Acupuncture for Depression
Acupuncture for Depression & Anxiety
For many patients suffering from depression and anxiety, acupuncture has proven effective in reducing symptoms. Alongside prescribed medications, acupuncture has been shown to reduce the frequency and intensity of patient suffering. Read more in the articles we’ve gathered below.
Scientific Studies Supporting Acupuncture for Depression
- Nonpharmacologic Versus Pharmacologic Treatment of Adult Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians: Researchers find that acupuncture combined with antidepressants has greater effect than either treatment alone. (Annals of Internal Medicine, 2016)
- Cochrane: Acupuncture for Depression: Cochrane produces “high-quality, relevant, up-to-date systematic reviews and other synthesized research evidence to inform health decision making.”
- Acupuncture for Depression: The Mechanism Underlying Its Therapeutic Effect: Researchers conclude that “multiple pathways seem to be involved in the mechanism of action of acupuncture, and these mechanisms may work together to produce the antidepressant effects of acupuncture.” (Medical Acupuncture, 2016)
- Acupuncture for Depression: A Review of Clinical Applications: Findings suggest “suggest that acupuncture has the potential to be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated monotherapy for depression and a viable augmentation for antidepressant partial responders and nonresponders.” (Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 2012)
- Acupuncture Alleviates Depression and Anxiety, Boosts Paxil: Researchers from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine find acupuncture effective for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder and enhances the effects Paxil. (HealthCMi, 2016)
Special Considerations During Pregnancy
Acupuncture lessens depression symptoms during pregnancy, study shows (Stanford University School of Medicine, 2010)
Mainstream Coverage
- How can acupuncture help with treating depression? “Acupuncture is recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective depression therapy. Some studies have shown acupuncture noticeably lessens symptoms of depression. Acupuncture may be a treatment option for you if antidepressant medications haven’t helped.” (WebMD, 2017)
- Acupuncture for Depression: Does It Really Work? And 12 Other FAQs (Healthline, 2018)
- Can Acupuncture Treat Depression? “A growing number of people are seeking alternatives to antidepressant medications, and new research suggests that acupuncture could be a promising option.” (Scientific American, 2014)