Depression is a serious disease that typically requires several types of treatment to fully beat it. Acupuncture can be one of these methods and a useful part of your overall care for depression. If you're struggling with this condition or know someone who is, here's why acupuncture is worth a try.

Acupuncture For Depression in the West

Opinions on why acupuncture works differ, but many people agree that it does. The general thought about acupuncture working on depression in the western world is that acupuncture needles trigger the release of endorphins in the body.

Endorphins are like the body's natural pain-killers. When a needle is inserted, the body responds by releasing these chemicals into the brain. They can provide a boost to mood and an overall sense of well-being that often lingers long past the actual treatment itself.

In addition, the overall benefits of acupuncture for depression also include discussing your condition with the acupuncturist. In addition, touch is considered to be helpful for depression, and most acupuncturists will stimulate this by performing light touches to locate the acupoints they're looking for.

Acupuncture For Depression in the East

The original philosophy behind acupuncture is that the body has channels, similar to arteries and veins, in which energy flows. When energy isn't well-balanced or certain types of energy are higher or lower than they should be, the body is thrown into chaos. This often manifests in surprising ways, and depression is considered to be one of them.

From the acupuncturist's perspective, they will be helping you with these imbalances. The needles are used to redirect energy back to where it should be in order to nourish all of your organs. When the organs are receiving the energy that they need, depression and other health conditions fade as a result.

What to Expect

People who have never had acupuncture are often wary of it, but there's really nothing to be concerned about. Your acupuncturist has gone to school for many years to learn how to perform acupuncture. They will only use needles that have come from a sanitary, sealed package, and the skin is typically swabbed with alcohol before insertion to ensure that no infections will be caused.

The needles used in acupuncture are very thin—so much so that you may not even feel them being placed. Once the needles are in, you'll be directed to sit or lie still for a period of time. After a while, your acupuncturist may adjust or move the needles to new locations to further stimulate your energy.

Acupuncture may sound a bit odd, but it has definite benefits regardless of what's really behind the results. If you're looking for a lift to your depression, get in touch with a company like Acupuncture is My Life.