Acupuncture for Depression: Does it Work?

The practice of acupuncture goes back thousands of years to B.C. China. This therapy uses the insertion of thin needles into certain areas of the body to encourage various functions. Acupuncture can be used to treat problems like obesity, arthritis, chronic pain and even mental illness. It's important to understand you should always seek the advice of your medical professional before getting acupuncture. Many people use acupuncture for depression as a supplement to their traditional therapy rather than as a substitute for it.

The first thing you should do if you suspect depression is seek the advice of a trusted physician or psychiatrist. You will need to undergo a thorough evaluation to determine whether or not any underlying medical issues are to blame for your symptoms. After that, you will answer a variety of questions about your symptoms, their duration, and their severity. There are different types of depression a person can suffer from, and a proper diagnosis is absolutely crucial for proper treatment. For example, you could have clinical depression, seasonal affective disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder.

Your treatment might include prescription medication and psychotherapy. In addition, your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet, more exercise and less stress. At this point, after your depression has been adequately diagnosed and is being treated, you might want to consider the use of acupuncture to enhance the results of your program. Some doctors can do acupuncture. If your doctor does not offer this, you will need to find a qualified practitioner licensed to practice acupuncture.

Acupuncture for depression is thought to stimulate the feel-good hormones in the brain, which include endorphins and serotonin. Not only that, but acupuncture can help regulate thyroid function and even increase weight loss for overweight individuals. There are hundreds of uses for this form of alternative medicine. If you are suffering from depression and anxiety and have already received a diagnosis and treatment plan, you may also want to consider adding acupuncture to your therapy. While it might sound painful, this procedure is more time consuming than painful, taking around 45 minutes to one hour per session. You may require regular sessions to get the maximum benefit. Acupuncture has been proven effective for thousands of years, so it's definitely worth a shot!

Copyright 2007 James D. Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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