Tag: depression

The acupuncturist inserts fine needles into certain identified acupuncture points on “meridians” which run throughout the body and correspond to certain organs. Meridians can be thought of as a highway of energy, or “qi” in traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture works by getting rid of the roadblocks on this energy superhighway.

When there is congestion on the highway, energy gets backed up. When the meridians are clear (no roadblocks), the qi flows freely. Each meridian “homes” to an organ and each organ has certain associations, such as emotions, body parts, organs etc. For example, the emotion of the liver in Chinese medicine is anger. When the qi is blocked it can cause liver qi stagnation, which can result in anger. It goes both ways, though — when you’re angry a lot, you can block the flow of liver qi.

Western medicine has shown that acupuncture releases endorphins, and activates natural pain killers. Now we see that it affects other biological functions as well. Chinese medicine sees acupuncture as improving functioning by correcting blockages or imbalances in the organs. To read more, please click here.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) states that “Evidence for the use of acupuncture — the Chinese practice of inserting needles into the body at specific points to manipulates the body’s flow of energy — to treat anxiety disorders is becoming stronger.”  To read more, please click here.

In 2011, an article was published on dailymail.co.uk, it says “Acupuncture really can reduce stress levels, scientists claim after alternative therapy experiment.” To read more, please click here.

• Acupuncture ‘reduces’ levels of protein linked to stress.
• Scientists believe this explains the sense of well-being patients receive from ancient Chinese therapy”

According to NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) which is part of the United States National Library of Medicine, a branch of the National Institutes of Health. Some doctors did a clinical review – Acupuncture for Treating Anxiety and Depression in Women: A Clinical Systematic Review. The conclusion is, with respect to six reviewed studies, there is high-level evidence to support the use of acupuncture for treating major depressive disorder in pregnancy. To read more, please click here.

A 2013 article in the Journal of Endocrinology presented the results of a series of animal studies done at Georgetown University Medical Center. These results indicate that Electrioacupuncture stomach 36 (EA St₃₆) blocks the chronic stress-induced elevations in the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (*HPA) axis and the sympathetic Neuropeptide Y (**NPY) pathway, which may be a mechanism for its specific stress-allaying effects. To read the origianl article, please click here.

*HPA axis controls reactions to stress and regulates processes like the immune system, digestion, emotions and moods and sexuality, etc.

**NPY is a peptide secreted during a “fight or flight” response.

With the hectic pace of life, sometimes it’s difficult to recognize that you’re experiencing stress or anxiety. There are some Hidden Signs of Stress and Anxiety.

After reading many articles, we found this one written by Dr Amy Przeworski is very useful and completely agreed by us. We would like to share it here. To read the original article, please click here. 

With the hectic pace of life, sometimes it’s difficult to recognize that you’re experiencing stress or anxiety. Here are some common physical symptoms of stress or anxiety that you may not realize are psychological in origin:

• Frequent headaches. Clenching your jaw; tensing your facial, neck, or shoulder muscles; or grinding your teeth are physical responses to stress that could cause head pain.

• Body aches or tension. When you are exposed to stress, your sympathetic nervous system activates the fight-or-flight response. Blood is then sent to major muscle groups that increase muscle tension and prepare you to fight or flee a situation. If you do not take any action, however, muscles may stay tight and become sore or painful.

• Restlessness, tapping your foot or hand. Stress or anxiety can cause this common nervous habit.

• Gastrointestinal distress. For some people, the gut may be a barometer of extreme stress, leading to diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or upset stomach.

• Acne. Stress increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and increased cortisol can contribute to acne.

• Eczema. Stress and anxiety increase inflammation of the skin, which can trigger or worsen eczema.

• Increased sweating. We sweat when stressed, thanks to hormones such as adrenaline, which is involved in the fight-or-flight reaction.

• Insomnia, nightmares, sleepwalking, or disturbed sleep. Chronic stress increases rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and decreases slow-wave or deep sleep, disrupting cell and body maintenance and repair.

• Frequent illnesses. Stress promotes overproduction of hormones that regulate your immune system and affects your ability to produce the white blood cells that fight infection, weakening immunity and increasing susceptibility to illness.

• Decreased interest in sex, sexual arousal problems, reduced fertility. Stress inhibits gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the body’s main sex hormone, which can lead to reduced sperm count, ovulation, and sexual activity.

• Panic attacks. Stress causes your baseline arousal level to be higher than typical — closer to the level at which people begin to experience panic attacks — which may increase your likelihood of experiencing a panic attack.

Stress or anxiety also can affect your mood and make it more difficult to regulate emotions, causing irritability or mood swings. People who are stressed or anxious may have difficulties with concentration, decision-making, and memory, as well.

In the previous post, we have shared Six relaxation techniques to reduce stress which are recommended by Harvard Medical Publications. In the next post, we will discuss why and how acupuncture helps to reduce stress.