The Oriental approach to depression is very different from
that of Western medicine. The former bases on the physical
to the exclusion of the psychological, whereas the latter
focuses on both the physical and the psychological aspects
of the disease.
The concept of depression in Eastern cultures is not as
well received as it is in Western cultures. This is not to
say that depression is less common in the Orient. In
Eastern cultures, illness is based on the physical rather
than psychological aspects. If you do not have physical
illness, you are not sick. Culturally, the idea of
psychological illness is not well accepted. This leads to
the frequent association of depression with somatic
complaints, because it is much easier for patients to have
a physical complaint than to have a psychological one. In
addition, depression is often a stigma in Eastern cultures.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, depression is largely
related to the stagnation of liver"qi." ("Qi" is internal
life energy coursing through the physical body, nourishing
your body cells with life-giving oxygen. When there is
blockage, instead of smooth flowing, of "qi", disease and
disorder occur.)
Essentially, stagnation of liver "qi" means the "qi" within
your body is not flowing smoothly, resulting in symptoms of
depression. Some of the common lifestyle habits which may
have contributed to the stagnation of "qi" are: lack of
exercise; poor dietary habits – especially fried foods
and/or alcohol; and repressed or overly expressed emotions
- especially anger and/or grief.
Alongside with or as a result of liver "qi" stagnation,
your heart, spleen and kidneys may also be affected. In the
short term, weakness in your spleen may lead to problems
with fatigue and digestion; in the long term, problems
related to phlegm not only can distort your thinking but
also deteriorate the quality of blood in your body, thereby
ultimately affecting your heart with symptoms of insomnia
and restlessness. Your kidneys, being strongly related to
the foundations of "yin" and "yang" in your body (the
Oriental medicine holds that "yin" and "yang" need to
balance and complement each other for harmony and
wellness), are also likely to play a role in your
sluggishness and sleeping problems, which are common
symptoms of depression.
Lifestyle factors also play an important role in improving
your mental health.
In depression, exercise is particularly important. As
depression is often linked to a stagnation of your liver
"qi", movement and the circulation of energy within the
body may resolve this stagnation problem. With the energy
of your body flowing more smoothly, the corresponding
symptoms related to "qi" stagnation should improve. Simple
exercises such as walking and riding a bicycle are often
beneficial, as well as Chinese exercises, such as Tai Chi
and QiGong. In depression, diet is also important. You
should avoid foods contributing to your liver "qi"
stagnation, such as fried foods, excessive meat intake, and
alcohol. Your diet should consist of wholesome foods, which
are beneficial to your liver, such as apples, cabbage,
cucumber and watercress, and which clear your liver qi
stagnation, such as ginger and onion.
Your liver is related to the emotions of anger and
frustration. It is important you learn how to manage your
anger and frustration, including expressing and repressing
them. Stress management plays a critical role.
Since "qi" regulates your spiritual, emotional, mental, and
physical balance, and "qi" is influenced by the opposing
forces of "yin" and "yang," the balance of which is
responsible for the natural flow of "qi" in your body,
acupuncture is most effective in controlling the symptoms
of depression.
In 1998, a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
reported that acupuncture resulted in a 43 percent
reduction in depression symptoms, and that more than 50
percent of patients no longer met the criteria for clinical
depression.
Acupuncture may help your body's immune system function in
an optimum way, thereby guiding your body to heal itself.
Acupuncture may also help your body recover from years of
abuse brought on by medication, excesses in food and drink,
poisoning of chemicals. Acupuncture may even enhance the
efficacy of Saint John's wort.
Your body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points on your
body, connecting with twelve main and eight secondary
pathways known as meridians, which conduct your body's qi
between your body's surface and internal organs.
Acupuncture stimulates these acupuncture points, unblocking
the stagnation of "qi", which in turn enable your central
nervous system to release chemicals into your muscles,
spinal cord, and brain, thereby promoting your body's
natural self-healing capabilities. According to the
National Institute of Health (NIH), studies have shown that
acupuncture may alter your brain chemistry by changing the
release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones in a
beneficial way, thereby attaining the balance of "yin" and
"yang", and the restoration of health and wellness to your
body and mind.
----------------------------------------------------
Stephen Lau is a researcher, writing synopses of medical
research. His publications include "NO MIRACLE CURES - Only
Wholesome Self-Healing," a book on healing and wellness. He
has created several websites, including "Longevity For You"
and "The Way Of Zen - A Healthy Lifestyle" on health, and
"Golf Tips And Information Center" on playing golf.
http://www.longevityforyou.com
http://www.zenhealthylifestyle.com
http://www.golfingsuccessinfo.com
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