Acupuncture is a traditional type of alternative medicine frequently used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, like headaches, muscle cramps, and even chemotherapy. 

However, did you know that it can also help people with their anxiety and depression? The traditional Chinese medical technique, which has been used for centuries, has been found to trigger the right chemical responses in the body that combat depression symptoms.

Below, we’ll discuss what this treatment is and how you can use acupuncture for depression. 

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a type of medical treatment involving needles. The treatment is believed to have originated in China, with evidence of its use as a medical practice dating back over 2,000 years.

According to theory, we each have a Qi, or life force, which flows through and regulates the body. Illnesses in the body take place when there is an inadequate flow of Qi.  Acupuncture is therefore thought to restore the flow of Qi around the body to avoid and overcome illness. This includes the flow of hormones such as endorphins.

What Happens During an Acupuncture Session?In these sessions, patients are asked to remove their clothes and lie down. Then, a series of needles are used to pierce the skin at distinct points in the body. The needles are very thin and about 3cm in length. They are usually sterilized and only used once. 

The needles typically remain inserted into the body for 15-30 minutes before they are removed. During this time, patients may feel an aching or tingling sensation around the location of the needles.
After insertion, the needles stimulate the nerves in muscle tissue and under the skin, leaving you with several benefits such as:
• Less chronic pain
• Decreased stress
• Changed outlook and self-image

How Does Acupuncture for Depression Work?

Increased Endorphins One of the chemicals produced by the body during an acupuncture treatment is endorphins.

Endorphins are a type of hormone that the body produces to relieve stress and pain. When the needles penetrate the skin and release endorphins, many people even experience a euphoric effect that brings happiness and clarity.

Those with depression often lack the right level of endorphins in the body, which reduces the regularity of their feelings of happiness. Therefore, acupuncture for depression may bring their endorphin count up to the right level, helping to eradicate symptoms of depression in the process.

Lower Cortisol Science also backs up acupuncture’s effects. Studies show that acupuncture has been proven to release not only endorphins but also lower cortisol levels.

This is the body’s stress hormone, and cortisol skyrockets when you become panicked and distressed, symptoms of depression and chronic anxiety. Acupuncture encourages your body to calm its stress response and experience calm, clear-headed thinking instead. 

Final ThoughtseIf you suffer from depression, know that acupuncture may help. However, this treatment is intended to last over the course of several sessions. You may need to start a program of 5 or more sessions before the advantages of the treatment start to take effect.

In addition, acupuncture may not be the right solution for all types of depression. However, many people have found that acupuncture for depression has worked for them when other forms of treatment for depression have failed. So don’t rule it out until you’ve tried it for yourself — it could have life-changing results.