Acupuncture for Depression
Many
clinical studies have shown that acupuncture is significantly effective in treating
depression (see below for links to journal articles). Because the cause of many
cases of depression is rooted in hormonal imbalance and dysfunction, acupuncture
is particularly well-suited as a treatment method, as acupuncture has been scientifically
proven to be able to regulate and alter the levels of many different hormones in
the body.
We focus not only on treating the multitude of symptoms of depression, but we also aim to improve
the overall health of the body and to treat its root cause. Such
an approach means that we must examine each individual carefully and tailor every
treatment to the patient. Our methods integrate the knowledge and techniques passed
down through generations of practioners in China and have given us a powerful tool
in helping our patients overcome depression through a safe modality without the
drawbacks of toxic side-effects.
Testimonials
For as long as I can remember, I suffered from depression. Like most people with the condition, there were times when I felt basically well and other times when I coudl barely get out of bed. I saw psychiatrists on and off and self-medicated with too much alcohol and marijuana.
In 2002, my depression got so bad that I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, where I stayed for a month. After leaving, I began to aggressively seek relief with the help of a psychiatrist. Between 2002 and 2009, I tried many combinations of medications. They did help somewhat, but I had to suffer with significant side effects, including insomnia and weight gain, as well as never really "getting better."
Earlier this year I was seeing Dr. Chen for a shoulder condition that began as a side effect to a psychiatric medication. After getting significant relief using acupuncture, I asked Dr. Chen if she could help with my depression.
With only a few visits, the condition improved markedly - farm more than I got from years of psychiatric medications. To my surprise, my psychiatrist had only good things to say about acupuncture. H has been working with me to reduce the amount of medication I take. Despite the lowered dose, I am feeling better than any time I can remember. My expcatation is to get off of all my medications within the next few months!
Beyond improving the obvious symptoms of depression, the treatments have markedly improved problems that I didnt' realize were related to my depression. In particular, I have long had to sleep more than a normal amount and still woke up tired and groggy. I am now sleeping no more than seven hours a night, wake up without an alarm, and feel great.
BWS
New York, NY
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I hope that this week will be the last week I will have to visit Dr. Chen. I say
that not because I was unhappy with her treatment (it was excellent), but because
I have been battling depression for the past 15 years and I feel like I have finally
defeated it once and for all. To give a little background, I was diagnosed with
depression over 15 years ago and in that time span, I have taken SSRIs which worked
very well at first. After being on them for several years, like many others, their
effects on me started to wane. Even after upping the dosage of some very toxic antidepressants
like Prozac to their maximum dosages and experiencing nasty side effects like insomnia
and anorexia, I was drifting back into depression. My doctors tried some SNRIs with
Lorazepam which helped me slightly. My brother in law, who tried acupuncture in
Texas told me about acupuncture and I decided to give it a try. I found Dr. Chen
through the internet and decided that I had nothing to lose to try. After just the
first treatment, I slept better than I had slept in decades. I felt my energy come
back and that just started a positive chain reaction in my life. I was told that
I should start seeing lasting results in just several weeks, but I diligently went to treatments twice a week for three months. Now, I feel so much better. I have
the energy to exercise and I eat much better. The acupuncture jump started a healthy
lifestyle for me which I think will help me sustain my sanity. I am still taking the antidepressants but I am thinking about asking my doctor to possibly reduce
the dosages. Thankfully, Carol
-Acupuncture for Depression in New York City: Testimonial (Source: Citysearch) |
Scientific Literature
- Acupuncture was found to be able to alter the levels of hormones and enzymes involved
in depression. (more)
- Acupuncture was found to alter the proliferation of cells in the hippocampus of
the brain, a key element in many cases of depression. (more)