Acupuncture Side Effects

Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicine - dating back nearly 8,000 years in ancient China. Acupuncture is the art of inserting tiny needles into specific locations on the body and can cure many different diseases, including asthma, insomnia and hypertension. It is believed that acupuncture can successfully treat over 40 different common health problems - but can we treat depression?

Depression is the most common emotional conditions in the U.S. - which affect, to some extent, some 11 million people each year. Depression is more common in women, affecting about 20% of women, against about 10% of men - although men are more likely to commit suicide when depressed. The disease costs $ 40 billion per year in treatment costs and lost productivity.

Research suggests that acupuncture can help treat depression - although there is little firm evidence to date. A major study was conducted by the National Institute of Health in 1998 - the study found that people with depression who were treated by acupuncture enjoyed a 40% reduction in their symptoms. Other studies have produced similar results - those treated with acupuncture were more likely to be cured than those treated with conventional drugs or therapy.

According to the Chinese wisdom, a person's body and mind are both part of the same system. Acupuncture treats both the body and mind at the same time, rather than separating the two. The goal of acupuncture treatment is to try to balance the body's vital energy, by skillful placement of needles. The concept of life energy is important to our overall sense of well-being - a person with a reduced flow of life energy will tend to suffer from stress or depression.

Acupuncture is effective because it tends to work on the overall health of a person, rather than treating a disease or condition. It is also considered a natural remedy, it is recommended for its lack of side effects, rather than drugs. Medications can effectively treat depression, but often have side effects and may introduce toxins into the body. Most doctors recommend acupuncture with therapy to treat depression or anxiety.

Acupuncture helps treat depression by allegedly unblocking the blocked body energy lines - or meridians. Once the lines of energy are released by placing the needle in the right place on the body, energy can flow freely through the body and all that negative symptoms are the body will be deleted.

It is likely that acupuncture is effective in treating depression, because it stimulates the central nervous system and increases the production of natural chemicals. These chemicals, which include enkephalins and endorphins, are partly responsible for a person's sense of well-being.

Acupuncture has many advantages when it comes to treating depression and other conditions. There are no side effects and without danger of addiction. Most practitioners also recommend exercise, healthy eating and living with acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture also helps a person to sleep better, and reduces muscle tension and pain.

In addition, treated for depression with acupuncture is fast - usually positive results can be achieved simply by multiple sessions over several weeks rather than a course of antidepressants that can take several months.

Many people say they feel better and have more energy after just one treatment. And that acupuncture has a tendency to treat the real cause of depression - there are good chances that treatment can prevent a person suffering from depression in the future. Those who have been treated for depression with acupuncture in general stat.