Mental Well-Being

Mental Well-Being

Chinese Medicine may help with:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Tension
  • Panic Attack
  • Insomnia
  • OCD

How Does Acupuncture Help Depression?

Acupuncture is beneficial for depression because of its ability to regulate energy flow throughout the body, and its ability to stimulate the production of endorphins, which are essential for mental health and wellbeing.

Endorphins are “feel good” chemicals released in the brain. They are important for our ability to respond appropriately to physical and emotional stimuli like digestive function, blood pressure, pain and heart rate.

Acupuncture is especially useful in the treatment of depression in pregnant women, who may have fewer medical treatment options available to them.

Acupuncture may be used on its own or in combination with other forms of treatment such as cognitive behavioural therapy and / or medications in order to treat the symptoms of depression.

Using Acupuncture In The Treatment Of Anxiety

Anxiety is a debilitating mental health disorder that can compromise a person’s quality of life. Managing anxiety can make day-to-day life very difficult – and acupuncture offers a safe alternative without the side effects caused by a number of medications used to treat it.

The human body manages stress through a mechanism called heart rate variability (HRV). Our bodies manage our heart rates in response to the environments around us, and having a higher HRV is associated with better health and stress coping ability.

Acupuncture can help the body’s ability to deal with stress by improving its HRV.

When our brain is under stress, we also release neurochemicals. Acupuncture has been found to calm the production of neurochemicals down.

Considering Acupuncture For Depression And Anxiety

Different types of medication can be prescribed for depression and anxiety but not all patients respond favourably to the medication. In some patients the benefits of antidepressants do not outweigh the side effects. The most common side effects include sedation, memory difficulties and sleep disturbances. For patients who do respond to medication it can take a while to find the correct dosage.

Many patients find they can manage the symptoms of anxiety and depression through an integrated approach that may include acupuncture, CBT and or medication.

Why We Believe Acupuncture Is An Effective Treatment For Anxiety And Depression

Acupuncture stimulates the body’s own self-healing process and can be used effectively to manage a range of health conditions. It is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been used for more than 3000 years.

Acupuncture has proven beneficial for the nervous system, immune and endocrine systems. Through stimulating the different systems, patients can experience pain relief, sleep improvements, improved digestion and a heightened sense of wellbeing.

More evidence backed studies are needed to evaluate just how effective acupuncture can be at managing anxiety and depression. To date, the studies that have been conducted have had small sample sizes and have not always provided conclusive results.

How Many Treatments Will You Need?

Each person is different and the number of treatments or length of treatment time will differ between patients. Your practitioner will discuss this with you, once you have had one treatment. Your treatment duration will also depend on any other forms of treatment you may be having.

The idea of treatment is to reach a stage of improvement in a few sessions that close together, and then to scale your sessions down to a smaller number for maintenance.

It is important to note that you should always consult your healthcare practitioner before making any decisions about medication, whether you are changing your dose or wanting to come off medication.

Both anxiety and depression can severely interfere with a person’s quality of life, and millions of people are seeking solutions to help them to manage these conditions. Many of them are resistant to conventional treatment approaches. Acupuncture offers people a new treatment avenue to explore, in a bid to find a solution that makes daily life more manageable.

While acupuncture might not seem like everyone’s cup of tea at first glance, a number of patients find success simply because they have exhausted all other options.

If you are ready for a second opinion about acupuncture for depression and anxiety, it is time to speak to a professional. Don’t suffer in silence, please contact us for an appointment: (03) 9807 8904

References:

1. Steven K.H.Aung et al.(2013) Traditional Chinese Medicine as a Basis for Treating Psychiatric Disorders: A Review of Theory with Illustrative Cases. Medical Acupuncture. 2013 Dec, 25(6) 398-406. Retrieve from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3870484/

2. Cathy Wong(2021) Emotions and Organs Are Connected in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Retireved from

https://www.verywellmind.com/emotions-in-traditional-chinese-medicine-88196