Acupuncture is Very Effective for Depression

Depression is a psychological disorder characterized by a negative mood and pessimism. Patients with this illness always sigh in despair, feel sad, grief and lack enjoyment. It may be accompanied by some of the symptoms such as headache, upset stomach, fatigue, diarrhea, and nightmares. In severe cases, the patients can be very pessimistic or even commit suicide. Liver-qi stagnation, phlegm, liver and kidney deficiency could all be the cause of depression.

Depression, like anxiety, is a common and difficult condition to treat in medicine nowadays. The good news is the acupuncture is effective alternative approach for depression without side effects. A systemic clinical review conducted by David P. Sniezek concludes that there is high-level evidence to support the use of acupuncture for treating major depressive disorder in pregnancy. According to WHO, depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke) has definitely been proven as effectively treated by acupuncture

How does acupuncture help with depression? From TCM point of view, the brain is the house of the original spirit. The Governor Vessel enters and connects to the brain. Baihui (GV 20) and Shuigou (GV 26) induce resuscitation and adjust the spirits. Shenmen (RT 7) is the Yuan-Source Point of the heart channel, and Neiguan (PC 6) is the Luo-Connecting Point of the pericardium channel. These two points can calm the heart and spirit. Neiguan (PC 6) can also open the chest and sooth the qi. Taichong (LR 3) can soothe the liver qi.

Principal acupuncture points for depression are Baihui (GV20), Shuigou (GV26), Shenmen (RT7), Neiguan (PC6), and Taichong (LR3).

In our acupuncture clinic in Mississauga, different other points shall be chosen accordingly to the patient’s conditions. Navel acupuncture or Auricular acupuncture technique maybe applied to help more. Contact us today to get help.