One condition that I am asked about constantly is how acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine can help in the remedies for depression.

What’s Depression Specifically?

Now, what are the indicators of depression? Let’s quickly discuss this, before we go into Chinese medicine’s view of this condition. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a state of “low” mood and is commonly identified by an aversion to daily activity. The mental and physical signs of depression can affect not only the thoughts and feelings of a person but also their physical wellbeing.

It is common for those going through depression to show a large number of symptoms, including: sleeplessness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, aches and pains in the body, fast weight gain or loss, poor memory, fatigue, digestion-related problems and in some cases a complete absence of interest in doing the things they used to like to do. In severe cases of depression, suicide may even be considered or tried.

How is Depression Customarily Treated?

Today, the common treatments for depression are psychotherapy and anti-depressant drugs. Sadly, it is very common for anti-depressants to be prescribed with no regard for the exact symptoms of the depressed individual.

Ok, What about Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to Treat Depression?

On the other hand, Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches the issue of depression from quite a different view point. TCM doesn’t lump all these symptoms together and classify it as “depression” or as only one illness for that matter. We strive to treat the precise symptoms possessed by an individual patient and don’t believe there is a one-size-fits-all treatment to this complicated disorder. Using a variety of TCM techniques, including: Chinese herbs, acupuncture and energetic exercises, we work to fix imbalances throughout the body and treat the specific symptoms that a patient is experiencing.

The purpose of acupuncture is to stimulate the body’s energy flow, or Qi, and revive functionality. Though many consider acupuncture a preventative alternative health practice, studies have confirmed its effectiveness in treating discomfort and pain and other persistent health related conditions.

Since the late 1980s and early 1990s, there were numerous studies that suggest the treatment of depression with acupuncture is a viable choice. Including acupuncture has been shown to have a positive and holistic effect, especially when mixed with herbal treatments and psychotherapy.

 

Rob Green is an acupuncture and Chinese Medicine writer who writes regular content for BodaHealth a Vancouver acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic.