Acupuncture for Depression
Acupuncture For Depression
Depression can affect you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Individuals who are depressed typically report lack of interest in life and activities that they normally enjoy. Our natural remedies for depression assist you in restoring your mental health.
Acupuncture is a safe and natural medicine that is a natural alternative to antidepressant medications. Approximately 300 million people around the world suffer from depression. Approximately 15% of adults will experience at least one depressive episode in their life. Acupuncture has the ability to balance and reset your autonomic nervous system.
Acupuncture causes the release of neurotransmitters such as, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and endorphins which positively impact physical and mental health.
Effects of Neurotransmitters on Mental Health
Norepinephrine: Plays a role in the sleep-wake cycle, helping you wake up, maintain attention and focus. Low levels can cause lack of energy, inability to concentrate and even depression.
Serotonin: Commonly known as the "feel-good" hormone. Serotonin stabilizes mood, well-being and happiness. If levels are too low depression and other behavioral and emotional disorders can result.
Dopamine: Dopamine is the other feel-good neurotransmitter and impacts many areas of health such as, learning, motivation, sleep, and movement.
GABA: Naturally produced in the brain and reduces activity of neurons in the brain and central nervous system. This results in increased relaxation, reduced stress, calmness, and improved sleep.
Endorphins: A group of chemicals work together and interact with the opiate receptors in the brain. This reduces our perception of pain and stress.
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Depression
Chinese herbal medicine has been widely used as a natural treatment for depression for centuries.
Chinese herbal medicine has been shown to address individual causes of depression and has less side effects than antidepressant medication.
We use evidence-based recommendations to positively impact your mental health. Our natural medicine techniques include:
Natural Medicine for Depression
Food and Drink Recommendations
Diets that are rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and limit processed foods are associated with a decreased risk of depression. Diets that contain high consumption of processed foods, limit intake of fruits and vegetables and are high in sugar are associated with increased risk of depression and other mental health issues..
Movement Recommendations
Regular movement and exercise is associated with a greater reduction in depression symptoms compared to no treatment, placebo and even some mediations.
Lifestyle Recommendations
Goal setting, positive thinking and trying new things can promote chemical changes within the brain. These positive changes can create feelings of happiness and enjoyment which is caused by dopamine release.
Sleep Recommendations
The relationship between sleep and depression is complex. Sometimes depression is caused by sleep issues such as insomnia and other times sleep issues cause depression. Learn how we use acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and natural medicine to improve sleep.
Other Recommendations
Additional recommendations can include; aromatherapy, gratitude practice, herbal therapies, mediation, relaxation, yoga, and many other holistic, relaxing and restorative therapies.