Stress and burnout treatment in Wokingham, Berkshire
Chronic stress and burnout are increasingly common in today's demanding world. Whether it is relentless work pressure, caring responsibilities, health worries or major life changes, prolonged stress takes a real toll on your body and mind. At the Wokingham Therapy Clinic, we offer a range of evidence-based therapies to help you restore balance, energy and resilience.
On this page
- About stress and burnout
- Symptoms
- The difference between stress and burnout
- How we treat stress and burnout
- Research and evidence
- Self-help advice
- Our acupuncturist
1. About stress and burnout
Stress is the body's natural response to pressure – useful in short bursts, but harmful when it becomes chronic. When the stress response is activated over long periods without adequate recovery, it can lead to burnout: a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion.
Burnout was recognised by the World Health Organisation in 2019 as an occupational phenomenon characterised by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one's job and reduced professional efficacy. However, burnout can affect anyone facing sustained demands, not just those in paid work.
2. Symptoms
Physical symptoms
- Persistent fatigue and low energy
- Sleep disturbance – insomnia or non-restorative sleep
- Tension headaches and migraines
- Muscle tension, particularly in the neck and shoulders
- Digestive problems
- Frequent colds and infections
- High blood pressure and palpitations
- Changes in appetite or weight
Emotional and cognitive symptoms
- Anxiety, irritability and mood swings
- Feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope
- Loss of motivation and enthusiasm
- Cynicism and detachment
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Reduced performance at work or at home
- Feelings of ineffectiveness
3. The difference between stress and burnout
While stress and burnout are related, they are not the same. Stress involves too much pressure in the short term and is usually accompanied by a sense of urgency and over-engagement. Burnout, by contrast, is characterised by disengagement, exhaustion and a loss of meaning and motivation. Burnout develops when chronic stress is not adequately addressed, and it typically takes longer to recover from.
4. How we treat stress and burnout
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is particularly effective for stress-related symptoms. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the body's "rest and digest" mode), lowers cortisol levels and promotes a deep sense of calm. Most patients describe feeling profoundly relaxed after a session.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you identify the thought patterns and behaviours that maintain stress, and develop practical strategies for managing pressure and setting realistic expectations.
Counselling
Counselling provides a supportive space to explore the underlying causes of your stress or burnout, whether these are work-related, relational or personal.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy uses deep relaxation and focused awareness to help reduce stress responses and reframe unhelpful patterns.
Massage and sound therapy
Massage and sound therapy release physical tension and activate the relaxation response, making them excellent complements to talking therapies.
Reiki
Reiki offers a gentle, calming experience that many people find deeply restorative during periods of stress.
5. Research and evidence
Systematic reviews have shown that acupuncture significantly reduces perceived stress and lowers cortisol levels. CBT-based stress management interventions are supported by extensive evidence across both clinical and workplace settings. Mind-body therapies including massage, meditation and acupuncture are recommended by the NHS as part of a holistic approach to managing stress.
6. Self-help advice
- Identify and, where possible, reduce the sources of stress in your life
- Set realistic boundaries around work and commitments
- Protect time for rest, hobbies and relationships
- Prioritise sleep and a consistent bedtime routine
- Exercise regularly – even 20 minutes of walking makes a difference
- Limit caffeine and alcohol, both of which can worsen stress symptoms
- Practise breathing exercises, meditation or mindfulness
- Spend time in nature
- Speak to someone you trust
Our acupuncturist
Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto BM (Beijing), BSc (Hons) TCM, MBAcC, MRCHM
Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto has been practising acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for over 25 years. He is passionate about empowering people with the ancient knowledge of Chinese medicine through lifestyle and diet.
Dr (TCM) D'Alberto graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine from Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China – a full-time, five-year degree programme that included six months of clinical internship at two of the largest hospitals in Beijing.
Dr (TCM) D'Alberto practises acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping from his own acupuncture clinic in Wokingham. He is a member of the British Acupuncture Council and practises traditional Chinese acupuncture.
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