Can Acupuncture Help Your Depression?

By Tara Peyman, ND

Acupuncture is the virtually painless insertion of ultra-thin sterile needles at specific points in the skin with the intention of balancing the body's energy and reducing pain. This method of treatment is based on a 3000 year old system of medicine from China, and by combining this ancient wisdom with modern techniques, acupuncture practitioners help patients to achieve an increased state of health.
Acupuncture can treat a variety of disorders, such as:

* Chronic pain (headaches, back pain, etc.)
* Psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, etc.)
* Respiratory conditions (asthma, allergies, etc.)
* Cardiovascular conditions (high blood pressure, etc.)
* Gastrointestinal disorders (nausea, constipation, etc.)
* Reproductive disorders (infertility, menopausal symptoms, etc.)
* Skin conditions (eczema, hives, etc.)

Most people feel a difference after a single treatment, but several treatments may be needed in order to reach optimal health. Many patients say that their symptoms improve more and more with each treatment, so that after each successive session the positive results lasted longer. Often patients will come in for a treatment once per week for a few weeks, and then taper the sessions out to once per month, and then as needed. Over time, typically fewer acupuncture sessions are needed to maintain results.

People respond differently to acupuncture, but most people report a mild electric, aching, or tingling feeling around the needle insertion, which subsides after a few moments. Some people do not feel the needle insertion at all, because the needles are so thin.

For treating depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders, there are specific acupuncture points that can be very helpful. Your doctor will check your pulse, listen to your symptoms, and make some physical observations to design the perfect acupuncture protocol for you as an individual. One of the best things about using acupuncture to treat anxiety or depression is that the treatments can also benefit other aspects of your health, such as the conditions listed above.

With acupuncture, there are no pills to take, so you do not have to worry about remembering to take medications. If you are on medications for depression or anxiety and want to stay on these prescriptions, or taper off the medications over time, we can get you started on an acupuncture program without worrying about any drug interactions. Acupuncture can also be safely combined with other natural therapies for faster results; homeopathic medicine, nutritional supplements, and herbal medicine can be added to your treatment plan to speed up your improvement.

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Tara Peyman is a licensed naturopathic doctor practicing in the Phoenix area. She has developed an expertise in treating mood disorders with natural medicine, and also has comprehensive naturopathic programs for weight loss, diabetes, and smoking cessation. For more information, visit www.DrTaraPeyman.com, or call 480.985.0000.