Acupuncture and Depression

Depression and anxiety are a growing issue affecting many adults worldwide. According to the CDC, an estimated 1 in 10 US adults reported having depression.[1] Evidence based on brain-imaging technologies, such as MRI, have been used to show that certain areas of the brain are affected by depression such as those areas controlling mood, thinking, sleep, appetite, and behavior. Depression has been linked to environmental, genetic and biological factors.[2]

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help to alleviate the signs and symptoms associated with depression and address the underlying root cause of imbalance in the body. Acupuncture has been shown to be comparable to antidepressants alone in alleviating the symptom severity of Major Depressive Disorder with significantly lower instances of adverse reactions.[3]

Most patients begin to see positive changes in 1-4 treatments. Generally, patients will notice that they sleep more soundly, feel happier, calmer and are more easily able to handle the stress they encounter in their daily lives. 

References:

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, March 31). An Estimated 1 in 10 U.S. Adults Report Depression. Retrieved March 1, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdepression/

[2] National Institute of Mental Health. (ret. 2014). Depression. Retrieved March 1, 2014, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml#part1

[3] Zhang, Z., Chen, H., Yip, K., Ng, R., & Wong, V. T. (2010). The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy in depressive disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 124(1-2), 9-21.