While some people may use acupuncture for the treatment of depression, it is not clear at this point how effective acupuncture is at treating depression. Not very many studies have looked at acupuncture and depression together, and the studies that have been performed have had mixed results. Acupuncture could potentially be useful as a complementary treatment for depression; but based on the research that has been done, acupuncture should never be used in place of conventional treatment.
An Overview of Acupuncture for Depression
Depression is one of the most common illnesses in today's society -- affecting up to 10 percent of the adult population each year. Although effective
depression treatment is available, increasing numbers of people are interested in complementary and alternative treatments for depression.
Complementary and alternative treatments are a group of diverse medical and healthcare practices and products that are not presently considered an integral part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine.
Conventional healthcare providers most often recommend
antidepressants and psychotherapy for the treatment of depression. In more severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be recommended. There are also many complementary and alternative treatment options for depression, including:
Another treatment option for depression is acupuncture.
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