Acupuncture for Depression

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.

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.

acupuncture for depression 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 treatment.

All what you need is to find a professional, certified acupuncturist, and visit her/him once a week for treatment. 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.

Never quit your medication without a consultation with your doctor. After a couple of weeks, when you feel improvement you can consult about reducing your medicines slowly and/or switching to herbal remedies, like St John's wort. It is a good idea using acupuncture and herbs 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 self-help measurements,
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.

Pt.4.- The point is directly between your eyebrows. (Third Eye Point, Yintang, GV 24.5)

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?

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This site is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. If you feel that you have a health problem, you should seek the advice of your Physician or health care Practitioner.