“Where do acupuncture needles go for depression?”
I have depression and want to treat it. Where do acupuncture needles go for depression?
10 Answers
Depression can stand alone as a diagnosis or it can be related or associated with other conditions. After reviewing each individual's condition, we can then create a treatment protocol and choose the corresponding points. Alexandre Hillairet, DAOM. Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. 2660 E. Main street., Suite 202, Ventura, CA, 93003. 22048 Sherman Way, Suite 206, Canoga Park, CA, 91307. (805)798-4018 or (818) 307-6326 IMPORTANT NOTE! The information in this electronic message is intended
Mr. Anthony James Lorenzo
Acupuncturist
There is not a magical point for a condition. The points are selected based on what the underlying imbalance is and not for a set of symptoms. This is a very Western medicine approach/conceptualization of a very different Eastern medicine that doesn't really apply.
Acupuncture is working for depression. It depends on the patient's needs, the treatment with acupuncture can be decided. Auricular acupuncture is one of the treatments. Depending on the wood, fire, or earth element deficiency, treatment can vary.
For treat depression, it based on what type of depression do you have, then doctor will choose use which acupoints to treat you, usually acupoints will be on head, hands, feet.
I is all diff since the origin is not the same for any patient
H4.Lr3 and ying yang.st 40 . Plus with each individual person's situation
Please go see an acupuncturist for an evaluation. I would probably treat your depression with acupuncture, massage and possibly herbs.
Acupuncture points for depression vary based on your individual symptoms and body composition. Your practitioner should do a thorough intake to determine the right treatment plan for you.
Every practitioner has their own approach to treatments, and each person's makeup is different. Therefore, there are no set points for any issue, including depression. Just know that acupuncture is very effective for treating all types of emotional issues.
I see and hear questions like this often. For folks who've never had acupuncture and are nervous about the needles, it's a question that makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, it's a question that cannot be answered.
The problem is two-fold:
1. Chinese medicine uses an entirely different diagnostic method that is looking at your entire system, not just one part. Health issues that are considered one thing in conventional medicine often have multiple potential causes in Chinese medicine. Without evaluating and diagnosing you, I have no idea why *you* are experiencing depression. Since treatment hangs on the diagnosis and I haven't diagnosed you, I can't tell you how I'd treat.
2. There are multiple different systems of acupuncture, not everyone practices the same way, and there's no general script or method for issues like in conventional medicine. Even assuming I had enough information to diagnose, there is no guarantee that a different acupuncturist would use my approach. Therefore, any needle locations I listed would be useless to you unless you're coming to see me.
Like I said, this is a question I get a lot, and I understand where it comes from. There's no reason that the average person should understand anything about the details of Chinese medicine. What I usually suggest for people in your position is to call around to several acupuncturists in your area and see which ones offer a free consult. Meet with a few and get an idea how they practice, where they're likely to place needles, and how many needles they're likely to use. Then make an appointment with the practitioner that made you the most comfortable.
Please make sure you're seeing a board certified, state licensed acupuncturist. A chiropractor or physical therapist is NOT the same thing (a PT in particular would be way out of scope treating an issue like this. In other words in a very gray area legally). To find licensed acupuncturists in your area you can go to NCCAOM.org and use their "Find a Practitioner" lookup.
The problem is two-fold:
1. Chinese medicine uses an entirely different diagnostic method that is looking at your entire system, not just one part. Health issues that are considered one thing in conventional medicine often have multiple potential causes in Chinese medicine. Without evaluating and diagnosing you, I have no idea why *you* are experiencing depression. Since treatment hangs on the diagnosis and I haven't diagnosed you, I can't tell you how I'd treat.
2. There are multiple different systems of acupuncture, not everyone practices the same way, and there's no general script or method for issues like in conventional medicine. Even assuming I had enough information to diagnose, there is no guarantee that a different acupuncturist would use my approach. Therefore, any needle locations I listed would be useless to you unless you're coming to see me.
Like I said, this is a question I get a lot, and I understand where it comes from. There's no reason that the average person should understand anything about the details of Chinese medicine. What I usually suggest for people in your position is to call around to several acupuncturists in your area and see which ones offer a free consult. Meet with a few and get an idea how they practice, where they're likely to place needles, and how many needles they're likely to use. Then make an appointment with the practitioner that made you the most comfortable.
Please make sure you're seeing a board certified, state licensed acupuncturist. A chiropractor or physical therapist is NOT the same thing (a PT in particular would be way out of scope treating an issue like this. In other words in a very gray area legally). To find licensed acupuncturists in your area you can go to NCCAOM.org and use their "Find a Practitioner" lookup.
