For thousands of years, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have used acupuncture to treat various health and medical conditions. Research shows that acupuncture has reached peak popularity in the United States, with more than 10 million acupuncture treatments given each year.
People use acupuncture to treat various conditions, including mental health issues like depression. For those who have not seen improvement through regular methods, acupuncture can be an alternative treatment worth trying.
This article will discuss whether acupuncture can be used to treat depression.
What is acupuncture?
Traditional Chinese medicine believes the body has a flow of energy regulating your health. And if you disrupt the flow, you get ill. The thin needles are applied to acupuncture points to rebalance your energy and improve your health.
Acupuncture has been used to treat the following conditions:
- Arthritis
- Menstrual cramps
- Chronic pain
- Acute pain such as muscle pain, back pain, and knee pain
- Migraines and headaches
- Sports injuries
- Allergies
What is depression?
Depression involves a constant feeling of sadness and tends to be accompanied by a loss of interest or pleasure. Symptoms tend to include the following:
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Tiredness and a lack of energy
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Irritability and frustration
- Trouble concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Most people with depression usually treat it through medication or talk therapy. However, some have been given alternative treatments to try, like acupuncture.
Acupuncture and depression
Some studies have been conducted about acupuncture and depression, though it’s been difficult to measure its benefits because of limitations. However, some research shows acupuncture has been effective as a treatment for depression and related symptoms.
It’s proven to:
- Decrease the severity of depression. An 8-week study of 150 men and women found that depressive symptoms improved significantly with acupuncture. Those who received acupuncture improved more than those who did not. It was compared to have similar effects to the antidepressant drug fluoxetine in those with post-stroke depression.
- Reduce the number of migraines. Some people have depression and migraines. Researchers found that those with migraines are three times more likely to have depression. A study found that people who received acupuncture treatments had less frequent migraines than those who did not.
- Reduce depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Almost a quarter of pregnant women may have depression. Some women may be worried about taking antidepressants, and studies have shown acupuncture can have a positive effect on depression during pregnancy.
What are the side effects of acupuncture?
While acupuncture may help treat depression, there are a few common side effects that have been reported. These include bruising, minor bleeding, or soreness in the places where the needles were placed. Less-reported side effects include dizziness, local internal bleeding, nerve damage, dermatitis, increased pain, and hepatitis B.
You could face complications if you have medical issues, such as a bleeding disorder, or are taking blood thinners. If you have a pacemaker, infusion pump, or other electrical device, you should avoid electroacupuncture, which uses a device to generate electric stimulation.
Reach out to Comfort Chiropractic & Acupuncture for an appointment today!
Don’t let your depression continue to interfere with the quality of your life. Our team of expert acupuncturists at Comfort Chiropractic & Acupuncture can help you find relief through customized treatments focused on helping treat your depression. Combining ancient practices and modern research, acupuncture offers an effective way to treat back pain naturally and holistically.
Contact us today to see how acupuncture can help you with your depression. We look forward to helping you move along the path to health and wellness!
