Acupuncture for Depression and Acupressure
Do you wonder if acupuncture could help your depression? The answer is
definitely YES. It is worth trying acupuncture for depression, hence we
have proven data, that acupuncture treatments can have a calming, mood
elevating effect thus it can be considered as on of the depression cures.
There are more than 2000 acupuncture points on the
body connecting with 12 main and 8 secondary pathways called meridians,
which conduct energy (chi or qi) in our body.
According to the NHI (National Institutes of Health):
'Qi
regulates spiritual, emotional, mental and physical balance. Qi is
influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang. According to
traditional Chinese medicine, when yin and yang are balanced, they work
together with the natural flow of chi to help the body achieve and
maintain health. Acupuncture is believed to balance yin and yang, keep
the normal flow of energy unblocked, and restore health to the body and
mind.'
'Studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain
chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and
neurohormones in a good way.'
At the University of Arizona in
1998 NIH's Office founded a study about the effect of acupuncture
in depression. The results have shown a significant reductions of
depression symptoms in the group, which received depression-specific
acupuncture.
Two advantages of acupuncture, Dr Allen told a seminar
at the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association Conference
in Boston, include no language barrier (a factor for patients who have
difficulty speaking English), and its low cost compared to conventional
treatments for depression.
All what you need is to find a professional,
certified acupuncturist, and visit her/him once a week for natural treatment for depresion.
You will experience a gradual recovery. Not only your mood gets
brighter but all the associated physical symptoms, such as headache,
stomach pain or backache, diminished sexuality, eating disorders, sleep
problems find relief.
Thirty eight subjects who participated in the study were adult women diagnosed with mild to moderate depression. They were treated with acupuncture according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, each for her own specific pattern of symptoms. They were treated twice per week for one month and once per week for a second month, for a total of twelve sessions. After completion of acupuncture treatment for depression, 70% of women experienced at least a 50% reduction of symptoms, results comparable to the success rate of psychotherapy and medication.Eisenberg et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 328, 1993,
Never quit your medication without a
consultation with your doctor. After a couple of weeks of acupuncture for depression treatment, when you feel
improvement you can consult about reducing your medicines slowly and/or
switching to herbal remedies for depression, like St John's wort. It is a good idea
using acupuncture for depression and herbs for depression together, they work more effectively and
enhance each effect.
Acupressure for Depression
Acupuncture has also a simplified
version, which can be used without a professional therapist,
Acupressure. It is one of the best depression self reatment:
whenever you
have a free hand just help yourself balancing your emotions.
Simple Acupressure Tips
Acupressure to your foot with a hairbrush
Tap
your soles with a hairbrush for about 5 minutes. Concentrate mostly on
the place just below the ball of your feet in the center.
Acupressure to your scalp with a wooden comb
You can also use your fingers if a wooden comb is not available. With moderate pressure.
Brush from the centerline of your scalp out to both sides, and
brush from your forehead to the back of your hairline.
Massage your ears
Pull on your ears in different directions with your index finger and thumb. Do this in all areas of your ear.
Breath slowly and deeply while doing this.
This is an outstanding therapy, not only for depression, but many other health problems as well.
Get a chest massage
You do not need a professional, just someone to gently rub your chest to move the blood and energy stuck there.
More Advanced Acupressure Tips
Acupressure
is performed by applying steady, firm pressure on specific points along
the body. The pressure should cause slight aching, but never be
painful. If you prefer, you can rub on the acupressure points. Press or
rub the specific points for minimum 60 seconds three times a day with
your finger or thumb. These spots are identical to acupuncture points
and correspond to and affect other parts of the body.
The
followings are important acupressure points for relieving depression.
You do not have to use all of the points, of course. Use just two or
three of them whenever you feel the need to activate and uplift
yourself.
Points on the HEAD
Following three points are all
located on the top of your head. Pressing them can relieve depression
with accompanying headache and memory lapses.
-
Pt.1.- Find it by
putting your left thumb on the top of your left ear, your right thumb
on the top of your right ear and touching your index fingers together
on the top of your head. Feel for the hollow near the top center of
your head. (One Hundred Meeting Point, GV 20)
-
Pt.2.- Lies one inch in front of Pt.1. (Anterior Summit, GV 21)
-
Pt.3.- Lies approximately one inch behind Pt.1. (Posterior Summit, GV 19)
Next point is located on your forehead. Pressing this calms your emotions and relieves depression.
As you apply steady, firm pressure to this points, relax your body and let your tension and depression slip away.
Points on the NECK
There
are two different, essential points on the nape of neck Pressing
them will help relieve depression, neck tension, headache and
irritability.
-
Pt.5.- These two points (symmetrical on the two
side of the spine) are found just below the base of the skull, in the
hollows between the two large neck muscles. (Wind Point, GB 20)
-
Pt.6.- Located about half inch from the base of the skull on the muscles bordering the spine. (Heavenly Pillar, B10)
Acupressure on these points can relieve fatigue, emotional distress of depression.
Points in the CHEST
Following
three different points in the chest are excellent for all types
of emotional problems. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine
depression is due to repression of certain emotions, such as anger or
guilt. Using this chest acupressure points release of the blocked
energy can occur and feelings can rise freely to the surface of our
consciousness. You may examine this feelings and try to gain a greater
understanding about them.
-
Pt.7.- Located in the groove between
the bottom of the collarbone and first rib where they meet the breast
bone (symmetrical on the two sides of the breast bone). These points
relieve depression, anxiety and breathing difficulty. (Elegant Mansion,
K 27)
-
Pt.8.- These points are located on the outside of your upper
chest, at the level of the first intercostal space (below the first
rib) six inches from the midline of the body. Pressing these will
relieve depression, blocked emotions, breathing difficulty and grief.
(Central Treasury, Lu 1)
-
Pt.9.- This point is found in the middle of
the breastbone, in the level of fourth intercostal space (below the
fourth rib). It helps relieve grief, depression, anxiety, and general
emotional instability. (Chest Center, CV 17)
How could acupuncture or acupressure help you? Share your experience about acupuncture for depression.
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