Acupuncture for depression
In our Center for TCM & Acupuncture we offer acupuncture as an effective method against depression and various depressive disorders. Through treatment with acupuncture, patients are more relaxed, have less anxiety, feel more balanced and sleep improves.
Acupuncture releases endorphin
When the needles are placed, the body releases the happiness hormone endorphin. In addition, the autonomic nervous system is influenced, the muscles relax, breathing is calmer and the heart beats slower.
Acupuncture effective against depression
A meta-study evaluated those 20 out of a total of 207 clinical studies that met the scientific requirements and concluded that acupuncture is an effective method for treating various forms of depression.
The efficacy of acupuncture as monotherapy in improving clinical response and reducing symptom intensity in major depressive disorder is comparable to that of antidepressants, but not different from that of Sham acupuncture.
In the treatment of post-stroke depression, acupuncture was even superior to antidepressants. In addition, side effects were significantly lower with acupuncture than with antidepressants.
(The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy in depressive disorders, J Affect Disord, July 24, 2009, online publication).
