The time between the end of November and the beginning of January can cause much sadness — and its closely related cousin depression — to rear its ugly head, especially for those separated from their families or who have bad memories of the holiday season. Thankfully, acupuncture has been proven to be effective in reducing the symptoms associated with depression.
Acupuncture Reduces Score on Depression Scale
In a study conducted in the UK in 2013, MacPherson et al. determined that 33% of their study group treated with acupuncture improved more than 50% on their depression scores. That’s compared with a 29% improvement of those in the study group that received humanistic counseling. While a 4% difference isn’t a lot, the long-term effects yielded very interesting findings. Of the three study groups — acupuncture, humanistic counseling (therapy), and usual care (medication) — there was no statistical difference in their effects at 9–12 months after treatment began.
Electroacupuncture As Effective As Prozac
A different 2013 study, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, found that electroacupuncture — the process of applying an electric current through acupuncture needles when they are inserted in a patient — was just as effective as fluoxetine, the generic name of Prozac. After six weeks, results showed that participants’ levels of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, a neuroprotective protein, were returned to a normal level, regardless if electroacupuncture or fluoxetine was used.
What Do These Studies Mean?
So what’s the conclusion of these two studies? What they really mean is that you have choices or options when it comes to treating depression. Whether you prefer to talk it out, take medication, or choose acupuncture — or a combination — you can find relief from your depression symptoms.
While not exhaustive, these studies are a good start to recognize acupuncture as a viable treatment for symptoms of depression. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to create textbook-style case studies, mostly because there is not a placebo for acupuncture, but by comparing this approach with others to treat the same issue, significant results can be identified.
It should be noted, of course, that depression is a serious issue affecting numerous people, and it should not be self-diagnosed. If you are having feelings of sadness that seem insurmountable, your first call should be to a doctor of psychiatry or a psychologist who can diagnose the issues properly. When it’s time to discuss treatment is when you can consider acupuncture along with the other options.
Get Ready to Feel Better
By placing acupuncture needles at the appropriate locations on the body and either allowing them to sit for a few moments, or by applying electricity to cause subtle vibrations, acupuncture allows the blood to flow naturally, unencumbered. When this blood can get to the areas it’s needed most, healing begins to occur. Patients regularly report increased positive feelings following acupuncture, along with lowered fatigue and increased energy.
Don’t start another year feeling overwhelming sad and lost. This is the time to gain your happiness! If you’ve been dealing with depression, call Harmony and Health Acupuncture at 602-955-5444 to schedule an acupuncture session. We will go through your medical history and discuss both your physical and mental states to create a treatment plan that works for you and with the other steps you’re taking to overcome depression.
