[Lillian Terry]

I would like to try a natural treatment for my depression. I have been diagnosed two years ago and I want to decrease my medications. I don't like the idea of relying on drugs to help me in this ordeal. Is acupuncture a good choice?

[kprocivic]

Never dealt with acupuncture, have dealt with a girlfriend diagnosed with depression. It is serious and I hope you are able to get the help you want through whatever means. Good luck.

[overcoil]

My friend uses acupuncture for I think back pain or it could be hip pain...
His wife is a neurologist (MD) don't know what her feelings are on acupuncture - but it seems she hasn't precluded him from using it.

He did say that he gets different results from different acupuncturist.

[anvilromp]

have tried acupuncture once but didn't know it could treat depression.

[radiofrequency]

Originally Posted by Lillian Terry

I would like to try a natural treatment for my depression. I have been diagnosed two years ago and I want to decrease my medications. I don't like the idea of relying on drugs to help me in this ordeal. Is acupuncture a good choice?

I am sorry to hear about your depression. I have used Acupuncture to treat severe blunt trauma injury. I was a competitive athlete in my youth, and a soldier for 10+ years, many of the injuries I suffered came back to haunt me as I got older. Please note that I am not attempting to provide you with medical advice, but merely responding to your post.

After a severe bicycle related accident in 2012, my neurosurgeon recommended a cervical fusion (neck). Understanding the complexities of this type of surgery (based upon my profession), and the recovery period, with the associated dangers of incurring chronic pain for the rest of my life, I decided against the fusion.

Basically, I changed everything in my life, as I was severely depressed, and I truly understand just how difficult it is to pull yourself out of that very dark place, so I empathize with you. With respect to my neck pain, I started seeing an Acupuncturist, 1 to 2 times a week. I can state objectively, that it helped me. Here's the strange part, my depression slowly lifted over a period of many months. Can I attribute this solely to the acupuncture? Probably not, as during this period I decided to change everything in my life except for my job.

Acupuncture is not painful at all, and a side effect is that you are forced to lie still during the treatment. My Acupuncturist has a very simple and basic office, the treatment area is in semi darkness and very quiet. This environment allowed me to fully relax, something I had a great deal of difficulty with at the time (and still do). It was so peaceful and the feeling of being "refreshed" upon departing was something new and wonderful for me. I dismissed it during the first few visits as placebo, but it slowly dawned on me that this was a side effect of the therapy. Read more here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...ion-yes-please

I also learned during this period that really only 20% of the work required to overcome depression is done in the Therapist's office, I had to do 80% of the work at home. This is when I decided to change everything. I started with diet and decided on a "lifestyle diet - No Sugar, No Grains or NSNG (Google it). I changed my training regimen, I had stopped working out completely, this from a competitive triathlete, Ironman competitor etc, etc... I also did the work on my mental state at home, this is where it becomes tricky, this is very, very hard to accomplish. In the USA, patients want a pill to fix problems, and IMHO, working with a Therapist and my Internal Medicine Physician, both very caring, smart and thoughtful people, we decided against meds. This is a personal choice, I am not trying to advise you, but if you spend time on the literature, meds are not the way to go to accomplish life-long mental health.

During the work, I stumbled on Brooke Castillo and follow her. What does Brooke do? She is a Life Coach and she really gets to the core of what we can control, and all we can really control are our thoughts - if you have 25 minutes listen to this: https://thelifecoachschool.com/1/ This changed my life, as, fundamentally, I realized that the thoughts creating my depression were something I could change. She has a unique approach, her Podcasts are free, and also available on iTunes.

Why am I sharing this with you? I've seen others suffer from depression for years, stuck in the cycle of meds and therapy, with their lives on hold, so if I am able to share relevant information to help others, I will. Will these formulas work for you, I don't know. What is relevant is that Acupuncture started it all for me, I was able to be in a relaxing and peaceful place, away from work, children, spouse and the rigors and stresses of daily life. It also felt great afterwards, a mental lift if you will think of it that way. It was the catalyst that moved me toward the "work". I say this as you will need several tools in your toolbox to beat this, not just one thing, for me the one I reach for the most is acupuncture, then the daily work using Brooke's formula, then the NSNG lifestyle diet combined with intermittent fasting, and adaptive physical training using Touchfit (https://thelifecoachschool.com/1/).

I wish you well in your journey, and a speedy recovery!

[Lillian Terry]

Thank you for your replies. Actually, I am also going to counseling. The online sites are very helpful like BetterHelp, Psych Central and Psychology Today. Been reading some articles on natural ways to manage depression too. That's where I got the idea of acupuncture can help depressed clients.

[anvilromp]

That's good news. I hope everything goes well with you

[UncleWede]

If you are coming to the alternative side, don't discount the value of learning some stuff from yoga. Maybe what radiofrequency posted will work better, but he points to the mental side of it. Yoga can teach you some tools to control breathing, and asana practice, when done just near your limits, requires so much mental attention to the physical, you don't have time for depressed thoughts.

The toughest part of all this, you seem to already be dealing with: the first step in a new direction.

