation)
- Brain fog and poor concentration
- Immune dysfunction (getting sick frequently)
- Emotional reactivity (quick to anger, easily overwhelmed)
Sound familiar?
This isn’t a character flaw. It’s not “just in your head.” It’s a measurable physiological state—and it’s reversible.
The Chinese Medicine Understanding: Shen Disturbance and Qi Dysregulation
While Western medicine focuses on the autonomic nervous system, Traditional Chinese Medicine has been describing these patterns for thousands of years.
The Shen (Spirit/Mind)
In Chinese Medicine, the Shen represents consciousness, mental clarity, emotional balance, and the ability to rest. It “resides” in the Heart.
When Shen is calm and anchored: ✓ Clear thinking
✓ Emotional stability
✓ Restful sleep
✓ Appropriate responses to stress
✓ Feeling present and grounded
When Shen is disturbed: → Anxiety, racing thoughts
→ Insomnia (mind won’t settle)
→ Easily startled or frightened
→ Emotional lability (crying easily, irritability)
→ Poor memory and concentration
→ Feeling “ungrounded” or disconnected
What disturbs the Shen?
- Prolonged stress and overwork
- Emotional trauma
- Blood or Yin deficiency (not enough substance to anchor the Shen)
- Excess Heat rising to the Heart
- Phlegm or Dampness misting the Heart
Common TCM Patterns in Nervous System Dysregulation
1. Heart Blood Deficiency
- Palpitations, anxiety
- Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep)
- Vivid dreams or nightmares
- Poor memory
- Pale complexion, dizziness
Western correlation: Overactive amygdala, low GABA, inadequate parasympathetic activity
2. Liver Qi Stagnation
- Irritability, mood swings
- Chest or rib tightness
- Digestive issues that worsen with stress
- PMS, hormonal issues
- Tension headaches
Western correlation: Sympathetic overdrive, high cortisol, HPA axis dysregulation
3. Kidney Yin Deficiency
- Night sweats, hot flashes
- Insomnia (waking at 3-5 AM)
- Anxiety with restlessness
- Tinnitus, dizziness
- Lower back pain
Western correlation: Depleted stress reserves, dysregulated cortisol rhythm, adrenal dysfunction
4. Phlegm Misting the Heart
- Mental fog, confusion
- Feeling “heavy” or cloudy
- Depression with lethargy
- Difficulty focusing
- Thick tongue coating
Western correlation: Neuroinflammation, poor blood-brain barrier function, metabolic dysfunction
5. Heart-Kidney Disharmony
- Insomnia with palpitations
- Anxiety with exhaustion
- Waking at 3 AM unable to return to sleep
- Feeling “wired but tired”
Western correlation: HPA axis dysregulation, circadian rhythm disruption
These patterns guide our treatment approach—we don’t just treat “anxiety” generically. We treat YOUR specific pattern of imbalance.
The Nervous System Reset Protocol: How It Works
Our protocol has four integrated phases:
PHASE 1: Assessment & Pattern Recognition
We use both Western and Eastern diagnostic tools to get the complete picture.
Western Assessment:
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Testing:
The gold standard for measuring nervous system health. HRV measures the variation in time between heartbeats—a direct reflection of autonomic balance.
- High HRV = healthy vagal tone = nervous system flexibility and resilience
- Low HRV = poor vagal tone = stuck in sympathetic mode
We measure your HRV before treatment and track changes throughout the protocol. This gives us objective data showing nervous system improvement.
Symptom Questionnaires:
- Anxiety severity and triggers
- Sleep quality and architecture
- Pain levels and patterns
- Digestive function
- Energy levels
- Hormonal symptoms
Timeline Mapping:
- When symptoms started
- Major stressors, trauma, or illness preceding symptoms
- What makes symptoms better or worse
- Previous treatments and their effects
Lab Review (if available): We review any existing labs (cortisol, thyroid, inflammation markers) to rule out other conditions and understand your physiology.
