According to the World Health Organization, one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Furthermore, there’s a staggering 450 million people around the world who suffer from mental health disorders. Thus, it’s one of the leading causes of ill-health and disability. In the US, about 42.5 million American adults suffer from some mental illness every year. These conditions include depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

 

One of the major concerns of patients suffering from these conditions are the continual use of synthetic drugs as maintenance. There are also side effects to these drugs that can affect a person’s well-being. Prescription drugs only target a specific issue, or have a singular therapeutic effect, that may not address other issues which a person needs to treat. However, mental health disorders affect an individual’s entire being – emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. If you’re looking for a treatment that will address all health concerns connected to your mental health, acupuncture for depression can provide a way for you to achieve holistic healing.

 

 

Studies on Acupuncture for Depression

There have been studies from around the world that confirm the positive health benefits of acupuncture for mental health disorders. John Allen from the University of Arizona and the acupuncturist Rosa Schnyer conducted one such study. They studied the effect of acupuncture for depression on patients for a period of eight weeks. The findings consequently suggested that using acupuncture alone could be effective as other treatments for relieving symptoms of depression.

 

 

How Acupuncture Can Help You Achieve Better Mental Health

Each person suffering from a mental health issue will have a specific treatment method uniquely catered to them. For example, not all patients are the same, as they have different physiologies and unique concerns. If there are 20 people suffering from anxiety, each one of them will have their own customized treatment of different acupuncture points, prescription of different herbs, and different recommendations for diet and lifestyle. This is because Oriental Medicine doesn’t see a mental disorder as just one syndrome to address, it aims to treat various symptoms that affect a person.

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine addresses five elements when it comes to helping a person achieve wellness. These are the following:

 

Water (Kidney) – Connected to feelings of depression and lack of will

Metal (Lung) – Related to sadness or grief

Earth (Spleen) – Correlates to worry, anxiety and pensiveness

Fire (Heart) – Related to over-excitation and mania

Wood (Liver) – Can be connected to stress, anger, bitterness, resentment, frustration and jealousy

 

Your treatment plan will target an imbalance of these elements. In this case, Acupuncture can help treat the root cause of the problem by rebalancing the body’s internal environment. Needles will be inserted at specific points to remove blockages and promote better energy flow in the body. It can then help alleviate symptoms associated with the disorder.

 

 

After an Acupuncture Session

There will be a brief moment of discomfort when a needle is inserted on certain body points. While the needles are there, you will barely feel anything. Some could feel an immediate effect after a session, while people with more chronic ailments would require regular follow-up treatments. The best thing about acupuncture is that it has virtually zero side effects. Those that receive acupuncture for their anxiety see results after just one session. The restoration of balance within the body provides many physical, mental and emotional benefits.

 

 

Book A Session with a Licensed Acupuncturist Now

Santa Barbara Herb Clinic offers a wide variety of holistic healing treatments for modern-day ailments. Here, you can also seek out acupuncture for depression and other similar issues. Your session with our licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner will include a thorough assessment and unique treatment specifically catered to your health concerns. Book a session now and start your journey towards holistic health and wellness.

 

 

References

5 Ways Acupuncture Benefits Your Mental and Emotional Health | Botanica Wellness – http://botanicawellness.com/acupuncture-benefits-mental-emotional-health/

 

Learning & Resource Center Articles | Acufinder – https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Acupuncture+and+Mental+Health

 

Mental Disorders Affect One in Four People | World Health Organization – http://www.who.int/whr/2001/media_centre/press_release/en/

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans Suffers From Mental Illness Each Year
Victoria Bekiempis – http://www.newsweek.com/nearly-1-5-americans-suffer-mental-illness-each-year-230608