TCM and Emotional Health and Depression

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes in the interconnection between mind and body, emotional health and physical health. One can not be effectively diagnosed or treated without taking into consideration the other. TCM is effective at restoring the mind-body-spirit connection and is effective in using natural and safe methods for treating depression or other emotional issues.

TCM has a 2000 year history of viewing the mind and body as so connected that one can’t be treated without considering the other. Harmony and balance among the various systems of the body are said to be the key to good emotional health and physical health. Thus, the TCM practitioner seeks to find patterns of disharmony when emotional health issues are presented. Typically, a patient will present with anywhere from 3 to 8 of these patterns. Identifying them leads to the unique prescription of acupuncture and herbal therapy for each patient.

Shifu Raymond Ahles at Results Acupuncture & Healing Arts Center in Bergenfield, NJ, has the training and experience to help you deal with your emotional health issues. Only the best treatment, whether acupuncture or herbal medicine, will be used in your treatment.

Depression and anxiety are two of the most common emotional health issues. Estimates from the National Institute of Mental Health say that almost 28 million American adults suffer from these two conditions, either together or separately. Traditional Western medicine approaches to treating these emotional health issues is to prescribe medication to provide immediate relief from the symptoms. TCM approaches both diagnosis and treatment from a different perspective. With its emphasis on the whole person, TCM looks for the root causes of emotional health problems and prescribes unique treatment approaches that address these causes.

For example, TCM believes anxiety symptoms occur as a result of an imbalance of the heart and kidney. Acupuncture is used effectively to treat anxiety. Some research indicates acupuncture to be as effective as cognitive-behavioral therapy (most frequently used by psychologists) in the treatment of anxiety.

Acupuncture is gradually being recognized as an extremely effective treatment for depression. The use of acupuncture increases the release of endorphins, the natural chemical that increases good feelings. It also influences neurotransmitter levels, those chemicals in the brain that govern emotional health.

Many patients also find added relief from both anxiety and depression symptoms through the use of herbal medicine. An important consideration in herbal medicine is to let your TCM and Western medicine practitioners know if you’re taking medications for your symptoms. This is to prevent drug interactions with the herbs and to monitor side effects. You should not stop taking your prescription medications to begin herbal therapy.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is being shown to be very effective in treating emotional health issues. Shifu Raymond Ahles at Results Acupuncture & Healing Arts Center in Bergenfield, NJ, is well-trained and experienced in using TCM methods in treating emotional health problems. Call or contact him today for an appointment.