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis:
Pulse Diagnosis:
Your pulse reveals the state of Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang, and organ systems. We can feel:
- Strength or weakness of various systems
- Whether you’re in excess or deficiency
- Heat, Cold, Dampness, Dryness
- The quality of your nervous system state (wiry pulse = Liver Qi stagnation = stress)
Tongue Diagnosis:
Your tongue is a map of your internal landscape:
- Color reveals Blood and Qi status
- Coating shows digestive function and pathogenic factors (Dampness, Heat, Cold)
- Shape indicates deficiency or excess patterns
- Cracks or trembling reveal Yin deficiency or internal Wind
Pattern Differentiation:
We identify your primary TCM pattern (or combination of patterns) causing nervous system dysregulation. This determines point selection and herbal formula.
This comprehensive assessment gives us:
- Measurable baseline data (HRV, symptoms)
- Understanding of WHERE your nervous system is stuck
- Your unique TCM pattern guiding treatment
- Clear markers to track progress
PHASE 2: Vagus Nerve Activation
The vagus nerve is your body’s built-in reset button. It controls:
- 75% of parasympathetic nerve fibers in your body
- Heart rate and blood pressure regulation
- Digestion and gut motility
- Inflammation through the “inflammatory reflex”
- Emotional regulation and stress resilience
- Communication between gut and brain
Low vagal tone = chronic stress, anxiety, inflammation, pain, poor sleep.
We activate the vagus nerve through:
Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture:
The ear contains a direct branch of the vagus nerve (the auricular branch). Stimulating specific ear points immediately improves HRV and shifts you into parasympathetic mode.
Key ear points:
- Shen Men (Spirit Gate): Calms anxiety, reduces stress
- Sympathetic Point: Balances autonomic nervous system
- Heart Point: Regulates heart rhythm, calms palpitations
- Kidney Point: Supports adrenal function, reduces fear
Research shows auricular acupuncture:
- Reduces anxiety scores by 40-50%
- Improves sleep quality
- Lowers pain sensitivity
- Decreases cortisol levels
- Improves HRV within minutes
Body Acupuncture Points:
Specific points have been shown in research to activate vagal pathways:
PC6 (Neiguan – “Inner Gate”):
- Located on the inner forearm
- Calms anxiety, regulates heart rhythm
- Reduces nausea and digestive upset
- Opens the chest and diaphragm
- Studies show it increases vagal tone and HRV
HT7 (Shenmen – “Spirit Gate”):
- Located on the wrist
- Directly calms the Heart and Shen
- Reduces anxiety and insomnia
- Anchors the spirit
- Research shows sedative and anti-anxiety effects
ST36 (Zusanli – “Leg Three Miles”):
- Located below the knee
- Tonifies Qi and energy
- Improves digestion
- Activates parasympathetic response
- Shown to increase HRV and reduce inflammation
CV17 (Danzhong – “Chest Center”):
- Located on the sternum
- Opens the chest, regulates Qi
- Calms the Heart
- Releases emotional holding patterns
- Important for anxiety, grief, chest tightness
GV20 (Baihui – “Hundred Convergences”):
- Located at the crown of the head
- Calms the Shen, clears the mind
- Lifts mood, reduces brain fog
- Regulates autonomic nervous system
Yin Tang (Hall of Impression):
- Located between the eyebrows (third eye)
- Powerfully calming
- Reduces anxiety and insomnia
- Regulates the nervous system
- Often called the “natural Xanax” point
Breathwork Integration:
We teach diaphragmatic breathing techniques that stimulate vagal tone.
The 4-7-8 Breath (Relaxing Breath):
- Inhale through nose for 4 counts
- Hold for 7 counts
- Exhale through mouth for 8 counts
- Repeat 4-8 times
Research shows slow, deep breathing (4-6 breaths per minute) improves HRV within minutes and shifts autonomic balance toward parasympathetic.
Physiological Sigh (Stanford Study):
- Deep inhale through nose
- Quick second inhale at the top (fully fills lungs)
- Long, slow exhale through mouth
This breathing pattern was shown to reduce stress faster than meditation, box breathing, or standard deep breathing.
PHASE 3: Nervous System Retraining
One acupuncture session opens the door. Consistent treatment teaches your nervous system a new baseline.
Neuroplasticity (your brain’s ability to rewire) requires repetition. Each session reinforces the parasympathetic response until it becomes your new default.
