Due to hectic lifestyles and various life issues of today’s world, many people face depression and anxiety issues nowadays. Some people believe that it is possible to use acupuncture for anxiety and depression related problems.

What is acupuncture? It is a holistic medicine from China, which has been practised from as far back as 5,000 years ago. Diet, herbology and lifestyle counseling could be included as part of acupuncture treatment. Since the concept of acupuncture is based on the connection of the body with mind and emotions, this is very much understandable. The mental state and emotions of a person can affect the physical health of a person.

Likewise, the physical ailments of a person can effect his or her emotions and mental health. In relation to this, anxiety and depression can lead to many types of serious physical sicknesses, if not treated properly and allowed to worsen. Anxiety cases can vary from simple ones to more serious ones like post-traumatic stress or PSTD and panic attacks. Chest pain, increased heart rate and shortness of breath are all indications of anxiety.

To treat anxiety in acupuncture, the pulse and tongue of the patient is checked beforehand to figure out the pattern of anxiety. Most of the cases have something to do with the heart and kidney. Since heart is classified as the Fire organ and kidney is termed as the water organ, both of these organs should be in proper balance. Any excess of Fire can result in heat related problems in a person’s body. This could lead to a disturbed mind.

For treating anxiety, it is possible to use either body or auricular acupuncture. If someone suffers from exhaustion and very low energy, it could be due to depression. Twenty percent of a population goes through depression at some point of their lives. Liver is the main organ that distributes vital energy to various parts of the body.

Vital energy is normally called as qi in acupuncture. For depression cases, the primary focus is on the liver followed by the heart and spleen. If the flow of vital energy from the liver is low, it causes many problems like lack of sleep, indigestion and low energy level. There are more or less 14 main channels or rivers of energy from the liver.

Any stagnant or blocked area could experience a low vital flow of energy from the liver. Hence, bringing energy into the area of energy deficiency and unblocking the area is the treatment used in acupuncture. Practicing mind and body exercises from yoga, tai chi and qi gong together with regular acupuncture treatments would help to cure depression more quickly.

Some people may think that acupuncture is painful due to the usage of needles. In reality, only hair thin needles are used. Hence, it is nearly painless. To ensure hygienic conditions, the needles are not used more than once. The practice of acupuncture in the East can be traced back to many years ago. It was used for curing various sicknesses.

A skilled practitioner can use acupuncture for stress and anxiety. Acupuncture is defined by Eastern principles and is natural and safe.