Experiences with Depression and Acupuncture

Depression is a very broad term that covers many different symptoms. One person may have anxiety, insomnia, negative thinking, while another feels lethargic, low energy and can't get motivated. Still others may cry all the time or just feel like exploding from stress. All of these get lumped together in Western Medicine, because there is only one medical treatment---antidepressants. In Chinese Medicine (of which Acupuncture is one part), we look at the individual's experience to determine the treatment. The symptoms are just one piece of the puzzle that we use to differentiate the underlying imbalance that is responsible for the patient's experience of "depression." I've had great results using Acupuncture to rebalance the system and improve many syndromes referred to as depression. My personal experience is that anxiety responds better to Acupuncture than apathetic depression. However, herbs can be added to strengthen the response in more difficult cases. Underlying issues, such as insomnia and digestive problems, must be addressed to get a full resolution. In my clinic we also use Amino Acid therapy in any kind of mood imbalance case. This fills in the gaps in cases where Acupuncture and Herbs can sometimes fail to fully solve the problem.

When my friends first recommended acupuncture as an alternative to anxiety medication and anti-depressants, my first reaction was skeptical to say the least. How is poking me with needles going to make me LESS anxious?? I wasn’t sure, but I did know that I didn’t want to be dependent on foreign chemicals for the rest of my life. So I tried it, and I was pleasantly surprised to say the least! I was really impressed at the vast amount of medical knowledge that the acupuncturist holds, and how they tailor each individual treatment not only to my physical symptoms, but to my emotional symptoms as well. My acupuncturist told me that many of these symptoms arrive because we are out of balance, and that is exactly how I felt, just out of it. I was out of everything in my life. She tailored my treatment to restoring the energetic balance in my body, and I would leave every session feeling clam, peaceful, and just grateful. I love love love that we were using the power of my body for healing, and not some medical grade narcotic. No matter what it is you are dealing with, I promise acupuncture can help.

I've tried acupuncture for many issues over the years, and depression is one of them. While the treatment didn't have immediate results, I definitely felt better over time (within a few weeks). The best part about this kind of treatment is that there were no negative side effects. I've noticed that a lot of people are hesitant to try acupuncture because of the needles; while it does take some getting used to, it's not painful, and the positive effects far outweigh any discomfort you may experience.

I would echo Peter Shark's observation that acupuncture works more reliably, or at least more promptly, for anxious/agitated depression than for low moods presenting as apathy and withdrawal. But another effect of acupuncture, beyond any alteration of mood, is its ability to bring greater harmony into the bodymind system. Sometimes what gets labelled as depression and behaviorally expressed as apathy is really a kind of rejection of grief and the ordinary pain of life. In particular when combined with meditation, acupuncture can make such states more tolerable, without necessarily decreasing the underlying sorrow.

Acupuncture

I started doing acupuncture for some acute back pain I was experiencing, but it wasn't long before I realize the back pain was really a symptom of my severe depression. Acupuncture not only helped with the immediate spastic pain I was experiencing, but I continued to work with my acupuncturist, and eventually correct many of the underlying imbalances contributing to my depression.

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Acupuncture, diet, Omega 3s and amino acids are the best non-pharmaceutical approach to depression. Acupuncture treatments alone also work really well to balance the body and raise the spirits.

Like Peter I use amino acid therapy along with acupuncture, diet and essential fatty acids (Omega 3s) to help people with depression and have seen excellent results in my clients. This approach eliminates dependence on pharmaceuticals and puts the client in charge. Many people today are looking for ways of dealing with depression without pharmaceuticals - please don't hesitate to work with an acupuncturist who is well versed in amino acid therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine!