How Can Acupuncture Help Those with Depression?

Used for more than 3000 years around the world to treat everything from stress to diabetes to chronic pain, acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of very thin needles into different points and depths in the body. Acupuncture can improve the flow of energy throughout the body as well as stimulate nerves and muscles to provide pain relief and boost the release of chemicals like serotonin that have a positive effect on mood. Acupuncture is often used in accordance with other forms of alternative medicine like massage, cupping, and herbal therapy. 

How does acupuncture help those with depression?

Tips on choosing an acupuncture provider 

Like many chronic conditions that can be treated with acupuncture, depression is a disorder that usually responds best to a multi-faceted approach that it tailored to each patient. Some may respond well to prescription medication alone while others need to make lifestyle changes in addition to utilizing alternative treatments. However, knowing that acupuncture can provide relief either on its own or in accordance with other treatments is important for those who are searching for answers.  

One in every four adults in the United States suffers from some type of mental health disorder. One of the most prevalent types of mental health disorder is depression. Characterized by symptoms that include feelings of sadness or hopelessness, chronic fatigue, apathy, changes in sleep patterns, lack of self-esteem, and loss of interest in or inability to perform daily activities, depression can have devastating effects on the sufferers’ relationships, career, and overall well-being.

While many find that counseling or prescription medications improve their symptoms, others are looking for different ways to treat their depression. Fortunately, alternative medicine can offer many sufferers hope. Used either alone or in addition to prescription medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes, alternative treatments like acupuncture can provide another treatment option.

If you suffer from depression and want to try acupuncture to help alleviate symptoms, it’s vital that you choose the right practitioner. Look for a clinic that offers other traditional Chinese medicine therapies like herbal medicine and cupping instead of one that offers med-spa type services.

You should also choose a clinic that has professional, experienced, and educated practitioners. Dr. Yueshan Hu, the main acupuncture practitioner at our clinics, has more than 20 years of experience and has eight years of alternative medicine education. He also has experience in conducting clinic trials to determine how patients respond to alternative medicine techniques and is internationally known as an authority in this field.

Finally, choose a clinic that has a proven track record of helping others who suffer from conditions similar to yours.

Depression can affect every part of your life. If you have tried other forms of therapy and they have not worked for you or if you are interested in exploring alternative methods of therapy, the experienced and caring staff at our clinic would like to help. Please reach out to talk with one of our practitioners or schedule a consultation today to see if acupuncture might be right for you. 

A holistic approach 

Many of those who practice alternative medicine believe that depression is often the result of energy blocks in the body. Acupuncture can successfully remove these blocks, restore energy flow, and reduce depressive symptoms. Acupuncture can also release endorphins and serotonin, both of which can reduce or alleviate symptoms of depression.

One recent study found that a form of acupuncture called DCEAS (dense cranial electroacupuncture stimulation) was a safe and effective treatment that could augment the efficacy of the early phases of SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) treatment. Another clinic study indicated that acupuncture could accelerate the response to SSRIs and prevent depression symptoms from worsening. 

What is acupuncture?

Authentic Chinese Acupuncture

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