Acupuncture is a holistic medicine which works to treat both the mind and the body. Acupuncture is very effective at treating depression without medications or side effects. Recently, a new study shows that acupuncture treatment for depression not only works quickly but also has long lasting results.
In this study, 755 patients were given acupuncture, psychological counseling, or standard care which is depression medications. After only 3 months with an average of 10 visits, the depression levels in the acupuncture group were significantly less than in the group that took medications. This reduction in depression was not only fast but it remained constant at a 1 year follow up from the acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture for Depression
Acupuncture treatment for depression does not just focus on relieving the symptoms but also improving the health of your body overall. This is because acupuncture does not focus on one single symptom but takes the whole person into consideration, both mentally and physically. Each treatment plan is individualized to your particularly health concerns.
Interestingly, in this study the acupuncture patients also had a reduction in pain. In my acupuncture office many people who come in with physical complaints like back pain find their anxiety and depression are also improved after the treatment.
There are strong neurological and hormonal effects of acupuncture. We know a lot about how acupuncture works to reduce pain. Acupuncture helps to regulate the nervous system, stimulating the release of the body’s natural pain relievers, as well as regulating pain relieving receptors. Acupuncture also has an anti-inflammatory effect reducing the circulating inflammatory hormones. It is probably that these same pathways help to reduce depression. This is particularly important now that we have a much more clear understanding of the connection between inflammation and depression.
