| Date: 19 May 2007 |
Acupuncture & Depression
Acupuncture can be a very effective treatment for depression. From the Chinese medical perspective emotions are flows of energy. So how we feel is very closely linked to the state of our ‘vital energy’. If our energy is in balance the emotions will rise and fall smoothly and naturally. If this energy gets blocked or hampered in any way, either from external influences (such as lifestyle, eating habits, life events) or an internal disharmony, then the emotions will get stuck too – hence depression, anxiety, prolonged anger etc may follow.
Acupuncture works by gently stimulating this energy to flow again by the insertion of very fine needles at particular points in the body. It is an holistic treatment that addresses the mind, body and spirit as one whole. It doesn’t have any negative side effects and can be used safely alongside western medical treatment.
More and more research is being done into the effectiveness of acupuncture and a quick search on the internet will throw up numerous reports of acupuncture’s role in treating depression. However perhaps the most powerful evidence is the frequency with which we hear the comment ‘I just feel better in myself’ in our treatment room.
Randal Pinto, Angelika Strixner and Jody Ragg practice acupuncture at Natural Health in Hertford and are members of the British Acupuncture Council. If you would like to make an appointment for acupuncture, or have a question about how acupuncture might help you, please call Natural Health on 01992 550101.
|
