28 Aug Improve your mental outlook with Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
Mental health is fast becoming a topic that is more openly discussed, therefore more people are seeing help and resources to understand their options. In fact, mental health disorders are very common 44% Australians aged between 16-85 years have reported that they have experienced a mental health disorder at some time in their life, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The most common mental health concerns are depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders.
Mental health problems can be physically, emotionally, and economically demanding, with far reaching impacts on patients, friends, family, and society. Traditional Chinese Medicine views mental health in a holistic manner and treatment is based on the individuals’ symptoms.
In the case of depression, one might feel persistent sadness, hopelessness, irritability loss of interest in activities, sleep disturbances, fatigue, appetite or weight fluctuations and digestive complaints.
Whereas anxiety may cause excessive sweating, increased heart rate, palpitations, eating disorders, shortness of breath, intense fear, difficulty concentrating and sleeping.
Anxiety and Depression are commonly treated in Western medicine with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’S)and psychotherapy. Often, however, the side effects of the medication can be unwanted. An integrative approach has many benefits as a combined support team, we can work alongside Western medicine to relive the side effects of medication.
When choosing Chinese medicine, you’ll have an individual approach to your health as we seek to understand the root cause. We understand life sometimes has ups and downs and the stress in our modern lifestyle can feel overwhelming so you may be feeling these symptoms mildly or more severely, no judgment, where here to help! Treatment may include acupuncture, cupping, massage, Gua sha, herbal medicine and lifestyle advice. A treatment plan may focus on calming the mind or reducing irritability or relieving digestive complaints. Often many of these symptoms are combined and are at times debilitating.
Acupuncture and cupping- is an effective treatment for relieving the tension and stagnation of the body. It also provides a calming effect on the nervous system and triggers a response from the immune system and the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers. It is relaxing, most patients find acupuncture extremely therapeutic and may even fall asleep during the treatment.
Chinese Herbal medicine is over 2000 years old and is a safe and effective treatment for depression and anxiety symptoms. And what’s more its natural and focuses on harmonizing the body’s internal environment to affect the emotional and mental aspects of health and well being.
In Chinese Medicine mental and emotional health relate to The Five Elements for example:
Liver – wood element when out of balance may lead to anger, feelings of frustration, irritability, frustration, feeling depressed, or stuck.
Heart– fire element when out of balance may lead to agitation, anxiety, insomnia, shyness, chest pain, manic behavior.
Lung- metal element- when out of balance may experience sadness, grief, loneliness, tendency to overreact.
Kidney- water element when out of balance feels illogical fears, lack of motivation, will power, introverted or reckless behaviors.
Spleen – earth element when out of balance leads to worry and overthinking, seeking pleasure through food, muscular pain.
We all experience a range of emotions, and this is healthy its when we are stuck in an emotion and it’s affecting the way we live and engage with work and relate to others that it becomes a problem. Mental health is a state of well-being that enables us to cope with the stresses of life, grow, learn, work, and contribute to our community. Many of us will experience a mental health crisis, but we’ll move beyond the crisis to a point of healing.
At Balance Life Health Care, we are here to support you. As a Chinese Medicine practitioner my special interest is Mental health and well being, I can offer a range of treatment methods to balance and restore harmony to the body and emotions. This kind of treatment approach also allows insights for the patient to better understand their body’s symptoms. To book an Appointment visit our online booking page HERE
About the Author
Dr Jo Carpenter (TCM) is an Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbalist who is passioante about supporting mental health through the use of Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Cupping, and Gua Sha. To find out more about Dr Jo visit her page HERE . To book an appointment with Dr Jo visit our online booking page HERE
