Acupuncture and Depression Treatment

This article discusses acupuncture and depression treatment.

As described in the other related articles, acupuncture treatment involves a holistic approach in treating various disease conditions and this includes depression.

Unlike allopathic treatment where each condition or organ system is treated separately, acupuncture considers the entire human body system and its alignment or balance with the environment in examining and treating various conditions. Acupuncture engages a similar methodology in diagnosis, treating, and healing depression.

Acupuncture establishes a concrete link or association between the mind and the body while treating depression; hence this form of treatment becomes much more effective and holistic in treating depression.

Most physical problems have a corresponding mental or physical cause or imbalance and the opposite is also true, mental problems and complaints do have physical causes and reasons. Therefore, acupuncture is one of the best forms of treatments to employ in diagnosing and treating depression.

The premise on which acupuncture and depression treatment works is to bring about a balance in energy flow with no disruptions or blockages and to bring about a harmonious relationship between the mind, body, intellect, and environment.

Depression, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture, is a representation of blocked energy or imbalance between the yin and yang poles of energy. This is something which is made used of in acupuncture and depression treatment.

Imbalance in the yin and yang energy can manifest in different forms and by examining the physical body, posture, gait, texture of the skin, vision, voice, tongue, pulse etc., an astute and well-experienced acupuncturist will be able to make an accurate assessment of the problem and extent of depression.

Acupuncturists will also record a detailed history of the patient and his or her symptoms from the patient. This will be followed by evaluating the extent of imbalance present in the fortitude, mettle, energy, blood, fluids, and organs of the patient.

Acupuncture describes the presence of 14 main channels in the human body through which the life force or qi (chi) flows. These channels run through all parts of the body and are interconnected. Externally there are close to 400 acupoints or key points that can provide access to these channels of energy. Each key point is associated with one or more functions hence by inserting needles into these key points, the acupuncturist is releasing energies that are stagnating or blocked and helping it to move freely.

Energy that is blocked at a particular point will result in depriving a certain organ or channel of energy thereby starving it of the vital force. By releasing energy that is blocked, these organs or channels will be flush with fresh energy and will no longer be deficient of energy.

During acupuncture and depression treatment, people suffering from depression often claim that their experience of acupuncture treatment was soothing, relaxing, and energizing. Needles employed in treatment are extremely fine, thin, and sterile making it a safe and painless procedure. Any experience of soreness or stretching sensation during acupuncture for depression treatment is a strong indication of the needle connecting with the qi or energy. During the procedure, patients are made to feel relaxed and comfortable and draped appropriately.

Patients often describe the acupuncture and depression treatment experience as coming out of deep meditation. The precise acupuncture treatment for depression could include a history and physical examination, followed by vital statistics, and acupuncture treatment. Patient is generally requested to lie on his or her stomach followed by a brief acupuncture session to key points on the back.

These points could include the lung point to release any sorrow that the patient is withholding and not letting go. The heart point to heal the lack of happiness, liver points to cure anger or depression, and kidney points to heal fear or distress, and the treatment to the back is completed.

For the next part of acupuncture and depression treatment, the patient is then asked to lie on his or her back for treatment of points that enhance the energy flow and balance the spirit. This involves inserting needles in the lower arms, legs, stomach, and head. Acupuncturists select these points are selected because they are associated with the seven chakras as described in ancient Indian science of yoga.

In addition to this acupuncture needles could be inserted on the exteriors of the ears in an attempt to harmonize the neurotransmitters released by the brain and establish a sense of wellness. Most often times, magnets are placed behind the ears or in the auricular points to extend the treatment.

Thus, acupuncture and depression treatment involves releasing the blocked energies that are stagnating at certain points and depriving other channels and organs from the free flowing life force. Balancing the energy and brining about harmony within the body by accessing the energy channels with the help of needles is the treatment modality employed by acupuncture in treating depression.

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Some Related Acupuncture Pages
Chinese Acupuncture History - Its Origins
How is Acupuncture Done? - Some Methods Explained
Acupuncture Body Points - An Explanation
Health Benefits of Acupuncture
Potential Acupuncture Side Effects and Risks
Advantages and Disadvantages of Acupuncture
Conditions Treated With Acupuncture
Acupuncture for Allergies Relief
Acupuncture for Asthma Treatment
Acupuncture for Back Pain Treatment
Acupuncture Cancer Treatment
Acupuncture Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
Acupuncture and Depression Treatment
Fibromyalgia Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture High Blood Pressure Treatment
Acupuncture for IBS Treatment
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