Acupuncture Relieves Depression

Depression, a common mental health disorder, is one of the top causes of disability globally, according to Acupuncture Times. Studies have shown that acupuncture can be an effective therapy sans side effects compared with drug therapy, which can have limited efficacy and adverse reactions, along with cognitive behavioral therapy and neuromodulation technology as a treatment for depression.

Major depressive disorder impacts 17.3 million American adults, or seven percent of the U.S. population, every year, according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Depression is the top cause of disability worldwide — a major contributor to the global burden of disease.

One recent study has shown that acupuncture can act either as an adjunct to anti-depressants or can act as a single treatment to suppress depressive symptoms. Acupuncture has many benefits over anti-depressants. Those benefits include fast onset and long-term efficacy. They can also enhance the effects of antidepressants when used in conjunction.

Many people suffering from depression experience side effects with medication such as:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Fatigue
• Tremors
• Weight gain
• Excessive sweating

If acupuncture can be used to relieve depression, at least in part, fewer patients would have to rely solely on medication.

Another study explored the effects of acupuncture treatment at acupoints Yintang (GV29) and Baihui (GV20) on NLRP3 inflammasome located in the prefrontal cortex of rats. The rats that went through chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for a total of six weeks exhibited depressive-like behaviors due to the open field test’s sucrose preference and locomotor activity.

Researchers concluded that depressive-like behavior in stressed-out rats could be reversed by acupuncture treatment. The conclusion was that acupuncture features antidepressant-like effects due to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and apoptosis within the PFC.

Many other studies over the years have shown a decrease in depression with acupuncture, as well as reduction in the number of migraines and even a reduction in depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

Contact Metro Detroit Acupuncture

To learn more about how acupuncture by Detroit’s leading acupuncture and pain management clinic can ease your depression symptoms, contact us at (248) 432-2846. As a safe and effective alternative to anti-depressants, acupuncture – when done right by a qualified professional – can give you relief from depression at any age.