Acupuncture and Depression

Depression can be quite debilitating. Prolonged feelings of sadness, discouragement and hopelessness greatly affect the quality of life.

All of us at one time or another have experienced some form of depression. It is a healthy response to overwhelming events in our lives. When we are balanced physically and mentally we can easily bounce back from a depressed state and continue on with our normal lives. But when these feelings become persistent and occur without precipitating factors, depression may set in.

Today more than 28 million Americans are taking antidepressant and antianxiety drugs. In 1998 doctors wrote more than 130 million prescriptions for antidepressants. According to the Physician's Desk Reference, the top antidepressants address only the signs and symptoms of the disease and can cause a myriad of side effects: insomnia, anxiety, listlessness, fatigue, body rash, tremors, facial tics, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and sexual dysfunction. Depression alone is stressful enough on your body and drugs can add a greater amount of stress.

How Can Acupuncture Help?

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine incorporate thousands of years of experience in treating depression. Not only can they help to alleviate the signs and symptoms accompanying depression, it can address the root cause(s) and underlying imbalances.

Acupuncturists are aware of the powerful interplay between our body and emotions--the two are inseparable. When we experience emotional upset, our internal environment also becomes disrupted, leading to physical symptoms of depression, and when our internal environment has changed, our emotions can become greatly affected.

Over time, this disruption leads to what an acupuncturist calls "stagnant or depressed Qi." This diagnosis is unique to acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Eventually, it can cause a disharmony within our body, affecting our physical and emotional well-being. If not properly treated, this imbalance may lead to depression.

This article was provided by Acupuncture Media Works

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DAVID N. BOLE, Ph.D., A.P. is director of the Traditional Acupuncture Center, a holistic health care facility offering a multi-dimensional approach to health and healing. Read more about Dr. Bole...