Treatment Frequency:
Acute Phase (Weeks 1-4): 2x per week
- Intensive nervous system recalibration
- Breaking the pattern of sympathetic dominance
- Teaching your body what “calm” feels like again
Active Phase (Weeks 5-12): 1x per week
- Reinforcing new patterns
- Deepening nervous system resilience
- Fine-tuning based on progress
Maintenance Phase: Every 2-4 weeks
- Sustaining optimal function
- Preventing regression during high-stress periods
- Ongoing support as life demands fluctuate
What we treat each session:
Acupuncture Points: Customized based on YOUR pattern
- Vagus nerve activation points (auricular + body)
- Pattern-specific points (nourish Blood, smooth Liver Qi, anchor Shen, etc.)
- Symptom-specific points (for pain, insomnia, anxiety, digestion)
Trigger Point Release: For somatic stress storage When stress gets “stuck” in your body, it creates myofascial trigger points—hyperirritable spots in muscles that refer pain and perpetuate nervous system dysregulation. We release these through precise needling.
Herbal Medicine: Customized to your TCM pattern
- Heart Blood deficiency: Suan Zao Ren Tang (Sour Jujube Decoction)
- Liver Qi stagnation: Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer)
- Kidney Yin deficiency: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Ingredient Rehmannia)
- Phlegm misting Heart: Wen Dan Tang (Warm the Gallbladder Decoction)
These formulas have centuries of clinical use and are now being validated by modern research showing they:
- Regulate neurotransmitters (GABA, serotonin, dopamine)
- Reduce cortisol
- Improve sleep architecture
- Reduce inflammation
- Support HPA axis function
Nutritional Protocols: Supporting nervous system health
- Blood sugar stabilization (prevents cortisol spikes)
- Anti-inflammatory foods (reduce neuroinflammation)
- Nutrient density (your nervous system needs raw materials to heal)
- Adaptogens and supplements matched to your needs
PHASE 4: Sustainable Resilience
The goal isn’t dependence on treatment. It’s restoring your nervous system’s natural ability to regulate itself.
By the end of the protocol, patients report:
Sleep Improvements:
- Falling asleep within 20 minutes (vs. lying awake for hours)
- Staying asleep through the night
- Waking feeling rested
- Dreams becoming less intense or anxious
Anxiety Reduction:
- Baseline anxiety significantly decreased or resolved
- Ability to handle stressors without falling apart
- Less rumination and catastrophizing
- Emotional reactivity reduced
- Feeling more present and grounded
Pain Reduction:
- Pain levels decreased by 50-80%
- Fewer flare-ups
- Improved function and mobility
- Less reliance on pain medications
Digestive Improvements:
- Bloating and gas reduced
- Bowel movements regular
- Less food sensitivity
- Better energy after meals
Energy & Mental Clarity:
- Sustained energy throughout the day
- No more 2 PM crashes
- Clearer thinking, better concentration
- Improved mood stability
Stress Resilience:
- Bouncing back quickly from stressors (vs. staying activated for days)
- Better tolerance for life’s challenges
- Feeling like “myself again”
- Capacity to handle what life brings without breaking down
The Research Supporting Our Approach
Heart Rate Variability (HRV):
Multiple studies show acupuncture significantly improves HRV—a direct measure of vagal tone and autonomic balance.
- Study in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2013): Acupuncture at PC6 increased HRV and shifted autonomic balance toward parasympathetic.
- Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2012): Auricular acupuncture improved HRV in stressed healthcare workers.
Anxiety and PTSD:
Research published in Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies found acupuncture reduced anxiety scores by 40-50% and improved sleep quality in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.
A systematic review in Depression and Anxiety (2018) concluded acupuncture is effective for anxiety disorders, with effects comparable to cognitive behavioral therapy.
Chronic Pain:
- Acupuncture modulates pain processing in the brain (visible on fMRI scans)
- Releases endogenous opioids (your body’s natural painkillers)
- Reduces central sensitization—the nervous system amplification that causes chronic pain
The American College of Physicians now recommends acupuncture as a first-line treatment for chronic low back pain before medication.
Inflammatory Regulation:
Studies show acupuncture activates the vagus nerve’s “inflammatory reflex,” reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha) that drive chronic disease.
Research in Nature Medicine (2014) demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation reduces systemic inflammation through cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathways.
