Acupuncture For Depression

Depression has become a common phenomenon these days. According to Mayo Clinic, Depression affects millions of people in the US each year. Whether it’s circumstantial (sparked by an incident, trauma or loss), or a general sense of depression, Acupuncturists who are specially trained may be able to help.

In fact, according to an article in the Scientific American, one study showed Acupuncture was just as effective as medication for depression and another study showed Acupuncture to be helpful for side effects of medications.

Many Acupuncturists use a nuanced system of assessing one’s energy including energetic imbalances that may be reflecting the depression. There may be a good energetic reason for feeling depressed. Our assessment includes the ancient practices of feeling pulses on your wrists and looking at your tongue.

Sometimes we feel tired, lethargic, and down but our pulses are strong! This indicates stagnation of energy (think: traffic jam). In this case, we need to get the energy (blood and qi) moving and people often begin to feel better.

In other cases someone’s pulses are weaker than ideal. Their tongue is often red or pale indicating deficiency of energy. In these cases we need to build energy through strengthening points and perhaps a warming herb called moxabustion that is applied over the skin.

There may also be vitamin deficiencies contributing to the experience of depression such as B vitamins. A physician could run a blood test to see blood levels of essential vitamins and an Acupuncturist could make nutritional recommendations based on your tongue and pulse presentations.

There are many points with whimsical names that may be just what the Acupuncturist ordered. Look at these names and see if there are any you’d like to experience.

Dark Gate – Lifts our spirit through a dark times

Amidst Elegance – Reminds you of your inherent value.

Through the Valley -Takes us to a calm place.

Walking on the Verandah – Has the feel of being on a safe place like the porch of your house that is covered and protected yet gives you access to outside nature.

Gate of Hope – As the name indicates, this can help move stuck energy through an energetic gateway of feeling more hopeful.

Spirit Deficiency – For those who don’t feel “nourished”, satisfied, or fulfilled by life, this point can be warmed and “nourished” by the herb moxa at our belly button, the location we first received nourishment from our mother’s in the womb.

Acupuncture is a safe, gentle treatment that can support you in feeling better. It can make a great adjunct to your current plan of care with your team of healthcare professionals be it your Primary Care Physician, Psychiatrist, Therapist, Yogi, Reiki Practitioner, etc.

The good news is, you don’t have to figure out what points you need. That’s our job. All you need to do is pick up the phone and call to schedule your first appointment where we’ll welcome you in to relax in our supportive atmosphere and enjoy the gentle healing of Acupuncture.

Sources:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-acupuncture-treat-depression/