Breathing is my favorite part I learned. As an example, now that the unheated pool is down to the 50s, I do a series of 3-minute plunges, along with either sauna or Jacuzzi alternating. I'm now able to reduce my respiration to about 2/min. Slowing down forces you to pay attention to the internal life force.

[smoosh]

Could you provide more information? What have you tried? How did it work? Does the depression wax and wane throughout the day? Age? Weight? Sleep habits? Nutrition habits? Hobbies? Blood pressure? Any conditions? Family history of depression?

Not to undermine what you're going through at all, but I've found many underlying symptoms of depression or depressive tendencies tend to relate to the afirementioned factors. I'd want to make sure all the above boxes are checked (i.e., nutriton's balanced, weight is under control, activity level is optimal) before you seek "special" (or specialized, you could say) treatment options. It'll certainly be more effective and sustainable at getting depression under control.

[overcoil]

^

Yes, his reply was an excellent read, helpful for all.

[uniqueMR]

I do agree with most and strongly believe counseling/talking is much helpful.
Haven't heard anyone using acupuncture for depression.

[tennessee]

don't think acupuncture can do much for depression though... better go seek therapy.

[mccoy817]

I know depression can also be physically tiring with all the sleepless night of overthinking and anxiety attack. In that aspect, I think acupuncture can help calm the nerves and ease the body.

[iamvietness]

have you tried CBD oil for depression?

[IM2C]

Acupuncture is junk. There is no scientific mechanism that would make it work.
Feeling better and being objectively better are two different things.

[Performancedieselpros]

L-dopa is pretty good stuff!

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by f80

Acupuncture is junk. There is no scientific mechanism that would make it work.
Feeling better and being objectively better are two different things.

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

Acupuncture has survived since around 100BC, while your modern medicine has been around for 100? So snake oil and pills are obviously MUCH better. Shall we discuss the side-effects of psychotropic drugs, even just in the recent school-shooting era?

[Performancedieselpros]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

Acupuncture has survived since around 100BC, while your modern medicine has been around for 100? So snake oil and pills are obviously MUCH better. Shall we discuss the side-effects of psychotropic drugs, even just in the recent school-shooting era?

Huh.....?

So have cockroaches and mosquitos, but that doesn't always mean effective or useful!

Social media has more psychologically impact than drugs!

[IM2C]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

Acupuncture has survived since around 100BC, while your modern medicine has been around for 100? So snake oil and pills are obviously MUCH better. Shall we discuss the side-effects of psychotropic drugs, even just in the recent school-shooting era?

If you're so into your Shakespeare, lend me your ear:
To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, to throw perfume on the violet... is just fucking silly


So many logical fallacies.

For one, you are making argument from antiquity. Acupuncture being old and surviving has nothing to do with it being effective.
Homeopathy has been around for 3 centuries too, still doesn't work. Wishful thinking.

The problem with "alternative" medicine is that people stop regular treatment and get worse. A lot of times the process is irreversible. That's the harm!

Alternative medicine has either been proven not to work or not proven to work.

Do you know what we call medicine that has been proven to work? MEDICINE!

[UncleWede]

Short of "mechanical" medicine (surgery, partially things like casts and splints) what is it that truly heals? The singularly amazing power of the human body. Antibiotics kill off a certain percentage of the invaders, but ultimately the body cleans up the mess and restores the homeostasis.

So, should we harness the power of the body, via the mind if necessary, to cure? That may be EXACTLY what "alternative" medicine does, for a lot less, and with fewer side effects.

I have never used acupuncture. I have used homeopathics. But I would not imagine that my mind is strong enough to replace my damaged islet cells and cure my diabetes, so I do still use "medicine" I actually prefer using terms like "complimentary" for those you refer to as "alternative" because I do recognize the power of mind over matter.

[Performancedieselpros]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Short of "mechanical" medicine (surgery, partially things like casts and splints) what is it that truly heals? The singularly amazing power of the human body. Antibiotics kill off a certain percentage of the invaders, but ultimately the body cleans up the mess and restores the homeostasis.

So, should we harness the power of the body, via the mind if necessary, to cure? That may be EXACTLY what "alternative" medicine does, for a lot less, and with fewer side effects.

I have never used acupuncture. I have used homeopathics. But I would not imagine that my mind is strong enough to replace my damaged islet cells and cure my diabetes, so I do still use "medicine" I actually prefer using terms like "complimentary" for those you refer to as "alternative" because I do recognize the power of mind over matter.

You have to be the best candidate for placebos!

I agree the power of the human mind and design of the human body is extraordinary especially with something such as depression which is a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Best medicine for depression is healthy lifestyle changes, full cleanses, and exercise and clean eating!

The gym is like a free drug store, dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine all on tap at your disposal and they all contribute to a greater way of life and sense of self.

I get high everyday, on weight at a time!

Cancer is a whole seperate evil though! We ALL are born with the cells in our body, BUT exposures and sheer fate are the biggest factor to whether the devil rears its ugly face or not!

[ACMMegan]

I have tried acupuncture for depression before and I have seen some good results. I did feel a "flow" of energy but even if that's placebo there's something to be said about taking a few mins to lay still and relax.