Cortisol Regulation:
Research demonstrates acupuncture lowers elevated cortisol and normalizes HPA axis function in chronically stressed individuals.
A study in Stress journal (2018) showed regular acupuncture reduced cortisol awakening response and improved stress resilience.
Sleep Architecture:
Acupuncture has been shown to:
- Increase natural melatonin production
- Improve sleep quality and duration
- Enhance deep sleep and REM cycles
- Regulate circadian rhythm genes
A meta-analysis in Sleep Medicine Reviews (2019) concluded acupuncture is effective for insomnia, with sustained benefits.
Case Study: Sarah’s Nervous System Reset
Presenting Issues:
- Severe anxiety with daily panic attacks (for 2+ years)
- Insomnia (taking 2+ hours to fall asleep, waking at 3 AM)
- Chronic neck and shoulder pain
- IBS with bloating and unpredictable bowel movements
- Brain fog affecting work performance
- Feeling “wired but tired” constantly
Previous Treatments:
- SSRIs (helped slightly but side effects were intolerable)
- Benzodiazepines (worked but created dependency concerns)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (helpful for coping but symptoms persisted)
- Sleep medications (caused morning grogginess)
- Physical therapy for pain (temporary relief only)
Medical Testing: All labs “normal”—thyroid, hormones, CBC, metabolic panel, cardiac workup
Our Diagnosis:
Western Assessment:
- HRV: Severely low (score 28/100)—indicating poor vagal tone and sympathetic dominance
- Autonomic dysfunction with HPA axis dysregulation
- Central sensitization contributing to pain
- Gut-brain axis dysfunction
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis:
- Primary pattern: Liver Qi stagnation with Heart Blood deficiency
- Secondary pattern: Spleen Qi deficiency
- Pulse: Wiry (Liver), Thin (Blood deficiency), Weak in Spleen position
- Tongue: Pale body with thin coating, slight tremor
This pattern explained everything:
- Liver Qi stagnation → anxiety, irritability, IBS, muscle tension
- Heart Blood deficiency → insomnia, palpitations, poor concentration
- Spleen Qi deficiency → fatigue after eating, loose stools, brain fog
Nervous System Reset Protocol Treatment (12 Weeks):
Phase 1-2: Acute Intensive (Weeks 1-4)
Acupuncture: 2x per week
- Vagus nerve activation: Auricular Shen Men, Sympathetic point, PC6, HT7
- Smooth Liver Qi: LV3, GB34, LV8
- Nourish Heart Blood: HT7, SP6, ST36, BL15, BL17
- Calm Shen: Yin Tang, GV20, HT7
- Release neck/shoulder tension: GB21, SI11, BL10, trigger point needling
Herbal Formula: Modified Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer) to smooth Liver Qi + additions from Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) to nourish Heart-Spleen Blood
Taken 2x daily
Nutritional Protocol:
- Blood sugar stabilization: protein + healthy fat breakfast, no coffee on empty stomach
- Anti-inflammatory diet: eliminated gluten, dairy, processed foods temporarily
- Warm, cooked foods to support Spleen Qi
- Bone broth, dark leafy greens, beets (Blood-nourishing foods)
Supplements:
- Magnesium glycinate 400mg before bed (calming, sleep support)
- L-theanine 200mg 2x daily (reduces anxiety without sedation)
- Omega-3s 2000mg daily (anti-inflammatory, supports neurotransmitters)
- B-complex (nervous system support)
Lifestyle Changes:
- Morning sunlight exposure (anchors circadian rhythm)
- Evening wind-down routine (dim lights, no screens 1 hour before bed, warm bath)
- Breathwork practice: 4-7-8 breathing before bed, physiological sighs during the day when stressed
- Reduced caffeine to mornings only, cut alcohol
Phase 3: Active Reinforcement (Weeks 5-12)
Acupuncture: 1x per week
- Continued vagus nerve activation
- Pattern-specific treatment as symptoms evolved
- Adjusted points based on progress
Herbal Formula: Continued with slight modifications as patterns shifted
Continued Protocols: Maintained nutritional and lifestyle changes
Results After 12 Weeks:
Anxiety & Panic:
- Panic attacks reduced from daily to 1-2 per month (mild)
- Baseline anxiety decreased by 70-80%
- Able to handle stressors without spiraling
- Feeling emotionally stable and grounded
Sleep:
- Falling asleep within 30 minutes most nights
- Sleeping through the night 5-6 nights per week
- Waking feeling rested for the first time in years
- Dreams less intense and anxious
Pain:
- Neck and shoulder pain reduced by 70%
- No longer waking with pain
- Improved range of motion
Digestion:
- Bloating 80% resolved
- Bowel movements regular and predictable
- Can eat wider variety of foods without reaction
Energy & Mental Clarity:
- Brain fog completely resolved
- Sustained energy throughout the day
- Work performance significantly improved
HRV:
- Improved from 28 (poor) to 68 (good range)
- Objective proof of nervous system regulation
Medications:
- Off benzodiazepines completely
- Reduced SSRI dose by 50% with MD oversight (working toward discontinuation)
Sarah’s Words:
“I spent two years being told my anxiety was ‘just stress’ or ‘all in my head.’ Doctors offered pills but no real answers. Angela was the first person who explained what was actually wrong—my nervous system was stuck—and showed me how to fix it. I feel like myself again. I didn’t think that was possible.”
