Acupuncture for Pacifying a Worried Mind
Acupuncture is much more than the "joint pain" medicine. Used by Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners for thousands of years, acupuncture can be used to treat the whole person, including the troubled mind.
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Tom Ingegno M.A.O.M., L.Ac March 20, 2005
But what many don't know is that acupuncture can do more than treat joint pain. Acupuncture is a part of a broader Chinese medical system that is capable of treating the patient's overall health by balancing the body's Qi, or natural energy. By painlessly inserting needles the width of three or four strands of hair, the acupuncturist opens energy channels running throughout the body. By balancing the body's energy, acupuncture allows the body's innate healing potential to take over, helping the body to correct a wide array of problems.
With over 28 million Americans taking some type of prescription antidepressant or anti-anxiety pill and with questions being raised about the side effects of some of the medications used, a natural method of treatment is a much needed and welcomed choice.
Acupuncture has a long history of being used to treat emotional imbalances. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture's ability to treat anxiety and depression without medications or side effects.
Rest and Digest: Activating the Parasympathetic nervous system
Studies have shown a myriad of positive effects from acupuncture with regard to the improvement of anxiety and depression. The biggest benefit of treatment is acupuncture's ability to activate the patient's parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous response is the opposite of the sympathetic nervous response commonly known as the “fight or flight” response.
During the parasympathetic state, which is sometimes called the “rest and digest” response, muscle tissue relaxes, breathing and heart rates drop, blood vessels dilate, digestive activity increases, and a person's brain waves enter a state similar to deep sleep or meditation. During this state the brain receives more fresh blood, which is full of nutrients, oxygen and naturally produced “feel good” neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
Most patients report a feeling of well-being and better ability to deal with problems after treatments. This period of relaxation also has been shown to raise immune system function which commonly is lowered in people with depression. On a biochemical level studies have shown that acupuncture can raise the levels of a precursor of norepinephrine which is lower in people who suffer with depression. (Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1994, 14:14-18.)
Other Chinese studies have shown acupuncture to be more effective than Elavil (tricyclic amytriptyline) in the treatment of certain types of depression. (Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 1988, 8(2):77-80 [in Chinese].)
The effects of acupuncture are cumulative and will be continued after the needles are removed. Patients will notice a gradual decrease in symptoms and an increase in well being. The end goal of acupuncture is to give the patient the ability to deal with the root cause of the depression without medication or side effects.
What to expect
Since each patient is treated as an individual, it is hard to describe exactly what will be done each treatment for every patient. Most treatments will be very relaxing and some patients may even fall asleep. Occasionally, a patient might have an “emotional release,” feeling suddenly angry, sad, and happy or reliving some past experience in their minds.
These reactions are entirely normal and should be expressed by the patient as this may help to resolve past issues which are affecting the patient's present condition. Patients may be advised to receive 1 or 2 treatments a week to start, but normally as they improve treatments can decrease in frequency.
It is difficult to say how many treatments or how long each patient will need because every patient is different, but it is something a person should discuss with their acupuncturist. With any condition the acupuncturist may suggest that patients receive some additional support and may refer to a psychologist or counselor to further help the patient. In most cases acupuncture can be used as a stand alone therapy but may have better results in conjunction with other therapies.
With more Americans becoming aware of the side effects of drugs and the safe benefits of acupuncture, it is no wonder that acupuncturists are treating more than just “joint pain” and patients are finding a system that addresses all aspects of their being.
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