Acupuncture for Depression
Depression does not discriminate and can affect almost anyone, from children to the elderly. According to a 2011 Center for Disease Control statistic, 1 out of 10 adults between the ages of 45-64 are prone to bouts of major depression.
According to the most recent medical literature, those prominently affected are women (especially after pregnancy), African Americans, Hispanics, those with less than a high school education, people divorced or unemployed and those without health care.
Conventional treatment can range from talk therapy (psychotherapy) to mild and aggressive anti-depressants including SSRI’s, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. Integrative Med Solutions (IMS) approaches depression with the dual protocol of acupuncture and naturopathic medicine. Searching for deep mental, emotional, as well as physical layers that can be addressed and strengthened is the unique, individual, discreet, non-judgmental attention each person receives at IMS.
Acupuncture: Moving Stuck Energy
Acupuncture works by moving along your qi (chee) also known as your life energy. When qi becomes sluggish or stuck, depression as well as other symptoms can arise. Licensed acupuncturist, Dr. Lisanti of IMS finds the specific meridians (pathways) along your body that may respond to the painless, safe treatment of acupuncture. One such formula known as the 4 gates is working the points of Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4 which combined move stuck energy through enhanced blood circulation. Liver 3 is located on the top (dorsum) of the foot at the beginning space between the big toe (1st metatarsal) and the 2nd metatarsal. Large Intestine 4 sits between the thumb and pointer finger directly in the center of the “web”. This is also known as The Great Eliminator used to relieve headaches and other discomforting challenges.
Counseling: The Naturopathic Mind
Dr. Lisanti has been trained in several counseling formats that can be applied to the different stages of depression. Along with other naturopathic remedies, counseling works hand-in-hand by incorporating such techniques as: mind-body therapy, clinical hypnosis and short term situational counseling.
Clinical Nutrition: Mood Lifting Foods
IMS can help you assess the foods that are discouraging and encouraging your emotional health. By treating food as clinical nutrition rather than a treat, mood swings, lethargy and your overall outlook on life can be positively affected. For example, brown rice contains B1 and B3 vitamins as well as folic acid that, combined with its low-glycemic index (sugar is gradually released into the blood), can prevent sugar lows and mood swings.
Environmental Medicine
Living in a highly toxic society can be a strain on the physical and mental systems. Even those in rural communities are not immune to water, food and chemical challenges. By determining what outside synthetic energy exposure may be taxing your system, Dr. Lisanti can assess your full surroundings when depression has been a struggle. Interestingly, low light as found in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can be a natural cause of temporary depression.
Using some of the above remedies along with many others such as botanical medicine, nutraceutical supplementation and homeopathy, Integrative Med Solutions will design an acupuncture and naturopathic treatment program that works just for you. In many cases, insurance covers portions of the acupuncture treatment. Allow us to support you to achieve optimal health. To make an appointment or find out more about how acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can benefit you, please call our office at 914.337.2980 or click here to schedule an online appointment.
*Please CLICK HERE to see a current list of Insurance Companies that commonly carry acupuncture benefits for its members. Please call 914.337.2980 or securely email info@intmedsolutions.com to verify your specific benefits. If you are emailing, please include your full name, date of birth and insurance identification card number.