https://unsplash.com/@paulgilmore_?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyTextAcupuncture eases severe depression
Are you seeking a more holistic approach to tackle your depression? Imagine a remedy that doesn’t solely rely on popping pills. You may have read the article on stuff.co.nz titled “Needles ease depression“. The article cites a small Australian study, which shows that acupuncture can effectively relieve severe depression. The study, conducted at the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the University of Technology Sydney, showed a significant drop in depression scores among participants post-treatment. Reported results show the average depression score among the group dropped from 30 pre-treatment, a severe rating, to 15 post-treatment, a mild rating.
“What we’ve managed to show is that acupuncture can be a powerful aid to use alongside anti-depressants to help these people,” said Kirk Wilson, a researcher at the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the University of Technology Sydney.
A quick web search has shown that the results of this particular study, even though quite dramatic, are still preliminary. The study is not completed yet.
While the results are preliminary, a separate study, meta-analysis published in the Journal of Affective Disorders supports the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing the severity of depression. Meta-analysis is a sort of study that is quite a lot higher up on the evidence based medicine hierarchy ladder. The researchers reviewed and summarised results of eight randomised controlled trials. They confirmed that acupuncture significantly reduced the severity of depression, which was indicated by decreased scores of Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) or Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
Sceptics may argue that the evidence is limited, but it’s undeniable that exploring alternative treatments, like acupuncture, could open doors to help those who aren’t responding well to conventional approaches and to those, who don’t feel right taking psychiatric medications. The path to well-being may be different for each individual, and the integration of ancient wisdom with modern science could be just the remedy you’re seeking. So, if you’re searching for a natural treatment, consider giving acupuncture for depression a go.
Whereas I’m glad to see positive results wherever we find them, I am continually frustrated by the arrogance of Western society that we insist this oldest and most profound medicine conform to our “modern” standards. It’s kind of like meeting Socrates and saying “Oh yeah? Well if you’re so smart, what do I have in my pocket?” If one wants to see what Chinese Medicine can do, one needs to adopt the humility to “go out to meet it,” as with most things. Western science’s habit of starting from the very colonial position of “I am the authority here. Meet my expectations.” makes it nearly impossible to have any meaningful dialogue with.
Vitalis
Just done a post on latest review paper about depression and acupuncture. Including a link to your site if people are interested in taking it further…. see
I wonder if depression can be completely removed? And does it need to be done in tandem with therapy or counseling?