The Different Eastern And Western Explanations For Why An Acupuncturist Might Be Able To Help

 

There are a lot of things that alternative therapies claim to be able to help with, and while some people swear by them others are skeptical. In the case of acupuncture, the use of needles inserted gently into the skin, which is a traditional Chinese approach now widely practiced worldwide, there is a lot of evidence to suggest it does work. There are even acupuncturists who work on pets to treat various conditions, and naturally this wouldn't have any results at all if the results in humans were psychosomatic – a dog doesn't know that the needles are used to help with his arthritis after all! Acupuncture is used for many different things, from pain relief to fertility treatment, but one very common use is in patients with depression.

So, while it seems acupuncture often does work, what are the explanations as to why it can ease depression in humans? The Eastern explanation and Western explanation vary significantly, with one being quite 'mystical' and the other fairly scientific. Here we compare the two:

The Eastern Reasoning Behind Acupuncture for Depression

 

The traditional explanation for why these techniques work in Chinese medicine is that health and disposition are governed by the flow of energy, which in these theories is known as 'Qi', around the body. There are meridiens in the body which energy flows around, and when there is an imbalance or blockage, Qi doesn't behave properly, causing illnesses like depression. By using needles to stimulate the paths of the Qi around the body, it is believed to be possible to remove these blockages and make Qi flow in a more optimal way, making the patient begin to recover as balance is restored inside them.

The Western Reasoning Behind Acupuncture for Depression

 

In Western medicine, where acupuncture is becoming ever more popular, the theory is different, though doesn't necessarily contradict the Chinese explanation involving Qi. It is thought that the acupuncture sites used stimulate electrical activity which stimulates the nervous system and activates glands. This can cause changes in hormonal activity, meaning that your body may be told to release endorphins, which have a powerful pain killing effect (stronger than morphine even, it is believed), and make you feel good. Serotonin levels can also be raised, which is one of the key factors in treating depression, and why acupuncture is seen by many professionals as a viable drug free treatment.

As you can see, even if you are skeptical about holistic medicine on the whole, and don't really believe in the idea of Qi being the cause of things like mental illness and back pain, there are reasonable scientific answers as to why acupuncture is at least worth a try for many patients. If you suffer from depression and can't or don't want to use medication to treat it, or want something to supplement your antidepressants, acupuncture can be a good thing to look into. Many doctors are now very open to recommending or discussing this kind of treatment, so talk in the first instance to your general practitioner or the doctor who is treating your depression at present.

The author of this post, Nancy Baker, is a freelance blogger who is currently a part of the team at CT Acupuncture, a center that provides acupuncture in Darien CT. She has a keen interest in learning about different holistic treatments and enjoys sharing her thoughts and opinions. You can also follow her on Twitter @Nancy Baker.

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