Treating Depression with Acupuncture

Acupuncture and Depression Treating Depression with Acupuncture Researchers concluded that acupuncture is a very reliable and promising treatment mainly for the major depression in women. Actually Depression is very common in India and it is one of the mostly reported medical reasonings. In that case many patients are not getting proper treatments so they give up at very early stages. After recovery from it, many are not able to cure it totally and so it is suggested that there should be some alternative treatment available for depression other than psychotherapy and medication. For the depression treatment one can go for the electro acupuncture, it actually involves the application of a small electrical current through acupuncture needles and nothing else. Most of the researchers have concluded that acupuncture is more effective for mild depression and for depression related to a chronic medical illness. Acupuncture is one of the natural as well as safe way to treat the depression. Anxiety and Stress are the main depression that has been caused mainly due to the chemical imbalances in the brain. For this the conventional treatments include anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and sleeping pills mostly. But the common side effects of these kinds of drugs are blurred vision, headache, drowsiness, low libido, and many like these. Acupuncture helps in a natural way for stimulating the central nervous system and increasing the production of naturally occurring chemicals in the body like endorphins and enkephalins, which are responsible for a person's mood and feeling of well being etc. Acupuncture treatment is mainly based on the increasing or balancing the life energy, which is regulating emotional, mental, and physical balance of the body. So depression, anxiety and stress occur by abnormal emotions, which reduce the normal flow of life energy. In China, it is believed that medicine governs the emotions of an individual. They believe that the body as well as the mind is a real part of the same functional system. Acupuncture method actually helps the body and mind and balances emotional distress in a natural way successfully as it promotes the body's natural healing abilities. Acupuncture Helps in a Natural Way Acupuncture never separates the mind and body but it treats both the physical and mental symptoms of conditions at the same time It enhances the health of anyone with conditions caused by drug side effects It helps by reducing or eliminating the need for medication and its inherent side effects It emphasizes prevention and health maintenance by a balance diet Acupunctures Additional Benefits Acupuncture helps by balancing the hormones in the body responsible for the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual conditions of the body and mind. It helps to create emotional balance, calmed the body and mind It improves the overall health and well-being It improves mental conditions and enhanced concentration It also reduces pain and muscle tension Enriched sleep It helps to feel positive about self, more interest in life It increases energy by regular exercise It improves ability to handle changes and problems in life easily It also reduces eating disorders

Acupuncture and Menopause:-

 Creating Physical and Emotional Health with Acupuncture

With its close understanding of the female body, Acupuncture has always addressed the special needs of women throughout their lives. Menopause, in particular, is an area in which Acupuncture Therapy shines. Acupuncture Therapy have the ability to detect energetic changes that occur in the body and quickly relieve uncomfortable symptoms that accompany the onset of menopause.

What is Menopause?

Menopause is a transitional period marking the cessation of ovulation in a woman’s body. Most women stop menstruating between the ages of 48 and 52, but symptoms can begin as early as 35. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and are brought on as our bodies try to adapt to decreasing amounts of estrogen. Symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, mood swings, memory loss, vaginal dryness, headaches, joint pain, and weight gain.

From an Eastern Perspective

According to Acupuncture Therapy, menopause occurs when a woman’s body begins to preserve blood and energy in order to sustain her. The kidney is the organ system in Acupuncture Therapy that is viewed as the root of reproduction, vitality and longevity. Menopause signifies the depletion of the fertility essence stored within the kidneys. Blood and essence from the kidneys are conserved and cycled through the body to nourish the woman’s spirit and extend her longevity. Thus, in Acupuncture Therapy, menopause is seen as true change in life from mother to enlightened and wise being.

Treating Menopause with Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Few areas of women’s health stir up as much confusion and debate as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which is normally started when the first symptoms of menopause appear. While HRT may alleviate hot flashes and prevent osteoporosis, they may also increase the risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, and have a number of significant side-effects. But HRT isn’t the only solution, Acupuncture Therapy has long recognized that health and vitality can be sustained over a woman’s lifetime by restoring balance within the body and supporting the natural production of essential hormones.

Acupuncture Points for Menopause
    
While many different acupuncture points are used, depending on your specific symptoms and the state of your overall health . Acupuncture Points helps in  strengthening  the spleen, resolves damp, promotes the smooth flow of Qi, strengthens the kidneys, nourishes blood and yin, benefits urination, regulates uterus and menstruation, moves and cools blood, relieves pain and calms the mind .Acupuncture point helps clear the spirit and rebalances the yin and yang elements of the body.

Study on Acupuncture for Hot Flashes
    
Acupuncture Therapy reduces nighttime hot flashes caused by menopause, according to a study published in the journal, Fertility and Sterility.

Researchers found that seven weeks of acupuncture treatment reduced the severity of nighttime hot flashes by twenty-eight percent among menopausal women compared with a six percent decrease among women who had a sham acupuncture treatment.

The effects of acupuncture vs. a sham acupuncture treatment on the severity and frequency of nighttime hot flashes were compared. Taking part in the study were twenty-nine menopausal women experiencing at least seven moderate to severe hot flashes per day.

All of the women underwent nine treatments from trained acupuncturists in sessions over seven weeks. Twelve of the women received real acupuncture using points selected to target hot flashes and sleepiness. The rest of the women received a sham acupuncture treatment using non-penetrating needles at random acupuncture channel points.

Throughout the study, the women reported the number and severity of their hot flashes. The results showed that nighttime hot flash severity decreased significantly (twenty-eight percent) among the women who received acupuncture vs. a six percent drop among the women who got the sham treatment. However, they did not see a similar finding in the frequency of nighttime hot flashes between the two groups.

Researchers and  their colleagues say the results suggest acupuncture deserves further study as an alternative treatment for menopausal hot flashes.

With support from Acupuncture Therapy, menopause can be a time of a revival of vital energy and an opportunity for personal growth. Acupuncture Therapy eliminates stress, tension and anxiety or learn techniques to cope with stress so that you can diminish the effects that it has on your body and mind.

Please call with any questions or to schedule a consultation.