Emotional well-being is yet another strong suit for TCM. Acupuncture generally elicits a sense of well-being and ease, similar to how you feel after yoga or during meditation. Patients often feel that their time on the treatment table is one of their high points of the week, as it offers an opportunity to relax and tune-in. We live in such a fast-paced world. Each of us, on our own course, comes to points in life when we understand that we need more support, clarity, or possibly just some peace and quiet. Sometimes these regular acupuncture check-ins can be just the right thing for getting your self back on track with a clarity of purpose and a sense of peace in your actions. Sometimes, stronger medicine in the form of custom herbal formulas and supplements or a more structured diet and lifestyle are necessary to find the balance you seek.

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Depression and Anxiety: It is estimated that 1 in 6 people suffer from depression or anxiety. People who have mild to moderate depression and anxiety may find that the side effects of SSRIs or other medications outweigh the benefits. Many others are simply experiencing undiagnosed hormonal imbalances, burn-out, or the side-effects of the wrong diet and lifestyle choices and sense that there is a way out that stems from nourishing and understanding their self at a deeper level.

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Insomnia: Depending on which study you read, between 10% and 30% of adults world-wide experience one or more of the symptoms of insomnia regularly (4). This is a condition that is near and dear to my heart for, as far as I can tell, I have been an insomniac my whole life. I have found TCM to be one of the only avenues that explains and treats my condition in a way that is resolvable when it pops up from time to time. I fully understand the impact lack of a good night's sleep can have on a healthy person. I also know that getting out of a bad sleep cycle is completely doable without prescription medication.

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In TCM, we do not separate the mind, body, and spirit. People seeking treatment for depression or insomnia are often surprised to find that TCM may see something in your mental health that a psychiatrist would not, such as a lack of connection to your life's purpose, or an inability to "digest" the nourishment from your relationships. Adding in lab work and pharmaceutical grade natural supplements can be helpful if there are hormonal or chemical imbalances. There is no one size fits all prescription for something as diverse as each individual's suffering. Rather, there is an opportunity to sit down together to look at where you are stuck and where you can, that day, go home and make something a little different happen that is on the path to a healthier and a better you in the long-run.
 

In addition to standard TCM training, I study 5 Elements and classical Daoist medicine, both of which inspire my treatments for sensitive patients who are working through spiritual and emotional difficulties.

 

Mental Health Concerns That Benefit from Chinese Medicine: 

•   Seeking allignment or integration

•   Stress

•   Feeling disenfrancised, overwhelmed or hopeless

•   Brain Fog

•   Anxiety

•   Insomnia

•   Depression

•   Over-exercising or other repetitive activities

•   Grieving

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The above list of metal & emotional conditions we treat is not comprehensive. If your condition is not listed, please feel free to call or email the clinic to schedule a free 15 minute initial phone consultation. If we do not feel that we are the best health care providers for you, we will provide you with referrals to help you on your way to better health.

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Sources:

4. "Insomnia: Definition; Prevalence; Etiology and Consequences"