Dr.Lisa Mason our new Acupuncturist will be one of our speakers who will be talking about our theme for the day: MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS! Here she shares what she will be touching on….
TCM Acupuncture for Anxiety & Mood Disorders
The human body has developed an ingenious way to deal with the stresses that we encounter. With stress, the body is programmed to turn on the necessary systems and shut off secondary ones. The body’s “fight or flight” mechanism (also known as the sympathetic system) turns on when stress is presented. Blood and energy is diverted to the systems that are required to fight or flee – such as the muscles of the body, the heart, and the cardiovascular systems. There are increases to the heart rate, energy is released from fat, and muscles become ready for quick action. In addition, secondary systems such as the digestive and reproductive are shut off because they are determined not to be necessary in this stressful situation.
Acupuncture remains an effective, natural, and safe treatment for people suffering from Anxiety, Depression or Mood disorder conditions, because it is able to calm the sympathetic system by allowing the body to release neurotransmitters that can control a person’s stress level. Such as the increase of endorphin, dopamine and norepinephrine levels, all which produce positive Mood states.
Acupuncture was developed about 2500 years ago, and is centred around the development of Chinese society and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which principally states that there are pathways or meridians in the body where energy or Qi travels. Any disease, pain or dysfunction is due to a blockage in these meridians. In the case of Anxiety, Depression or Mood disorders, when emotions are held over long periods of time, or when they result from a traumatic event, they can become the cause of illness. This will block the flow of Qi.
Based on a holistic approach, Acupuncture consists of fine needles inserted along specific Acupoints along the body, with the purpose of stimulating the body’s flow of Qi, which then assists in removing the blockage and allows the energy to flow again. With proper energy flow, the person’s health returns. Though Acupuncture has been traditionally taught as a preventative form of health care, it has also been proven effective in the treatment of pain and chronic conditions.
MoodDisorders may have several causes, such as chemical and hormonal imbalances, stress, PMS, medication and diet. Various types of physical illness can also cause Mood highs and lows. Acupuncture has been shown to stabiliseMood by rebalancing the hormonal system. Symptoms of MoodDisorders can be alleviated with Acupuncture, including: *Irritability *Headaches * Insomnia *Poor Concentration *Anger * Fear *Apathy *Listlessness
TCM also recognises the mind and body interacting as one, meaning that emotions have a physiological effect on the body. There are five emotions represented in TCM Acupuncture by the Five Elements:
- Water (disorders represented in emotion of fear)
- Wood (disorders represented in emotion of anger)
- Fire (disorders represented in emotion of happiness)
- Earth (disorders represented in emotion of worry)
- Metal (disorders represented in emotion of grief)
Acupuncture remains an effective treatment for those suffering from Anxiety,Depression or Mood Disorders without the side effects seen with various drugs. With its effect on decreasing various MoodDisorders, Acupuncture can help secondarily with the treatment of psychosomatic (mental or emotional) disorders. Research shows that there is a positive response of Anxiety, Depression and Mood disorders to Acupuncture and that it should be considered a treatment for those suffering from these debilitative disorders.
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common of mental illnesses worldwide. Although the symptoms can be as manageable as an ominous feeling in the pit of the stomach; some suffer much worse. Anxiety can trigger the following responses:
- Physical – such as an irregular heartbeat
- Cognitive – which can cause negative thoughts
- Behavioural – which may include uncharacteristic aggression or restlessness
- Emotional – such as fear
There are a wide variety of causes of Anxiety, all have different treatments. A person’s personality, behaviour or thinking style can also cause them to be more susceptible to Anxiety. Research has even proven it to be hereditary.
Depression
It is estimated that approximately one in five people will experience clinical Depression at least once in their lifetime. Although it is natural to feel sad and down sometimes, these slight effects can be managed with gradual lifestyle adjustments. Clinical Depression, however, refers to a long-lasting and intense emotional, physical and cognitive state that greatly affects day-to-day life. Symptoms include:
- Loss of positive associations and sense of achievement
- Lack of interest in normally pleasurable activities
- Negative thoughts – often worrying about the future
- Irritability, agitation and exhaustion – where even the smallest & simplest tasks seem too much effort
- Changes in sleeping patterns (too much or too little)
- Hopelessness – feeling trapped or suicidal
Acupuncture treats the symptoms and causes of Mood Disorders by balancing the subtle energies within the body. Balancing this energetic Qi flow within various body systems, Acupuncture is able to thereby minimize the frequency and intensity of MoodDisorders.
In addition to Acupuncture, lifestyle changes may also be recommended by your Acupuncture practitioner. Stress reduction techniques, a balanced diet and regular exercise can all have positive effects on changing and preventing MoodDisorders, and work to treat your body as a whole inter-related system.
Doctor of Chinese Medicine – Acupuncture
B.App.Sc (Acup), Adv Training (China) since 1994
Further online reading:
ACAA.com.au
ATMS.com.au
AHPRA.gov.au
Psychcentral.com
VitalityMagazine.com
P.S OPEN DAY NEWS – Did you know we are having an OPEN DAY on Saturday 7th November from 10AM-3PM where we will open the clinic up for free talks, mini treatments, free Iridology, zinc tests, music, food and gifts?
Our flyer on the event – GDH_DL Open Day_2015 FINAL NOV