If you’re struggling to manage your mental health with traditional medicine alone, you may consider alternative treatments like acupuncture. This treatment is available without medical insurance or referral from a doctor. That makes it more accessible and possibly more affordable than prescription medication and many talk or physical therapies.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the most well-known and respected treatments rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. It involves the insertion of thin needles into select points of the body.

It is believed that the needles connect to energy pathways that contribute to overall health and well-being. The needles are inserted at precise points and then gently manipulated by trained practitioners to balance energy flowing through the body.

Research has shown that acupuncture can stimulate the central nervous system. That may explain why so many people believe their pain is relieved and their minds are at ease after an acupuncture treatment.

 

How is Acupuncture Used to Improve Mental Health?

Acupuncture is often used in combination with medication and other conventional treatments for diagnosed mental health issues. You don’t have to choose between the treatments recommended by a medical provider and unconventional or alternative treatments. Acupuncture is a non-invasive treatment that works well with medication, physical therapy, talk therapy, and many other conventional treatments.

Many people find acupuncture relaxing and energizing. They use it to calm their mind and push the pause button on their daily lives. It can lead to enhanced energy, focus, and productivity when participants return to daily life.

 

Acupuncture for Depression and Anxiety

Our modern world gives children, teens, and adults an almost endless list of reasons to stress. That chronic stress has contributed to increasing cases of severe depression and anxiety. If you struggle to manage the stress and relieve these mental health issues without medical intervention, you aren’t alone.

There haven’t been a significant number of scientific studies related to acupuncture and mental health. Those that do exist are mostly centered on the connection between acupuncture and anxiety. One review of the research published in 2018 found that acupuncture is an effective treatment for anxiety that comes with fewer side effects than commonly prescribed medication.

It’s also worth considering one systemic review and meta-analysis of more than 200 scientific studies that was published in 2010. Researchers found that the combination of acupuncture and antidepressants was more effective at relieving the symptoms of major depressive disorder than antidepressants alone. The study also found acupuncture an effective treatment for post-stroke depression.

 

Can Acupuncture Help with Addiction and Substance Abuse Recovery?

While acupuncture shouldn’t take the place of professional detox and recovery programs, it can help with some side effects of chemical dependence. Stress management is critical to long-term recovery, and acupuncture is effective for relaxing the body and mind with long-lasting calming capabilities.

Someone in recovery may also find acupuncture a good resource for balancing physical and emotional energy. That can help you tackle problems in everyday life with less stress and possibly fewer temptations for relapse. If physical pain is a contributing factor to addiction and mental or emotional distress, then acupuncture may help with pain management as well.

 

How to Get Started with Acupuncture

The benefits of acupuncture for your mental health are best experienced firsthand. Many long-term believers often struggle to explain how the treatment works other than verifying that it has worked for them.

Call (323) 372-5150 or contact us today to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you relieve your pain through the benefits of acupuncture and holistic medicine.