Turning to Alternative Therapy for Depression and Mental Health Month

Depression is a national problem, but drugs are not always the answer. According to recent studies, acupuncture and massage may be a valuable adjunct therapy for those suffering from depression during National Depression and Mental Health Month this October.

An estimated 18.8 million American adults are clinically depressed. Even more disturbing is the link between depression and physical illness; many people who are ill or have been diagnosed with chronic diseases become depressed as a result. Numerous studies by the National Mental Health Association and independent clinic trial organizations also show that depression can lead to other health problems. Up to one-half of all visits to primary care physicians are due to conditions that are caused or exacerbated by mental or emotional problems.

As a prescription-oriented society, the Western medical community's first response to helping patients overcome depression is to provide patients with drugs like Zoloft and Prozac; as a result approximately 7 million Americans now take some form of antidepressant.

However, in a study of 2,318 patients conducted by the University of Colorado , only 20 percent of the patients taking these drugs were found to improve as a result. Furthermore, studies show that these drugs may even increase the risk of suicide rather than decrease it.

Acupuncture and massage provide safe, effective alternatives to controversial antidepressants. According to Chinese medical practitioners, qi , or energy, is conducted between the surface of the body and internal organs along pathways called meridians. It is qi that regulates spiritual, emotional, mental and physical balance. When the flow of qi is disrupted through poor health habits or other circumstances, disease can result. Acupuncture and massage keep the flow of this energy unblocked.

Because Chinese medical practitioners treat patients as individuals, they consequently treat the true source of the depression instead of just prescribing pills.

For more information on how acupuncture and massage can help depression, please call Pacific College at (800) 729-0941 or visit www.PacificCollege.edu.

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