Beat Depression with Acupuncture
- Dr. Stephanie Bartolotti
- Sep 1, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 26, 2024
Depression is a complex mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed. It affects how you think, feel, and handle daily activities. Individuals experiencing depression may also exhibit symptoms such as changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, excessive crying, fatigue, agitation, social isolation, anxiety, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, and even thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Depression can impact every aspect of a person's life, from their relationships and work performance to their physical health.
Treatment options for depression may include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, support groups, and acupuncture. A reported 50-60% of patients with depression do not respond completely to anti-depressant medication, and many patients stop taking medication due to the negative side effects. This is why many people with depression often seek out acupuncture as an alternative option or adjunctive therapy. Acupuncture can work to relieve depression naturally, without medication and its side effects.
Acupuncture for Depression
Acupuncture works with the central nervous system to regulate the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine to relieve feelings of anxiety, irritability, and melancholy. Acupuncture also boosts and stabilizes the production of melatonin to promote deeper and more restful sleep, alleviating insomnia and fatigue. By altering the brain's chemistry directly, acupuncture is just as effective as Western medication with none of the unpleasant side effects.
In a clinical study comparing anti-depressant Paroxetine (Paxil) to acupuncture, acupuncture had a 95% total total effective rate at treating depression.
While Paxil had a similar effective rate at 91%, all Paxil patients reported side effects of nausea, anorexia, and diarrhea. Acupuncture had no negative side effects. Auriculotherapy, or ear acupuncture, can help control side effects such as weight and appetite fluctuation as well as anxiety. Ear seeds are taped to acupressure points in the ear to provide light but constant stimulation, working with the body after the acupuncture appointment is over.
If you or a loved one are struggling to manage depression with anti-depressants, call us today at 321-972-2940 to start your natural recovery! Remember, you are not alone in this battle, and there is hope for recovery and healing.
Sources:
HealthCMI. "Acupuncture Reduces Depression and Insomnia." (April 6, 2014). Retrieved from http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1289-update-acupuncture-reduces-depression-and-insomnia
HealthCMI. "Acupuncture Alleviates Depression and Anxiety, Boosts Paxil." (November 11, 2016). Retrieved from http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1678-acupuncture-alleviates-depression-and-anxiety
Hunstad, Eric P. (2017). Acupuncture for Depression. In Acupuncture Information Manual (AIM).
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