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Acupuncture and Depression

Everyone knows that Christmas can be a very hectic and stressful time of the year. Even though it is the season to be jolly, it’s not a happy time for everyone. The World Health Organisation (WHO) lists acupuncture as a recognised treatment for depression, so if you’re feeling fed-up or dejected it can help treat the condition.

Currently there are an estimated two million people a year in the UK suffering from depression*. Research shows that one in 20 of us visit our GP because of the condition, making it a modern day epidemic.

Many people are unaware that acupuncture has a long history of use in the treatment of psychiatric disorders in China. It is now increasingly being used both on its own and in conjunction with other therapies, such as psychotherapy and antidepressants, in the UK.

How can acupuncture help?

Chinese Medicine acknowledges that emotional factors play a part in health and that emotional life cannot be separated from the physical. Acupuncturists talk about seven main emotions: joy, worry/overthinking, anger, sadness, grief, fear and fright. It is human nature to experience these feelings – the real problem occurs when we experience them to an excessive degree or don’t experience them at all. For example, a person can get stuck in anger due to harbouring resentment over many years, which in turn may manifest in physical or emotional conditions such as anxiety, depression, or insomnia.

Neil Quinton, acupuncturist and British Acupuncture Council member explains how it can help: “My experience has shown that acupuncture has a lot to offer people suffering from all kinds of depression. It really can be an effective alternative treatment for the condition. I have seen many patients change their lives and move on from a very difficult period - it’s as though acupuncture acts as a catalyst for change. Because it regulates the body’s functioning and with the interconnectedness of mind and body, patients always find that as they feel better their physical complaints improve too.

Research into acupuncture and depression

* A double blind study was conducted among women suffering from depression. The results found that acupuncture was significantly better in treating depression than either sham acupuncture or no treatment at all (1998, Allen et al)
* A further study (2000) found that acupuncture gave signifcant clinical improvement to depression sufferers. The patients were treated by true acupuncture ten times in two weeks and when compared to sham treatments showed a marked improvement. It was found to be especially good for treating anxiety symptoms (2000, Eich et al)
* A 1998 study at University of Arizona into the treatment of depression in 33 women by acupuncture was fairly widely reported in the acupuncture profession and elsewhere. The study found that 64% of the women experienced full remission of depression following depression-specific acupuncture treatment, appearing to show that acupuncture can provide significant symptom relief at rates comparable to standard treatments such as psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy.
* A 2004 study found that acupuncture was an effective treatment for depression during pregnancy. (University of Stanford)

As with all health care treatments, it’s important to find a registered and qualified practitioner. To find a practitioner in your area call the British Acupuncture Council on 020 8735 0400 or visit www.acupuncture.org.uk

BAcC practitioners are available for interview, expert comment and case histories.

For further press information please contact
Paul Joseph or Kristel Valaydon at Republic PR
Tel: 0207 379 5000 Email: firstname@republicpr.com

* www.depressionalliance.co.uk ‘depression’ 2004

About the BAcC:
The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) has a membership of over 2,800 professionally qualified acupuncturists. It is the UK’s largest professional body for the practice of acupuncture.

BAcC members practise a traditional, holistic style of acupuncture diagnosis and treatment based on a system developed and refined over 2,000 years. To achieve BAcC membership, practitioners must first undertake extensive training in traditional acupuncture (minimum three years full-time or part-time equivalent), which includes physiology, anatomy and other biomedical sciences appropriate to the practice of acupuncture.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an Oriental therapy that aims to improve the overall wellbeing of the patient, rather than treating specific symptoms in isolation.

Traditional Chinese philosophy states that our health is dependent on the body’s motivating energy - known as Qi - moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of meridians (channels) beneath the skin.

For any number of reasons, Qi may become unbalanced and lead to illness. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy or Qi, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body’s own healing response and help restore its natural balance.