Depression is a common occurrence
and can be debilitating depending on its severity. In some cases, depression is
brought about by low self esteem. For others, it is deeper and more
pathological. Whatever the causes may be, one thing is for certain, depression
causes people to lose hope and suicidal thoughts can prevail.
For some cultures, depression is
likened to being attacked by an evil spirit and they will attack that spirit
through their own unique treatments. In history, depression was treated by a
witch doctor performing chants and dances designed to drive away the evil
spirit. In some, trephining, or excising holes into the skull to release the
demons, was used.
It is in China that depression
treatment approach was through acupuncture; the practice continues and is
considered an alternative treatment to depression.
The main
idea about acupuncture and depression is the balancing of yin and yang. Any imbalance
can disrupt the psychic flow as well as the flow of bodily fluids. When the
psychic energy starts disrupting the physical, the Qi is imbalanced and the
only way to undo that imbalance is to attempt to re-balance it. These
disruptions can be corrected by acupuncture.
A
treatment involving the Qi, focuses on the Four Gates where two sets of points
in the body will be located for the target of the large intestine, the hand,
the liver and the foot.
There may be additional balancing points like
that of the stomach and spleen which are useful to balance the production of Qi
in the body. Once the Qi has achieved a balance, the energy levels level out
and restoration of self-esteem is established.
A lot of
people swear to the efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of minor to
moderate depression. Critics or sceptics boil it down to psychological
satisfaction. When the psyche is satisfied because much attention has been
granted it, it can correct the imbalance and give a (temporary?) relief.
There are
a lot of questions on the acupuncture approach but no one can really dispute
the fact that a lot of people feel satisfied with the relief from depression
that it gives. Several sessions of acupuncture treatments are encouraged for
the balance to be completely restored.
Doctors
warn that even if acupuncture works for certain individuals it is still not a
medically accepted and approved technique. Talk to the attending physician or
psychiatrist and see what their opinions are regarding the technique.
Some
doctors do not prohibit acupuncture and may actually encourage it as it gives
deep psychological satisfaction to patients. And when used in conjunction with
medically approved therapies, the prognosis for a reversion is quite possible.
