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Depression and Acupuncture
ShareTraditional Eastern medical practices such as acupuncture have long been used in the East to unblock stagnant energy in the body that may cause the symptoms of conditions such as depression. Today, the depressed of western society are increasingly on the search for more natural alternatives to anti-depressant medications offered by western doctors. Acupuncture adds value here as an effective alternative treatment for depression and its symptoms. Read on to find out more.
What is Depression?
Depression, often referred to as clinical depression, is a mental illness that entails an overwhelming sense of sadness, loss and hopelessness. Bouts of the condition may span from weeks to years, and may sometimes cause the sufferer to despair so greatly they no longer want to live.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practice of using thin needles on certain points on the skin around the body to stimulate and restore energy flow along the meridians. The needles may vary in length and number, and are traditionally left on the body between 20-60 minutes.
How Does Acupuncture Help Depression?
Whilst TCM does not recognise depression as a disease in itself, it aims to heal the root cause of the depression by addressing any internal imbalances caused by external stress. When left untreated, such stress can block energy flow along the meridians of the body, which itself depletes brain Serotonin levels resulting in symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Depression
Some of the benefits of using Acupuncture to treat depression include:
- Increased feels of well-being and a lifted overall mood.
- Increased energy, strength and vitality crucial to a recovering Depression patient.
- A strengthened overall immune system.
- Reduced stress levels.
- Increased circulation.
- Eliminates pain.
- May assist with insomnia and other sleep issues.
- May regulate the appetite.
- No side effects, drug dependence or addiction.
- Fast results often seen within a few weeks of therapy.
- Long term cost reduction when compared to anti-depressant drugs.
If you would like more information on how acupuncture may help depression, please speak to a professional acupuncturist or TCM practitioner.
FInd out about other effective natural depression treatments.
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