Acupuncture for Depression
Depression is one of the more common and one of the more severe mental health disorders. There are several different kinds of depression, post-partum, persistent, and major being just a few. Folks with depression may experience feelings of hopelessness, guilt, irritability, and sadness, along with other symptoms such as fatigue, appetite and/or weight fluctuations, aches or pains, and difficulty completing tasks required to function properly in day-to-day life.
Therapy and medications are the most common interventions for depression of any type. However, some folks would prefer a different kind of treatment to supplement these normal interventions, or to help them get away from pharmaceuticals and the adverse side effects they sometimes incur. In these instances, acupuncture has become a popular complementary treatment for mood disorders such as depression.
One Reuters article reported on a recent study of the efficacy of acupuncture for depression. The study found that, “Participants who received acupuncture or counseling saw larger improvements over three months than those who had neither treatment.”
Another article found after studying the methodology and results of several different studies that data suggests acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for depression, resulting in the alleviation of symptoms using a technique tolerated well by study participants.
An article from Healthline on acupuncture for depression states, “Acupuncture may help ease depression symptoms, as well as treat the underlying condition,” and goes on to city two studies that support this claim.
Another study from the Annals of Internal Medicine found that alternative treatment approaches, such as acupuncture, meditation, and yoga, among others, improved responses to treatment in folks suffering from depression, improved quality of life and functionality, and reduced rates of suicidality and hospitalizations in people with depression.
While a serious condition, depression is treatable. Acupuncture could be one of the effective tools available to people dealing with this mood disorder to recover and improve their wellbeing. Acupuncture providers approach patients individually and holistically, offering a relaxing respite during treatments and, after a full course of treatment, can send patients away feeling better and less susceptible to recurring depression.
Providers at Love Acupuncture & Wellness Group can help with mild to moderate depression. If you experience severe depression, we want you to get the specialized care you need. If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, call 911. If you are not in an emergency, but need help right away and don’t know where to start, we recommend calling:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357
Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ individuals): 1-866-488-7386
Our providers at Love Acupuncture & Wellness Group are happy to help you get back on the path to wellness. We believe in treating the patient as a whole person and looking at all the converging factors that may contribute to depression and depressive feelings. If you need help for your mild to moderate depression and are wanting an alternative or complementary treatment to help alleviate symptoms, email us at info@loveacu.net or call our offices at (503) 343 9851 to learn more and schedule an appointment.