Due to hectic lifestyles and various life issues of today’s world, many people face depression and anxiety issues nowadays. Some people believe that it is possible to use acupuncture for anxiety and depression related problems.
For those who are wondering about acupuncture, it is an alternative medicine, which originates from China. Dating back to 5,000 years ago, it also includes other areas such as diet, lifestyle and herbology counseling for treatment purposes. Considering the strong link between the body and mind, the state of the mind may influence a person’s physical health.
Likewise, the physical ailments of a person can effect his or her emotions and mental health. In relation to this, anxiety and depression can lead to many types of serious physical sicknesses, if not treated properly and allowed to worsen. Anxiety cases can vary from simple ones to more serious ones like post-traumatic stress or PSTD and panic attacks. Chest pain, increased heart rate and shortness of breath are all indications of anxiety.
To treat anxiety in acupuncture, the pulse and tongue of the patient is checked beforehand to figure out the pattern of anxiety. Most of the cases have something to do with the heart and kidney. Since heart is classified as the Fire organ and kidney is termed as the water organ, both of these organs should be in proper balance. Any excess of Fire can result in heat related problems in a person’s body. This could lead to a disturbed mind.
In relation to this, body or auricular acupuncture can be used to treat anxiety. Among the body organs, the liver is thought to play an important role for the distribution of vital energy or qi. An estimate of 20 percent of a country’s population is thought to undergo depression at some juncture of their lives. When a person is depressed, he or she may feel extremely tired. A person may want to do something but he or she may feel the lack of energy to do so due to depression.
In terms of energy channels, there are fourteen such channels from the liver. If any particular were stagnant or blocked, then, it would have low flow of vital energy. This may cause sleep related problems, lack of proper digestion and so forth. Hence, the main focus for treatment of depression is liver in acupuncture. Other secondary organs are heart and spleen. Qi is the term used for vital energy in acupuncture.
The cause of low vital energy flow could be due to a stagnant or blocked area in the body. As such, the objective is to bring about proper energy flow into the affected area of energy. The blocked area is unblocked for proper energy flow from the liver. For better results, taking any mind and body exercises such as yoga, tai chi and qi gong with regular acupuncture treatments would be a good idea.
Normally, hair thin and sterile needles are used in acupuncture. These needles are usually not used twice. Although it might seem painful with the using of needles but generally, acupuncture is painless. Apart from treating anxiety and depression, acupuncture can also be used for treating other illnesses. It has been practiced in the East for years to cure many forms of ailments faced by people, bringing back their vitality and energy.
A skilled practitioner can use acupuncture for stress and anxiety. Acupuncture is based on Eastern principles and is safe and natural.