Depression
What is Acupuncture For Depression?
Acupuncture is a widely practiced form of Chinese medicine that is highly effective for treating depression. It helps to ease the symptoms of depression and cure hormonal imbalance.
Depression Symptom Relief
Depression is an illness that includes the constant feeling of loss of interest or pleasure and sadness. There are several symptoms of depression may include :
- Tiredness or lack of energy
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
- Difficulty in sleeping or sleeping too much
- Not able to concentrate or decision-making is not possible
- Feeling guilt or worthlessness.
- Frustration or irritability.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Western medical acupunctur
The acupuncture practitioners follow the specific treatment while treating the patient suffering from depression. They used to insert the long, thin needle into the top layer of the patient’s skin. It simulates specific points of the body, and the needles inserted in the body are connected to patients’ negative emotions. The needles fix the blocked energy or imbalance in your body and influence the patient’s mind.
Specific acupuncture points correlate with particular functions. Treatment of acupuncture for depression helps improve the patient’s mental health and pleasure.
e (dry needling) is the use of acupuncture following a medical diagnosis. It involves stimulating sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles.
This results in the body producing natural substances, such as pain-relieving endorphins. These naturally released substances are responsible for the beneficial effects experienced with acupuncture.
A course in acupuncture is usually recommended because it can take a few sessions for you to see improvements.
Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”, flows through the body in channels called meridians. This life force is known as Qi (pronounced “chee”).
Practitioners traditionally use acupuncture and believe that when Qi does not flow freely through the body, this can cause illness. They also believe acupuncture can restore the flow of Qi, and so restore health.
Can Acupuncture Heal Depression?
What are other acupuncture techniques?
- Moxibustion (application of heat)
- Chinese massage (Tui Na)
- Exercise
- Diet
- Herbs
- Cupping (where a cup is applied to the skin, and the pressure in the cup is decreased, drawing the skin and muscles up into the cup).
What Alternative Treatments Are Available for Depression?
- Biofeedback
- Dietary supplements
- Relaxation
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Massage therapy
- Aromatherapy
- Chiropractic treatments
How To Get Acupuncture
Chinese Medicine practitioners believe that the energy that flows through the body qi. These qi disruptions can create imbalances in the body that lead to illness.
Acupuncture practitioners use needles that touch acupuncture points throughout the body. Hundreds of acupoints in the body, along with 14 major meridians. They are called the energy-carrying channels.
If you want to do acupuncture treatment, always go with an experienced licensed acupuncturist. Medical professionals also get some extra training to do acupuncture treatment
What to expect during acupuncture treatment
During the Acupuncture Treatment For Depression
Acupuncture points are situated in almost all areas of the body. Sometimes the appropriate point is to be removed from the area of your pain. An acupuncture professional will guide you regarding the treatment. Patients need to lie on a periodic table for this treatment. It generally involves :
NEEDLE MANIPULATION
NEEDLE INSERTION
NEEDLE REMOVAL
How Does Acupuncture Help Depression?
- Acupuncture can regulate energy flow throughout the body. It stimulates the production of essential endorphins for mental health and well-being. Endorphins Are nothing but the “feel good” chemicals released in the human brain.
- Acupuncture stimulates digestion function, improves blood pressure levels, reduces pain, and normalizes heart rates. It is a beneficial treatment for depression in pregnant women.
- It is used as a cognitive behavioral therapy on its own or in combination with other forms of treatment to treat the symptoms of depression.
Risks
Most data tell us that acupuncture is safe, but we should consider the risk of this treatment. The side effects of it are mild or rare. The patient may experience :
- Bleeding
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Pain during and after acupuncture
If the patients have any history of allergies should inform the acupuncturist. Metal needles, a chemical used to clean the skin, may cause an allergic reaction.
Results
Every time it is difficult to measure the benefits of acupuncture. Still, it is observed that many people find it helpful as it means to control a variety of painful conditions. Acupuncture gives the best results for the people who expect it to work. Though it has some side effects, It is worth trying if you are having symptoms of depression and cannot control it with your conventional methods.
Acupuncture has few side effects, so it may be worth a try if you’re having trouble controlling pain with more-conventional methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does acupuncture help with depression?
As per research, acupuncture releases endorphins that help to stimulate blood flow. An increase in endorphins may boost the mind and body, relieving some depression symptoms.
2. How long does acupuncture take to work for depression?
In an approximately 8-week acupuncture study of 151 men and women, researchers learned that depressive symptoms improved significantly.
3. How does acupuncture affect emotions?
As acupuncture works by addressing the root cause of depression, the process can cause repressed emotions to surface. You may be quicker to cry or notice yourself feeling more sentimental than usual. In general, emotions—good or bad—are felt more intensely.
4. How often should you get acupuncture for pain?
A common treatment plan for a single symptom typically involves one or two weekly treatments. The number of treatments will depend on the condition and severity.
5. Can acupuncture make you happier?
Acupuncture increases your sense of well-being. When you receive acupuncture, research studies have shown that “feel-good” hormones immediately release into your system.