Treating Anxiety &
Depression with Acupuncture
Anxiety is a feeling of fear
in anticipation of a realistic or fantasized
situation while depression is a feeling of
intense sadness that keeps you from
functioning as you normally would. The
western approach to treatment for both
conditions is usually very powerful
pharmaceuticals. In most cases, anxiety and
depression might be suppressed, but the
pharmaceuticals occasionally come with
unwelcome side effects. This type of
treatment focuses on the symptom and does not
take into consideration the entire body. It
does not cure the root of the problem, just
the symptoms of the problem.
 To be
clear, we are not against western medicine.
Western medicine can do amazing things, and
it is a necessary part of your life. Get your
regular checkups, and for serious problems,
go and see your doctors. There are, however,
other ways to treat medical conditions
besides heavy pharmaceuticals. Our bodies are
amazing; they can actually heal themselves if
we give them an opportunity. The simple act
of needling (acupuncture) is just reminding
the body of how it’s supposed to react
and behave. Herbs can be used in conjunction
with acupuncture to send reminders to the
body and further promote balance. The
treatments we provide work with your entire
being, go to the root of the problem, and
have little or no side effects.
Traditional Chinese medicine
views anxiety and depression as pathogenic
factors that become entrenched in the organ
meridian system of the body. These pathogenic
factors are usually based in the liver, which
is in charge of the movement of qi in the
body. Qi, pronounced “chee,” is
the life force energy that flows through your
body. Early life traumas or recent life
stressors remain in the body as a present
factor hindering the free flow of qi. If the
constant stressors from our world are allowed
into our bodies, they constrict the qi in the
liver channel, and perhaps block it
completely. Once the flow of qi is blocked,
or becomes stagnant, both emotional and
physical wellness is compromised. This causes
an internal tension or tightness and will
result in depression, anxiety, mood swings,
sighing, inappropriate anger, frustration and
other symptoms.
The root of anxiety and
depression is not always in the liver, but
occasionally lies in the heart. The heart is
responsible for the spirit of the body. Heart
yin deficiency is seen when the yang rises
up, thus demonstrating imbalance. Because of
this imbalance, the spirit cannot settle down
so you experience symptoms such as difficulty
sleeping or staying asleep, vivid dreams and
heart palpitations.
In both cases, acupuncture
will promote balance in the body. The
blockages will be opened and the qi will be
free to flow as it should. Anxiety will ease
and depression may fade and become
nonexistent. Treatments can even be
administered as a preventative measure to
ensure minor issues are treated before they
become major problems.
 If you
suffer from depression or anxiety,
you’re not alone. Depression and
anxiety are very common. Many of my patients
suffer from some sort of anxiety or stress.
One in particular had dizziness as a result
of her anxiety. Her internal tightness almost
seemed to block the flow to the brain, and
she would get dizzy, weak, fatigued, and have
trouble sleeping. About twenty minutes after
being needled, she would feel a release in
her chest, and fall asleep. After waking, she
would feel very relaxed and calm. The result
was no dizziness, no headaches, no fatigue
and no anxiety. Her life is much happier and
she’s in a better place. That’s
the power of acupuncture.
Beyond receiving acupuncture
treatments, there are other things you can do
to combat anxiety and depression.
Psychotherapy, yoga, certain vitamins and
supplements, meditation, even something as
simple as walking outside can be helpful in
the treatment of anxiety and depression.
Mental discipline is also
important. Our mind is a tool, it should not
control us. It is not who we are. We are our
connection to universal energy. When our mind
takes over, it creates an imbalance. When our
mind takes us to the past, we may have
remorse, guilt or negative emotions. This can
cause us to tumble into depression. When our
mind takes us to the future, we experience
anxiety. We start to worry about what is
going to happen or what could happen. Mental
discipline is just making sure we keep
connected to the moment where we are living.
Be grateful for what you have in this moment
and don’t let your mind go too far into
the future or too far back into the past.
Acupuncture is a very
powerful, safe way of treating anxiety and
depression without the side effects of
pharmaceuticals. If you suffer from anxiety,
depression or just overall stress, please
call to make an appointment. Relief is closer
than you think.
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