By Dr. Blaise Ryan
Today, more than 28 million Americans are taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs. That number is almost the entire population of Canada! In 1998, doctors wrote more than 130 million prescriptions for anti-depressants. This is not a simple case of the blues, these numbers liken it to an epidemic.
According to the Physicians’ Desk Reference, the top antidepressant drugs only address signs and symptoms associated with depression. And can cause a variety of side effects, including:
· insomnia,
· anxiety,
· listlessness,
· fatigue,
· body rash,
· tremors,
· facial tics,
· diarrhea,
· loss of appetite,
· sexual dysfunction,
· And Many more
Depression alone is stressful enough on the body – and while medications may provide temporary relief, they can cause further health damages.
On top of that, antidepressants don’t ever cure depression. Most of the time, if you want to get off of antidepressants you will be faced with the same feelings that brought you to the medication in the first place.
How Acupuncture Can Help You?
By incorporating thousands of years of experience in treating depression, acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are one of the safest, most natural and tested options available to you. Not only can your symptoms of depression be alleviated, but the underlying root causes of your feelings can be addressed as well.
We are aware of the powerful and inseperable interplay between our body and emotions. When we experience emotional upset, our internal environment also becomes disrupted. Likewise, when we experience physical problems, are emotions are greatly affected.
Over time, this disruption leads to what Chinese medicine calls “stagnant or depressed Qi”. Qi is roughly translated as vital energy. This diagnosis of stagnant Qi is unique to Chinese medicine.
Eventually the stagnant Qi leads to a disharmony within our body occurs, affecting our physical and emotional well-being. If not properly treated, this imbalance may lead to depression.
How Will We Help You?
During your first visit, our doctor will take a complete health history in order to evaluation where, why and how your Qi has stagnated or depressed. Once this is determined an individual treatment plan will be tailored to your needs and specific symptoms.
The goal of your treatment plan will be to activate the movement of Qi throughout your entire body. Also, our focus will be to address the root causes of your underlying imbalances.
By treating your body as a whole and unique organism, acupuncture can support recovery from illness and disease and move towards health and happiness.
Key Points to Remember Throughout Your Acupuncture Treatments:
- Acupuncture is not a magic pill. You may require weeks or months of treatment in order to see lasting results. Give yourself as much time as you need so that you can experience the maximum benefits that Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture have to offer.
- Surround yourself with positivity. Support yourself with people whom you trust, who will encourage you and give you objective and unbiased insight. Avoid listening, reading and watching negative news. Especially before bed as this can affect your subconscious before sleep.
- Breathe, go slow, and think things through. Don’t make too many life changes all at once. Unless you are really fed up and hungry for a dramatic shift. Make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew. You don’t want to overwhelm your emotions.
- Try to get at least 20 minutes of simple exercise at least 3 days a week. Take a daily walk, breathe deeply and let it all go.
- Remember you are not alone. Others are having similar experiences. Reach out to people who are in a better place than you and who will honestly support you.
- Smile (and seek laughter)
Get started today and feel great again.
To book your first acupuncture treatment at our Ottawa location, simply call us at 613-216-2135 or click here to book online NOW !
