Depression & Acupuncture

Although we all experience a low mood from time to time, these feelings usually last for perhaps a few days and soon after we “re-boot” and get back to our positive selves once again. For someone with depression however, the ability to re-boot and get back to oneself is often a seemingly impossible task. According to a study in 2008 by the World Health Organization (WHO), it is predicted that by the year 2020 depression will be second only to heart disease as an international health burden.

Although there are many factors that contribute to depression, depression is believed to be the result of chemical imbalances in the brain, especially low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Depression is characterized by chronic or recurring symptoms of low mood, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, poor appetite, weight change, fatigue, lack of motivation, loss of libido, aches and pains, an inability to concentrate as well as black emotional episodes and suicidal thoughts.

Obviously not every person with depression will exhibit all of these symptoms. Indeed, depression is commonly divided into three subdivisions of mild, moderate and severe. Acupuncture treatment therefore will depend on the types and severity of symptoms of each person’s depression.

Many people looking to treat their depression turn to Acupuncture and I have treated many such people down through the years. Similar to the actions of anti-depressants, Acupuncture treatment helps to release serotonin in the brain and alleviate symptoms. As a stand alone therapy, Acupuncture, along with other physically therapies such as Massage, is very helpful in successfully treating mild to moderate depressive symptoms. In tandem with Acupuncture & Massage, I often advise exercise and dietary changes also as a way to eliminate and alleviate symptoms.

In cases of severe depression, people who look to Acupuncture for treatment are chronic sufferers and will be on anti-depressant drugs and/or undergoing psychotherapy. In severe depression, Acupuncture has an additive benefit and can be safely combined with conventional medical treatments, helping to reduce their side effects and enhance their therapeutic effects. Many long suffering clients have reported to me that the addition of Acupuncture to their treatment programs has significantly improved their symptoms and reduced the severity, length and frequency of any depressive episodes they have suffered in the past.

If you feel that Acupuncture is something for you in dealing with your depression please don’t hesitate to call us to find out more and to make an appointment.

Stress & Acupuncture

One of the many benefits people feel from their very first acupuncture treatment is a feeling of relaxation and a heightened sense of well-being. In my experience there is no doubt that Acupuncture is a wonderful stress reducer and thus a wonderful form of preventative medicine.

Stress, in and of itself, is not counter-productive to our health. Assuming we have the health to handle physical or emotional stress the saying ‘that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ describes well the importance of stress in our lives to help us grow and achieve.

When stress is short-lived we generally recover quickly. That said however, we can have acute episodes of great stress which have the potential to overwhelm us, or suffer from a state of chronic stress which wears us down gradually, leading to poor health and illness.

Our (sympathetic) nervous system is what helps us deal with stress. Our nervous system is involved in the ‘fight or flight’ response to acute emotional or physical stress. At times of stress, the nervous system secrets a protein, neuropeptide (NPY), which results in constriction of blood flow to all parts of the body except to the heart, lungs and brain. In cases of chronic stress this can cause physical symptoms such as:

• Headaches
• Upset stomach and changes in appetite
• Tense muscles
• Chest pains
• Shortness of breath
• Frequent colds and infections
• Insomnia
• Teeth grinding

There are many emotional and behavioral symptoms associated with stress also:

• Being easily agitated, irritable or moody
• Constant worrying
• Finding it impossible to relax
• Low self-esteem
• Forgetfulness
• Increased use of alcohol and smoking
• Avoidance of others and social situations
• Chronic stress symptoms can lead to elevated blood pressure and cardiac disease.

Studies have found that acupuncture treatment reduces the levels of the NPY protein that is linked to stress. This falls very much in line with my experience of dealing with the various symptoms of stress I see in my clinic. If you’re feeling stressed and are exhibiting any or all of the symptoms listed, please don’t hesitate to call and get yourself back on track to a less stressful and healthier life.

Pregnancy & Acupuncture

Many conditions which routinely crop up during pregnancy are eminently treatable using Acupuncture. In my clinic, I treat woman regularly for pregnancy related symptoms such as morning sickness, back pain, pelvic pain, headaches, tiredness, heartburn, constipation, depression and anxiety as well as high or low blood-pressure. Acupuncture has also been shown to be particularly good at stopping bleeding or spotting in the early months of pregnancy.

Acupuncture is a safe treatment for both you and your baby throughout your pregnancy. Even when there are no problems associated with your pregnancy, intermittent sessions of acupuncture can do wonders for energy levels as well as keeping you and baby well and healthy as your pregnancy progresses. A healthy mother-to-be is better for baby and means uncomfortable symptoms are far less likely to occur.

Moxibustion (a form of gentle heat treatment) is an adjunct to Acupuncture and is very successful treatment for turning breech babies. Often times I have found that just 1 or 2 treatments are all that is needed.

Acupuncture has also been proven effective in clinical trials in helping induce labor after baby’s due date has passed. There are several considerations here in terms of the health of mother and baby and I only use such treatments in consultation with a client’s obstetrician. Treatment is very mild and, when successful, usually results in the beginnings of labor 24 to 48 hours after treatment.

If you are experiencing morning sickness or other difficulties at any time during your pregnancy, please don’t hesitate to call for more information and make an appointment.