Can Acupuncture Help Alleviate Depression?
By April Joy
Acupuncture is an alternative treatment that involves the insertion of thin needles into some parts of the body. This is done in the belief that it can help establish a balanced bodily energy. When balance is achieved, the person can feel relief from whatever ailments she feels.
The practice of acupuncture can be traced back to 2,500 years ago. It is a component of traditional Chinese medicine and has been highly popular in eastern countries. Today, it is slowly getting the attention of alternative medical practitioners in the western part of the world.
How Acupuncture Works
According to traditional Chinese medicine, a person’s health is affected by the harmony and balance between Yin and Yang, which represent the energy that flows through the body called Qi. When the flow of energy in the body is hampered, you may suffer from some health issues.
By inserting thin needles on some target points in the body, energy can flow smoothly. This helps establish balance between the Yin and Yang, giving a person a sense of well-being and setting him free of whatever disease or ailment he is suffering from.
When you seek the help of an acupuncturist, his first step is asking questions about the symptoms you have. Your answers can help him determine if there is an imbalance between the Yin and Yang and in which parts of your body the imbalance occurs.
Based on Chinese belief, a weak Yin can cause diarrhea while a deficient Yang can make you suffer from inflammation and infection.
Acupuncture practitioners divide the body into parts called the meridians. The needles are inserted into the part that hurts. Once the needles are inserted, energy can flow smoothly. This results in a balanced Yin and Yang, which can lead to healing of the ailment.
Acupuncture and Depression
Aside from healing pains in the body, acupuncture has been found out to effectively alleviate problems related to the mind such as depression. Most people are now leading a busy and stressful lifestyle. Those that cannot cope with the pressure from these stressors can become depressed.
A person that suffers from this malady may feel alone in the world. He might think that his life is useless and that no one cares for him anymore. This kind of person might resort to harming himself or committing suicide.
Several medical treatments for depression have been invented. However, some of them work slowly or may have serious side effects. If you are depressed and you are seeking fast relief without suffering from side effects, visit the Chinese acupuncture and herb specialist clinic to alleviate your symptoms.
Alleviating Depression
There are several ways that acupuncture can alleviate depression. One way is by establishing the balance in the flow of energy in your body. This is done by inserting thin needles into the points of the body that are painful or aching. These parts are believed to be the areas where energy flow is blocked.
By applying acupuncture, the blocked parts are opened, allowing the smooth flow of energy.
Acupuncture is believed to stimulate activity in the insula. This is the region of the brain that controls homeostasis or the stable balance among interdependent parts of the body.
The insula also affects an individual’s personal experiences, perceptions, and self-awareness. A healthy and well-functioning insula promotes positive feeling, improves libido, and aids in making the right decisions, thereby, alleviating depression.
If you’re experiencing pains and aches in your body, getting acupuncture treatment can reduce or eradicate the pain. Based on traditional Chinese medicine, various aches and pains in the body are felt when the flow of energy in the body is blocked. By inserting acupuncture needles, energy can freely move.
A person who is free from aches or pains can lead a happy and stress-free life, free from depression.
When the needles are inserted into your skin by your acupuncturist, your body releases endorphins. These hormones work like painkillers.
Once the level of endorphins is high, the pain cannot last long. Endorphins also keep your body and mind healthy. This can prevent depression from setting in.
Acupuncture can target several parts of the body. This means that you can have a single treatment for several ailments. If you are suffering from stomach pain, headache, anxiety, allergic asthma, you can see an acupuncturist and get well from all those health issues.
It deals with depression without the adverse side effects. People that take antidepressants may suffer from sexual dysfunction and reduced libido, irritation, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, dizziness, and many other health issues that cause you more problems. However, acupuncture treatment does not bring these side-effects.
Depression can make your life miserable. There are several drugs that can help you get rid of it but you may suffer from side-effects that can adversely affect your daily life.
For a safe way of alleviating depression and avoiding the side effects of medical treatments, give acupuncture a try.
Author Bio
April Joy is with Freedom Chinese Medicine
About The Author
I agree that there may be other treatments to combat depression and that they aren’t invasive. In my case, I decided to fight depression through TMS treatment. Because it doesn’t have great side effects as it can happen through the abuse of pills.