Maintenance:
Sarah now comes in every 3-4 weeks for maintenance treatment. She’s learned to recognize early signs of nervous system dysregulation and has tools to address them before they spiral. She continues herbs during high-stress periods and maintains her lifestyle protocols.
Who Benefits from the Nervous System Reset Protocol?
This protocol is designed for:
Chronic Anxiety & Panic Disorders
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic attacks
- Social anxiety
- PTSD and trauma-related anxiety
- Health anxiety
- Worry and rumination
Insomnia & Sleep Disorders
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking at 3 AM unable to return to sleep
- Light, unrefreshing sleep
- Nightmares or anxiety dreams
- Circadian rhythm disruption
Chronic Pain Conditions
- Back pain, neck pain
- Migraines and tension headaches
- Fibromyalgia
- Nerve pain (neuropathy)
- TMJ and jaw pain
- Pain with no clear structural cause
Digestive Issues Linked to Stress
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Bloating and gas
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Reflux and heartburn
- Food sensitivities that developed suddenly
- Poor appetite or nausea
Hormonal Imbalances Driven by HPA Axis Dysfunction
- Irregular cycles or absent periods
- Severe PMS or PMDD
- Perimenopausal symptoms worsened by stress
- Thyroid issues related to stress
- Infertility with stress component
Burnout & Chronic Fatigue
- Adrenal dysfunction
- Exhaustion despite rest
- “Wired but tired”
- Difficulty recovering from stress
- Loss of resilience
Anyone Stuck in “Fight-or-Flight”
- Can’t relax no matter what you try
- Feeling on edge constantly
- Emotional reactivity
- Racing thoughts
- Hypervigilance
- Easily startled
Why Calm San Diego?
Calm San Diego offers the Nervous System Reset Protocol—a proprietary system that makes competition irrelevant.
We’re not just another acupuncture clinic. We’re nervous system specialists who use acupuncture as our primary tool, backed by modern neuroscience and measurable outcomes.
What sets us apart:
Tracking Your Results:
We track nervous system changes objectively. You’re not guessing if it’s working—you can see the data.
Research-Backed Protocols:
Not generic “relaxation” treatments. Evidence-based point selection and treatment plans.
Integration of East & West:
Chinese Medicine wisdom meets cutting-edge neuroscience. You get the best of both worlds.
Customized Treatment:
Based on YOUR unique pattern, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Clear Expectations:
We tell you upfront what the timeline looks like, what to expect, and how we measure progress.
Trauma-Informed Care:
We understand that nervous system dysregulation often has roots in trauma. Our approach is gentle, safe, and respects your pace.
Whole-System Support:
Acupuncture + herbs + nutrition + lifestyle protocols + supplement guidance. We address all the factors affecting your nervous system.
Ready to Reset Your Nervous System?
If you’re tired of managing symptoms and ready to address the root cause, we’re here.
You don’t have to live in survival mode. Your nervous system isn’t broken—it’s just been running the wrong program.
And programs can be rewritten.
📍 Calm San Diego
Located in San Diego, CA
