Can Acupuncture Really Help with Depression?

One condition that I am asked about constantly is how acupuncture and TCM can help in treating depression.

What's Depression Exactly?

Now, what are the indicators of depression? Let's quickly discuss this, before we get into Chinese medicine's view of this condition. Depression is a mood disorder that results in state of "low" mood and is sometimes identified by an aversion to daily activity. The psychological and physical signs of depression can affect not just the thoughts and emotions of a person but also their physical state of wellbeing.

It is common for those afflicted with depression to show a wide range of symptoms, including: insomnia, anxiousness, difficulty concentrating, aches and pains in the body, rapid weight gain or loss, poor memory, fatigue, digestion-related problems and in some cases a complete lack of interest in doing the things they used to enjoy doing. In extreme cases of depression, suicide may be considered or attempted.

How is Depression Customarily Treated?

Today, the common treatments for depression are psychotherapy and anti-depressant drugs. Sadly, it is common for drugs to be prescribed with no regard for the precise symptoms of the depressed individual.

So, What about Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to Treat Depression?

On the other hand, Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches the issue of depression from a distinctly different view point. TCM does not pile all these symptoms together and classify it as "depression" or as just one disease for that matter. We attempt to treat the specific symptoms possessed by every individual patient and do not believe there's a one-size-fits-all solution to this complicated disorder. Using a selection of TCM methods, including: Chinese herbs, acupuncture and energetic exercises, we strive to fix imbalances throughout the body and treat the exact symptoms that a patient is experiencing.

The purpose of acupuncture is to excite the body's energy flow, or Qi, and restore functionality. Though many consider acupuncture a preventative health care practice, studies have confirmed its ability in treating pain and other chronic health related conditions.

Since the late 1980s and early 1990s, there were numerous studies that suggest the treatment of depression with acupuncture is a practical choice. Including acupuncture has been shown to have a positive and holistic effect, especially when combined with herbal treatments and psychotherapy.