By Jessica Guerra, L. Ac, AP
Acupuncture may sound like a new and radical way to combat illness, but the reality is that is has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of health issues. Acupuncture is an ancient form of healing that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It the last few decades it has begun to find its place in the West as well. Today, many people use acupuncture to treat physical pain, but did you know it has been shown to effectively treat stress, depression, and other mental health problems as well?
Mental health
When we talk about mental health, we are talking about more than just emotions, although those are included. We are also talking about our psychological and social well-being. Our mental health affects how we feel, think, and act. It determines how we handle our daily tasks, how we relate to the world around us, and the choices we make.
Throughout our life, we will experience ups and downs. Our thinking, our mood, and our behavior are affected by what happens to us and around us. How we react, how we process, how we recover, and how we go forward are all aspects of our mental health, yet we neglect this part of a “healthy lifestyle” all too often.
The truth is mental health problems are common and they are treatable. Millions of Americans suffer from this type of health problem. The good news is that there are many effective treatments that can help you feel better available. Though you may not be able to change the circumstances that are causing your depression, stress, or anxiety, you can take steps to protect yourself from reaching a mental health crisis. Adding acupuncture to your wellness plan may be one of the tools that can help you to protect and improve your mental well-being.
Acupuncture for mental health
To help alleviate depression, more and more Americans are turning to acupuncture. It has become a very popular way to help individuals relax and re-energize. It can help with conditions like anxiety, depression, insomnia, tense muscles, headaches, and general pain.
Acupuncture can alleviate stress and depression symptoms by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and improving the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids with bring fresh oxygen to body tissues. This increased oxygen flow eliminates waste products from inside the body and enhances recovery from diseases. Acupuncture also decreases the stress hormone cortisol, lowers blood pressure, reduces the heart rate, and relaxes muscle tissue.1
According to recent studies, acupuncture is a valuable adjunct therapy for those suffering from mental health disorders. A study conducted at the University of Arizona examined the responses of 34 depressed women to acupuncture, generalized acupuncture that didn’t use specific points, and no treatment at all. Of the women who received acupuncture specifically for depression, 43 percent experienced a reduction in their symptoms, compared with 22 percent who received general acupuncture and 14 percent who received no treatment. After eight weeks, over half of the women who received specific acupuncture were no longer depressed.1
Research shows that acupuncture:
• reduces the brain’s sensitivity to stress
• relaxes the analytical brain that causes anxiety
• reduces stress-induced changes in behavior and biochemistry
• reduces inflammation, which can contribute to anxiety and depression
• stimulates production of ‘happy’ and relaxing chemicals (dopamine, serotonin, GABA etc.)
• boosts the parasympathetic nervous system, which is our ‘rest and digest’ system
• regulates levels of neurotransmitters and hormones in order to bring the system back into a relaxed state of balance
• resets the resting brain, which can become dysfunctional in depression
• assists with related conditions such as insomnia and chronic pain, allowing the body and mind to relax2
If you would like more information about the benefits of acupuncture, contact the highly trained professionals at Center for Acupuncture and Holistic Healing in Port Charlotte. The goal at CAHH is to help you achieve optimum health and wellness. You can contact them at 941.626.1992 or visit their website at https://acupunctureholistichealing.com. They are located at 4456 Tamiami Trail unit B16 in Port Charlotte, FL.
Center for Acupuncture & Holistic Healing
4456 Tamiami Trail unit B-16
Port Charlotte, FL 33980
941-626-1992
www.acupunctureholistichealing.com
Source:
1. Zablocki, F. (2021) Acupuncture effective in treatment of mental illness,
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Available at:
https://www.actcm.edu/blog/acupuncture/acupuncture-effective-in-
treatment-of-mental-illness
2. Joe (2019) Acupuncture for mental health – holistic health oxford:
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine in Oxford, Holistic Health
Oxford | Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in Oxford. Available
at: https://holistic-health.org.uk/acupuncture-for-mental-health/
Jessica Guerra, L. Ac, AP
Jessica Guerra is a licensed acupuncture physician. She is licensed by the state of Florida and recognized by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She earned a master’s degree in oriental medicine and a bachelor’s degree in professional health sciences at East West College of Natural Medicine. Driven by her passion for Chinese medicine, she completed an internship in Huangzhou, China in 2012. Jessica has additional certifications in Acupuncture Point Injection therapy and Cosmetic Acupuncture.