Acupuncture In The Treatment Of Depression

This pioneering book unites both western and traditional Chinese medicine to present a step-by-step methodology for evaluating and treating depression with acupuncture. Using research-oriented trials, it addresses fundamental issues in acupuncture research and offers guidelines for the design of acupuncture treatment studies.

This book systematically introduces the Brain in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and its acupuncture treatments. It discusses the origin and development of the TCM Brain theory, and presents current research on brain and acupuncture, the unique brain related techniques such as scalp acupuncture and Dao-qi technique, the new developing acupuncture treatment methods for brain-related conditions, such as stroke, Parkinson’s, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, autism, cerebral palsy and depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder among others. This book is of interest to TCM and acupuncture practitioners in the West, as well as acupuncture researchers and lecturers. It gives a new understanding of the brain and treatments for brain-related conditions from a complementary medicine point of view.

本书分别从中医和现代医学角度论述了抑郁症的概念、病因病机、临床表现、诊断要点及鉴别诊断,并着重从中医方面分析了抑郁症的辨证分型,简要概括了近几十年来针灸治疗抑郁症的机制的研究进展、临床应用,以辨证论治为基础,提出了针灸治疗抑郁症的具体方法,最后列举了针灸治疗抑郁症的常用腧穴、临床典型病例。

An up-to-date guide to the principles and practice of Chinese and Western ear acupuncture, this book is aimed at both the student and practitioner. It includes chapters covering ear acupuncture used in the treatment of addiction and Western theories about how acupuncture works.

Acupuncture therapy has been practiced in China and other Asian countries for more than two thousand years. Modern clinical research has confirmed the impressive therapeutic effect of acupuncture on numerous human ailments, such as controlling pain, nausea, and vomiting. However, the biological mechanisms of acupuncture are still under debate. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the mechanism of acupuncture therapy is explained by a meridian model. According to this model, acupuncture is believed to treat the diseased organs by modulating two conditions known as Yin and Yang, which represent all the opposite principles that people find in the universe, both inside and outside the human body. Yin and Yang complement each other, and are subjected to changes between each other. The balance of Yin and Yang is thought to be maintained by Qi, an energy substance flowing constantly through the meridian, a network connecting all the organs of the body. The illness, according to this theory, is the temporary dominance of one principle over the other, owing to the blockade of the Qi from flowing through the meridian under certain circumstance. The axiom of “No stagnation, No pain” in TCM summarizes this concept. Thus, the goal of acupuncture treatment is to restore the balance of Yin and Yang conditions in the diseased organ(s). This theory has been considered to be useful to guide this ancient therapy, such as carrying out diagnosis, deciding on the principle, and selecting the acupoints.

Complementary and alternative treatments for two of the most prevalent mental health complaints. Whether it’s the latest diet craze, acupuncture, fish oil, vitamin D, St. John’s wort, or some new “miracle mood cure,” many therapists don’t feel sufficiently well versed in the various complementary and alternative (CAM) remedies out there to give a sound opinion. Others may fear deleterious side-effects or interactions with psychiatric drugs their clients are already taking. Even more pervasive is the safety concern that their clients may inappropriately experiment with these treatments in lieu of more potent and, sometimes, necessary conventional care. This book addresses all these common concerns and more when it comes to treating anxiety and depression, providing an essential framework for understanding holistic care and helping to make sense of the alternative solutions available. Bongiorno, a naturopath who regularly works with mental health clients, walks readers through the fundamentals, laying out the basic principles of holistic care, the most salient CAM research to date as well as its safety concerns, and steps to take to determine if it’s appropriate to introduce a CAM modality to your client’s treatment. He also explains when holistic approaches may not be appropriate. Readers are then taught how to assess lifestyle and physiological factors that can contribute to a client’s anxiety and depression, such as sleep, diet, caffeine intake, exercise, sunlight exposure, media use, low blood sugar, cholesterol levels, thyroid issues, hormone issues, digestive health, and more. With an understanding of these underlying factors in place, the book goes on to outline the most effective vitamins, minerals, botanicals, and mind-body therapies for anxiety and depression—from amino acids to zinc, acupuncture to Qi gong, and everything in between—including dosages, best applications, and contraindications. How to work integratively when a client is already on an anxiolytic or antidepressant is also covered. A final chapter explains exactly how to make recommendations and design a successful treatment plan best suited to your client. With instructive graphics and loads of case vignettes, this resource is your go-to guide for understanding the complementary and alternative options for two of therapy’s most ubiquitous problems.

Acupuncture has been practiced for more than 2500 years in the Western Pacific region and has become a global therapeutic method in recent decades. However, it was reported that acupuncturists differed by up to 25% in the acupuncture points they used, raising doubts and uncertainty regarding the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment, as well as causing difficulties in the fields of acupuncture research and education. Member States therefore increasingly began to demand standardization in acupuncture point locations. Responding to this request, the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office initiated a project to reach consensus on acupuncture point locations and thus convened 11 serial meetings resulting in these guidelines. This Standard acupuncture point locations in the Western Pacific Region stipulates the methodology for locating acupuncture points on the surface of the human body, as well as the locations of 361 acupuncture points. The Standard is applicable for teaching, research, clinical service, publication, and academic exchanges involving acupuncture.