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The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
Wenhui Qiao, OMD, LAc
Treating Anxiety and Depression
Holycross Acupuncture and Herbs

Treating Anxiety and Depression

Research suggests that one out of every four people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year. Depression occurring together with anxiety are two of the most common mood disorders affecting approximately 20% of the population at some point during their lives.
Today, more than 30 million Americans are taking antidepressant and anti-anxiety drugs, and over 130 million prescriptions are written for antidepressants each year, and these numbers have been growing. The top anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs address only the signs and symptoms of the disease and can cause a myriad of side effects insomnia, anxiety, listlessness, fatigue, loss of appetite and sexual dysfunction.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
and Depression/Anxiety
Chinese medicine recognizes a powerful interplay between the body and emotions; the two are, in fact, inseparable. When we become emotionally upset, our internal environment also becomes disrupted, leading to the physical symptoms of anxiety and depression. When we are physically compromised, our emotions can be greatly affected.
According to Chinese medical theories, depression and anxiety are often the result of an imbalance or blockage in the bodys energetic organ meridian systems. If the qi becomes obstructed or the quality becomes insufficient, emotional upset, anxiety/depression, illness and disease may occur. Many things may cause qi to become blocked or insufficient physical trauma, emotional trauma, hereditary weakness, poor diet, and chemical, physical and emotional stress.
A ground-breaking pilot study at the University of Arizona studied the treatment of depression using traditional, individually tailored acupuncture treatment, within the structure of a double-blind, randomized, control trial. Of the participants, 64% were judged to be in full remission of their symptoms.
A recent clinical trial from Stanford University in the U.S. has found that 70% of women studied responded positively to treatment with acupuncture for depression during pregnancy. In this double blinded controlled trial, 61 pregnant women with major depressive disorder were studied, with the researchers concluding that acupuncture may hold promise for the treatment of depression during pregnancy.
Treating Anxiety/Depression with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Treatments for anxiety and depression combine acupuncture, electro-acupuncture (the current is so low, people do not feel it) and herbal medicine. Acupuncture and electro-acupuncture can relieve anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The herbal supplementation is key to the effectiveness of the treatments. The treatments will not be as effective without the supplements. The herbal formulas are used to address stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
The success rate for this type of treatment is very high, 75%+. While severe depression may require more intensive treatment, relief of stress and anxiety is usually felt immediately and not as many treatments are required.

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