TCM & Depression
Acupuncture is best known for its effectiveness in treating painful conditions. But lately, acupuncture has also made it into the news because of its apparent ability to deal with emotional pain. A new study from the University of York, England, comparing treatment options for depression found that acupuncture is just as effective in treating medium and severe depression as psychological counseling. Another study by the University of Arizona found that depression is treated just as effectively by acupuncture alone as it is treated by the combined approach of pharmaceutical drugs and counseling (study link). Considering that depression and other mental-emotional dysfunctions affect as many as 26 percent of people ages 18 and older in the US, this is good news.
The National Institute of Mental Health, NIMH, estimates that more than 57 million Americans will be diagnosed in any given year with a mental disorder (NIMH on Mental Disorders website). The Western medical approach to these disorders relies heavily on pharmaceutical antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs along psychological counseling. While both can be extremely helpful in treating acute depression, managing chronic depression, and alleviating anxiety, the drugs come with a long list of possible side effects, many of which are quite severe. In the University of Arizona study, women suffering from major depression were divided into groups. One group received acupuncture, the other group received counseling and pharmaceutical drugs. The group receiving acupuncture alone had a 50% response rate after weekly acupuncture for 16 weeks. Considering that this study does not take into account the possible benefits from herbal formulations for depression, it holds even better promises for effective natural treatment of depression without risking side effects.
Traditional Eastern Medicine takes a very holistic approach in treating mental-emotional disease. Mental-emotional disorders are diagnosed as "shen disharmonies". Shen is the Chinese name for spirit, and it is said to reside in the heart. Even though the heart shen is considered the emperor and ruler, it has helpers. The lung, spleen, kidneys and liver all have their own spirit, each with very distinct functions which aid the overall function of the heart shen. The lung houses the Po, which is responsible mostly for the basic physical functioning of the body. The liver houses the Hun, which is responsible for boundary setting and bringing outside experiences back to the heart shen, like a general reporting back to the emperor. The spleen houses the Yi, or intent, and the kidneys house the Zhi, or will power.
The advantage about this system is that it gives the practitioner the ability to treat mental-emotional imbalances through balancing the body. When making a diagnosis, the TCM practitioner can assess which shen is mostly affected. This can be done by the presenting emotional symptoms as well as by accompanying physical symptoms. For example, a patient with depression may have a hard time setting boundaries and protecting themselves, so this would be an indication of a Hun/liver disharmony. That person may also suffer from frequent headaches, high blood pressure, or menstrual irregularities, all of which also point to a liver imbalance. A person who is depressed because they can't put anything into action and are very weak-willed may have a spleen and kidney imbalance, and may simultaneously present with abdominal bloating, lower back pain or low-grade nausea. This approach gives the practitioner an important tool: the ability to link spiritual and mental disturbances to specific organ networks and then treat these imbalances through the according channels.
Once a diagnosis is made, a traditional medicine practitioner will address the pattern in many ways. In case of depression, the energy and emotions are often stuck and the channels are blocked. Acupuncture can remove those blockages and free up the natural flow of energy and emotions. In case of anxiety, there may be heat trapped in the heart, or the heart might be deficient. Treatments in that case would focus on draining heat or nourishing the heart. Herbs are effective in alleviating depression and anxiety without the side effects and addiction potential many of the pharmaceutical antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs carry. They work by not only alleviating the presenting symptoms like anxiety, palpitations, or depression, but they also address the underlying root causes by balancing the organs. Your practitioner will most likely recommend an exercise regime as well, especially exercises like Tai Chi, Qi Gong or Yoga which don't only give you a great workout, but which also help to reduce stress. Last but not least, adjusting your diet to include more nutrient-rich foods and less junk foods, and including a good Vitamin B complex supplement in your dietary routine can help your body re-balance itself and prevent depression from flaring up again. To read more about basic nutrition, read my lecture notes from Eating with the Seasons.
The National Institute of Mental Health, NIMH, estimates that more than 57 million Americans will be diagnosed in any given year with a mental disorder (NIMH on Mental Disorders website). The Western medical approach to these disorders relies heavily on pharmaceutical antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs along psychological counseling. While both can be extremely helpful in treating acute depression, managing chronic depression, and alleviating anxiety, the drugs come with a long list of possible side effects, many of which are quite severe. In the University of Arizona study, women suffering from major depression were divided into groups. One group received acupuncture, the other group received counseling and pharmaceutical drugs. The group receiving acupuncture alone had a 50% response rate after weekly acupuncture for 16 weeks. Considering that this study does not take into account the possible benefits from herbal formulations for depression, it holds even better promises for effective natural treatment of depression without risking side effects.
Traditional Eastern Medicine takes a very holistic approach in treating mental-emotional disease. Mental-emotional disorders are diagnosed as "shen disharmonies". Shen is the Chinese name for spirit, and it is said to reside in the heart. Even though the heart shen is considered the emperor and ruler, it has helpers. The lung, spleen, kidneys and liver all have their own spirit, each with very distinct functions which aid the overall function of the heart shen. The lung houses the Po, which is responsible mostly for the basic physical functioning of the body. The liver houses the Hun, which is responsible for boundary setting and bringing outside experiences back to the heart shen, like a general reporting back to the emperor. The spleen houses the Yi, or intent, and the kidneys house the Zhi, or will power.
The advantage about this system is that it gives the practitioner the ability to treat mental-emotional imbalances through balancing the body. When making a diagnosis, the TCM practitioner can assess which shen is mostly affected. This can be done by the presenting emotional symptoms as well as by accompanying physical symptoms. For example, a patient with depression may have a hard time setting boundaries and protecting themselves, so this would be an indication of a Hun/liver disharmony. That person may also suffer from frequent headaches, high blood pressure, or menstrual irregularities, all of which also point to a liver imbalance. A person who is depressed because they can't put anything into action and are very weak-willed may have a spleen and kidney imbalance, and may simultaneously present with abdominal bloating, lower back pain or low-grade nausea. This approach gives the practitioner an important tool: the ability to link spiritual and mental disturbances to specific organ networks and then treat these imbalances through the according channels.
Once a diagnosis is made, a traditional medicine practitioner will address the pattern in many ways. In case of depression, the energy and emotions are often stuck and the channels are blocked. Acupuncture can remove those blockages and free up the natural flow of energy and emotions. In case of anxiety, there may be heat trapped in the heart, or the heart might be deficient. Treatments in that case would focus on draining heat or nourishing the heart. Herbs are effective in alleviating depression and anxiety without the side effects and addiction potential many of the pharmaceutical antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs carry. They work by not only alleviating the presenting symptoms like anxiety, palpitations, or depression, but they also address the underlying root causes by balancing the organs. Your practitioner will most likely recommend an exercise regime as well, especially exercises like Tai Chi, Qi Gong or Yoga which don't only give you a great workout, but which also help to reduce stress. Last but not least, adjusting your diet to include more nutrient-rich foods and less junk foods, and including a good Vitamin B complex supplement in your dietary routine can help your body re-balance itself and prevent depression from flaring up again. To read more about basic nutrition, read my lecture notes from Eating with the Seasons.
