As someone that has struggled with depression in the past, I am always looking for natural ways of treating it. Globally, depression is estimated to affect more than 264 million people and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. It tends to affect more women than men and is especially prevalent in peri-menopausal women that are undergoing physiological changes.
Treatment modalities
Conventional treatments for depression include pharmacology and psychotherapy. I personally used antidepressants in my early 20’s and found it to be helpful for a short period of time. Unfortunately, the side effects began to outweigh the benefits and I eventually stopped taking them. Others may find that antidepressants are a good option for them. Psychotherapy is another treatment modality that I tried and found benefit in. However, these therapeutic options aren’t always effective for everyone and may need supplementation with other alternative therapies.
Acupuncture research
An increasing amount of research is being carried out and report the effectiveness of acupuncture in the reduction of depression. Xiao X et al. (2020) analyzed 16 clinical trials which included 1,311 patients with depression linked to peri-menopause. Within these trials, the control groups were separated into those receiving acupuncture treatment versus those receiving pharmacological agents. Acupuncture treatment regimens ranged from 2 weeks to 3 months. Not only did the participants report reduction in depression during the acupuncture treatments, but also follow-up analysis showed the benefits of acupuncture lasted longer than those of antidepressants.
Another interesting study, highlighted in Psychology Today, followed patients that were already on antidepressants and still suffering from moderate to severe depression. While the participants in the study remained on antidepressants, they were also treated with acupuncture and counseling. The average participant began the study ranking their depression as 16 (on a scale of 27). By the end of the treatment, acupuncture patients lowered to 9 and counseling patients to an 11. Again, follow-up analysis was performed and showed that the benefits lasted three months after treatment had concluded.
Key highlights
This highlights the fact that acupuncture can easily be combined with your current treatment regimen. So even if you are already taking medication or going to counseling for depression, acupuncture can complement your current self-care routine. In fact, it’s proven that acupuncture stimulates the release of your own bodies “feel good hormone”, endorphins.
Interested in finding out more ways that acupuncture can treat peri-menopausal symptoms? Check out our Blog or click here to contact us about a 20-minute complimentary consultation.
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References
Depression. World Health Organization. 2020 Jan 30 [cited 2021 Aug 23] Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
Xiao X, Zhang J, Jin Y, Wang Y, Zhang Q. Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture for Perimenopausal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Jan 19;2020:5865697. doi: 10.1155/2020/5865697. PMID: 32051687; PMCID: PMC6995321.
Goetz T. Acupuncture for stress and depression? Yes, please! 2015 Sept 28. Psychology Today. Available online: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/renaissance-woman/201509/acupuncture-stress-and-depression-yes-please
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