Treating Depression and Anxiety

By Wenhui Qiao, OMD, LAc

Today, more than 30 million Americans are taking anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs, and over 130 million prescriptions are written for anti-depressants each year, and these numbers have been growing. The top anti-depressant and anxiety drugs address only the signs and symptoms of the disease and can cause a myriad of side effects.
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 the 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. 64% of the participants were judged to be in full remission of their symptoms.
Another 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. Sixty-one pregnant women with major depressive disorder were studied in this double blinded controlled trial, with the researchers concluding that “acupuncture holds 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, over 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.