Acupuncture effect on stroke depression

Acupuncture for post-stroke depression

Did you know that depression and anxiety are common among stroke survivors, affecting around one-third of them.

Acupuncture has been extensively studied as a means of aiding stroke recovery. And now specific research has also shown its potential in treating post-stroke depression. Chinese scientists have conducted a comprehensive analysis of various acupuncture studies to determine its efficacy in this regard. Their findings show that acupuncture is as effective as antidepressant medication, with fewer side effects and adverse reactions.

In China it is common to apply acupuncture in the hospitals for post-stroke recovery. And many post-stroke facilities have a team of acupuncturists on board. However, in New Zealand, there may be some practical challenges in applying this treatment. For example, in the early stages of the disease, many post-stroke patients may find it difficult to travel to see an acupuncturist. But for those who are lucky enough to afford an acupuncturist to travel to their hospital for post-stroke rehab, it’s important to talk to your acupuncturist about your mental health. That way, they can design a treatment plan that takes your needs into account!

Acupuncture for PMS, a new study

In 2018 Cochrane collaboration did a review of acupuncture and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).  In an attempt to evaluate current evidence, the researchers searched for high-quality studies and included 5 of them in this review. There was data from 277 participating women included.

Acupuncture and acupressure may improve both physical and psychological symptoms of PMS when compared to a sham control. This rules out that the improvements were due to the placebo effect. There were no reported side effects.

Many interventions have been used to treat PMS, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and hormonal interventions. However, they all come with negative side effects. That’s why acupuncture is such a welcome natural option. The researchers concluded that considering the potential of acupuncture, it needs to be further rigorously studied.

How acupuncture helps with PMS?

Modern  studies have shown that acupuncture may promote the release of specific neuropeptides. This cascades into important physiological effects, even activating your self-repair mechanisms. Furthermore, acupuncture can modulate endogenous opioids, that have similar effect to morphine.

By needling of specific acupuncture points we may alter blood flow to the uterus. It has been shown to modulate prostaglandin levels. These effects can relieve menstrual pain.

Women with PMS have elevated levels of inflammation. And acupuncture can reduce inflammatory markers. This effect may be a primary pathway how it helps with PMS symptoms.

Acupuncture for Depressionhttps://unsplash.com/@paulgilmore_?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText

Acupuncture 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.