About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Acupuncture can Treat Depression, Anxiety

by Sheela Philomena on October 11, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Font : A-A+

 Acupuncture can Treat Depression, Anxiety

Acupuncture can be used to treat depression and anxiety instead of drugs, reveals recent study.

It is best known as a treatment for controlling our aches and pains but few of us know that acupuncture can also be used to treat anxiety and depression.

Advertisement

The research by the British Acupuncture Council and the charity Anxiety UK, revealed that only 10 percent of sufferers use acupuncture to deal with their anxiety, whereas almost half (49.2 per cent) are prescribed medication, the Daily Express reported.

Almost all participants of the study (93.8 percent), commissioned to mark World Mental Health Day on Thursday, said they would be open to trying a complementary therapy but nearly two thirds (62.7 percent) were not even aware that acupuncture could help their condition.
Advertisement

Anxiety UK believes this could be down to a lack of understanding of the condition, cost of treatments as well as problems accessing therapies, especially complementary therapies.

Acupuncture originated in China and has been in use for more than 2,000 years and practitioners claim that by inserting tiny needles into specific areas of the skin, they can affect the meridians - or channels of pain - that run up and down the body, blocking pain.

Previous research has shown that acupuncture can help ease anxiety by acting on areas of the brain known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress, as well as promoting relaxation and deactivating the 'analytical' brain, which is responsible for anxiety and worry.

The acupuncture practitioners questioned for the study said the most common form of anxiety they treat is depression (94.9 percent) closely followed by panic attacks (86.1 per cent) with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) not far behind (50.6 percent).

Source: ANI
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Alternative Medicine News

Maximizing Relief With Ayurveda Medicines
Patients suffering from common ailments were found to benefit from Ayurveda.
Is a Traditional Medicine Plant the Answer to Drug-Resistant Malaria?
Essential tea plant oil revealed antimalarial properties against two strains of Plasmodium falciparum, a malaria-causing parasite.
Let's Fight Long COVID Symptoms with Ayurveda
Panchakarma could be used as a powerful Ayurvedic weapon to fight long COVID symptoms.
Transcendental Meditation Lowers Death due to Drug-Overdose
In the United States, the group practice of transcendental meditation was found to decrease stress.
Ayurveda Day: More Than 30 Countries Recognized Ayurveda as Traditional Medicine
Ayurveda Day 2022: Ayurvedic medicine (Ayurveda), the traditional Indian medicine, is now recognized as a traditional medicine in more than 30 countries.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Acupuncture can Treat Depression, Anxiety Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests