Acupuncture Science

Acupuncture - an Effective Depression Remedy?

Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicine - dating back to around 8,000 years ago in ancient China. Acupuncture is the art of inserting tiny needles into specific places on the body and can cure many different ailments including asthma, insomnia and high blood pressure. It is believed that acupuncture can successfully treat over 40 different common health problems - but can it treat depression?

Depression is the most common emotional condition in the United States - affecting, to some degree, an estimated 11 million people every year. Depression is more common in women, affecting around 20% of women as opposed to around 10% of men - although men are more inclined to commit suicide when depressed. The illness costs an estimated $40 billion a year in charges for treatment and lost productivity.

Research suggests that acupuncture can help to treat depression - although there is little firm evidence to date. One major study was undertaken by the National Institute of Health in 1998 - the study determined that sufferers from depression who were treated with acupuncture enjoyed a 40% reduction in symptoms. Other studies have had similar results - those treated with acupuncture were more likely to be cured than those treated with traditional medication or therapy.

According to Chinese wisdom, a person's body and mind are both part of the same system. Acupuncture treats both the body and the mind at the same time, rather than separating the two. The purpose of acupuncture treatment is to try to balance the body's life energy, by the skillful placement of the needles. The concept of the life energy is important to our overall sense of well being - a person with a reduced flow of life energy will tend to suffer from stress or depression.

Acupuncture is effective as it tends to work on a person's general health, rather than treating a specific disease or ailment. It's also considered to be a natural remedy, so it is recommended for its lack of side effects, rather than medication. Medications can effectively treat depression but often have side effects and can introduce toxins into the body. Most practitioners recommend acupuncture along with therapy to treat depression or anxiety.

Acupuncture supposedly helps treat depression by unblocking the body's clogged up lines of energy - or meridians. Once the energy lines are unblocked by placing the needles into the correct point on the body, the energy can flow through the body freely and whatever negative symptoms are in the body will then be removed.

It's likely that acupuncture is effective in treating depression because it helps to stimulate the body's central nervous system and increases the production of naturally occurring chemicals. These chemicals, which include enkephalins and endorphins, are partly responsible for a person's feeling of well being.

Acupuncture has several benefits when it comes to treating depression as well as other conditions. There are no side effects and no danger of addiction. Most practitioners also advocate exercise, a healthy diet and lifestyle along with the acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture also helps a person to sleep better, and reduces muscle tension and pain.

Also, being treated for depression with acupuncture is fast - positive results can typically be achieved by just several sessions over several weeks rather than a course of antidepressant drugs which may take several months.

Many people state that they feel better and have more energy after just the first treatment. And as acupuncture tends to treat the actual root cause of depression - there's a good chance that the treatment may prevent a person from suffering from depression in the future. Those who have been treated for depression by acupuncture usually state that they maintain a feeling of well being after the treatment.

Most people - even those who have a needle phobia - tend to not be too bothered by the needles. The needles used in acupuncture are extremely fine and cause virtually no pain when being used - there may be a slight feeling of discomfort or pressure, when being treated with needles. Many people claim to experience a warm comforting feeling when the needles are inserted. Acupuncture needles are always sterilized and procedures are completely safe.

Research has also been done on the effects of electro-acupuncture. As the name suggests, this technique involves passing a very small electrical current through acupuncture needles. Initial results indicate that those who undergo this technique also benefit from a general feeling of well being and invigoration.

The techniques and the benefits of acupuncture are still a mystery to many people - to the uninitiated, it isn't considered real medicine. However, acupuncture is becoming more and more acceptable - there are an estimated 9,000 practitioners throughout the US and around 15 million Americans have now benefited from this ancient technique.

About the Author: About Author:

Craig Elliott is a freelance writer who writes about mental health topics including Community Support Services | Depression Anxiety Treatment

Find Out How Medical Acupuncture Can Help You

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Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of healing, and medical acupuncture is a more recent form that is widely practiced in the west. Acupuncture simply refers to a technique where fine needles are inserted and manipulated into certain specific points to help relieve pain and for other beneficial purposes. When a doctor trained and licensed in western medicine pursues acupuncture training, it is termed as medical acupuncture. As there are many different approaches to learning and practicing acupuncture, a doctor can use one particular approach or a combination of two to treat medical conditions.

Medical acupuncture being a healing process that does not fall within conventional medicine is now being considered to be an alternative medical technique. In the West, medical acupuncture is mainly used to treat pain caused by problems with bones, muscles, and joints. It is also used to treat illness like asthma, irritable bowel syndrome etc. Acupuncture can also effectively provide pain relief for patients suffering from cancer. It can also help in many medical conditions like migraine, headache, back pain, and dental pain. Acupuncture has also been seen to be effective in the treatment of nausea.

Acupuncture helps by triggering pain-releasing endorphins in the brain that promotes mental and physical well-being. It can effectively provide relief from various medical conditions and help prevent illness. Acupuncture can be used to treat many medical conditions, be it respiratory disorders, digestive disorders, neurological disorders, or reproductive problems; acupuncture can be your solution. It is highly useful in solving problems arising from tension and other emotional conditions.

The acupuncturist usually begins the treatment process by taking the case history of the patient and asking some questions concerning your current health facts. This assessment is to determine which acupuncture points would be needed, this way the treatment is unique to each patient and focuses on his/her particular problem. Acupuncturists may make use of cupping and moxibustion to stimulate the acupuncture points. If you are unsure about the needles, do not worry as most people do not face any discomfort and in most cases, brings a feeling of relaxation. Also, the doctor would sterilize the needles before inserting it; therefore, you do not need to worry about infection.

In most cases, acupuncture has no side effects but in some cases, the original symptoms may not get noticeably better or other general changes may take place. However, you need not worry, as this is an indication that the method is working. Also with the first treatments, you may have a feeling of deep relaxation or mild disorientation but proper rest and time would fix that.

Although many are under the impression that acupuncture is ineffective, you should know that in the past 2,000 years, it has successfully treated numerous medical conditions. Now in modern times, it is being widely used by patients and physicians alike. Also, remember that acupuncture can be given with other techniques at the same time.

Now that you know the several benefits of medical acupuncture, why not make use of it to treat your medical condition or illness. Make sure to find a good acupuncturist who is properly trained and skilled. Try this alternative medical technique to find good and satisfactory results.

About the Author: For more insights and additional information about Medical Acupuncture as well as finding a wealth of resources to find out more about medical acupuncture, please visit our web site at http://www.acupuncture-tips.com