Up to 40% of the population experience depression at some stage in their lives, of these 20% experience clinical depression. Clinical depression symptoms often include low mood, insomnia, a change in appetite pessimism and suicidal thoughts. In western medicine it is recognised that a number of factors can lead to depression e.g. genetics, biochemistry, life events and environment and ill health.

In Chinese medicine each organ has a related emotion and the liver's emotions are anger and depression. Often with depression / anxiety and even stress the liver energy becomes restricted or stagnant. Since the livers function involves ensuring the free flow of qi in the body this can have various knock on effects such as digestive / menstrual problems etc. Treatment aims to restore the free flow of the livers energy to resolve the various symptoms experienced by individuals with depression. This can be achieved using acupuncture, herbs lifestyle and dietary changes. results can be seen within a number of treatments and a course of treatment usually depends on the lenght and severity of the condition.

Studies in the U.S. have shown that in the treatment of 33 seriously depressed women with acupuncture over 50% recovered. Research conducted in the states has concluded that acupuncture achieves comparable results to current western biomedicine in the treatment of depression.

If you are experiencing any form of depression feel free to contact me for a consultation.