Long-Term Benefits of Acupuncture on Mental Health
More people are beginning to talk about mental health issues as a significant part of the global health discussion. We are more accepting that mental health issues can be disruptive to your daily life, affecting an individual’s beliefs, emotions, relationships, and ability to deal with daily stressors. Throughout different walks of life, people can develop mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder.
However, we remain at a loss on how we can treat them; while some seek psychotherapy or counseling, acupuncture may be paving the way to healing. Dr. Carolyn Cook is a Miami Acupuncturist, MSOM, AP, Dipl Canonical Chinese Medicine, LMT and has continuously changed lives from her healing methods, including people with mental health issues.
What is Mental Health?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community,” (2022). We should view mental health as an integral component of well-being and not just our physical state. Our mental health underpins our ability to make decisions, build relationships, and shape the world we live in.
Mental health conditions can manifest at all stages of life. A combination of exposure to unfavorable social, economic, geopolitical, and environmental circumstances can lead to mental health issues, especially if they occur during a developmentally sensitive time like childhood. Some leading facts for mental health conditions include the following:
- Harsh parenting
- Physical punishment
- Bullying
- Disease outbreaks
- Forced displacement
- Humanitarian emergencies
Common Mental Disorders
A study in 2019 reported that 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people around the world, were living with a mental disorder. The most common are anxiety and depressive disorders. Below are their descriptions, signs, and symptoms.
1. Anxiety disorders: these are characterized by excessive fear and worry and related behavioral disturbances. For some people, symptoms can become severe resulting in significant distress or significant impairment in functioning. Anxiety disorders can range from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorder to Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Separation Anxiety Disorder.
2. Depression: this mental disorder negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. It is different from our fluctuating moods and short-lived emotional responses to stressors in everyday life. People with depression may experience a loss of pleasure or interest in activities for a prolonged amount of time, as well as other symptoms, including poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth, hopelessness about the future, thoughts about dying or suicide, disrupted sleep, and changes in appetite or weight.
3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): this can be caused by exposure to an extremely threatening or horrific event or series of events. However, it can also be characterized by having intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares of the traumatic event, avoiding activities, situations, or people reminiscent of the event/s, and being on a heightened state. PTSD symptoms can persist for at least several weeks and cause significant impairment in functioning.
These are only a few of the mental disorders that people may suffer from. If you need urgent attention and emotional support, check out these crisis hotlines from the American Psychological Association.
Acupuncture Benefits on Mental Health Conditions
Finding the right treatment for your mental health needs is key to living a full, better, and happy life. Acupuncture has a long history of helping reduce or eliminate many symptoms related to mental health issues. It has become a valuable addition in overcoming depression and anxiety, not just for the short run, but long-term recovery.
Miami Herbs and Classical Acupuncture restores the internal environment of a person’s body, resulting in improved sleep, digestive function, and a sense of calm and peace of mind. Chronic stress from depression and other mental health issues are guaranteed to be alleviated. Our acupuncture reduces pain sensations and increases the circulation of lymphatic fluids and blood. Dr. Cook believes a greater level of oxygen in the body’s tissues is key to healing.
The acupuncture treatment also aids in decreasing cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, blood pressure, and resting heart rate. In return, the sympathetic nervous system that regulates the body’s stress response is positively affected, feeling lasting relief from the effects of chronic stress. With continued treatment, our clients have better pain management, immune system support, energy boost, and an overall improved sense of well-being. Ready to acquire these benefits for your mental health? You can send us a message at (305) 609-8322 or email us at cc@miamiherbs.com.