Today, more than 28 million Americans take anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs [Acupuncture Today, December 2001], and tens of millions of these Americans are using these prescription drugs to control their depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). Most of these people believe that they will need these drugs for rest of their life to help them deal with the debilitating effects of feeling sad, discouraged, and hopeless, much of the time. Chinese medicine has a healthy alternative for these patients who want to regain their health.

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Anti-depressants only address these symptoms, which may include insomnia, fatigue, loss of appetite, decreased libido, irritability, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, body aches and pains, gastro-intestinal disorders, etc. However, they do not address the cause. In addition, there can be significant side effects with these protocols. Conversely, with Chinese Medicine there are none. Many of our patients think that combining western medicine with Chinese medicine and acupuncture is the best way to start out. Eventually, with the supervision of their Medical Doctor, they may reduce (or eliminate) their intake of anti-depressant medicine, thus reducing their potential side effects.

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Chinese Medicine has been treating depression successfully for thousands of years. In terms of Chinese medicine, depression can be the result of an imbalance or blockage of Qi (Energy) in the organs or meridian systems. This can be caused by a physical or emotional trauma, poor diet or lifestyle, or an inherited weakness of Qi. Acupuncture Associates will take a complete health history and then make an individualized Chinese medical diagnosis for each patient, develop a personalized treatment plan, and help them to decide which dietary items should be eliminated or added to their diet.

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Using acupuncture and Chinese herbs, the patients can often resolve the root cause of their depression, and attain balance physically, mentally, and emotionally, making it easier to bounce back from their depressed state and start enjoying life again.