Acupuncture for Depression - Treatment Protocols TCM Acupuncture for Depression - Treatment Protocols Acupuncture treatment for Depression - Treatment Protocols Acupuncture Protocol for Depression - Treatment Protocols Acupuncture Treatment Protocol for Depression - Treatment Protocols acupuncture for depression - treatment protocols tcm acupuncture for depression - treatment protocols acupuncture treatment for depression - treatment protocols acupuncture protocol for depression - treatment protocols acupuncture treatment protocol for depression - treatment protocols

Acupuncture for Depression - Treatment Protocols

Below you will find some of the more common tcm diagnoses and acupuncture treatment protocols for depression. There are many ways to approach the treatment of this condition within TCM. Our presentation describes foundational approaches that would need to be further tailored in most cases to be effective for a given individual.

  • Differentiation:
  • LV Qi Stagnation - Excess
    • Signs & Symptoms:
      • Depression with irritability, plum pit qi, chest oppression, PMS.
      • Tongue: Pale or purple w/thin white coat
      • Pulse: Wiry
    • Treatment Points:
      • St. John Treatment Points (with modifications):
      • LV 3 - harmonize LV
      • LI 4 - four gates w/LV 3 above
      • ST 36 - tonify Qi
      • HT 7 - calm spirit
      • GV 20 - clear the mind
  • Phlegm Qi Depression - Excess
    • Signs & Symptoms:
      • Similar to below but arising from LV Qi Stagnation effecting fluid metabolism, depression, chest oppression and other phlegm signs.
      • Tongue: Greasy white coat
      • Pulse: Slippery, wiry
    • Treatment Points:
  • Retention of Phlegm-Damp
    • Signs & Symptoms:
      • Similar to above but arising from SP Qi deficiency, chest oppression, lack of appetite, lack of thirst, fatigue, heaviness of the body.
      • Tongue: Greasy white coat
      • Pulse: Slippery
    • Treatment Points:
  • HT & SP Deficiency
    • Signs & Symptoms:
      • Excessive worrying and thinking, poor concentration, palpitations, insomnia, pale lustreless complexion, poor appetite, fatigue.
      • Tongue: Pale
      • Pulse: Thin, weak
    • Treatment Points:
  • SP & KD Deficiency
    • Signs & Symptoms:
      • Fatigue, sore back and knees, low libido, insomnia, anxiety, cold extremities.
      • Tongue: Pale, swollen
      • Pulse: Deep, fine
    • Treatment Points:

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience. The following lecture notes were consulted within this section:

  • St. John, Meredith: New England School of Acupuncture, Etiology and Pathology Lecture Notes
  • Valaskatgis, Peter: New England School of Acupuncture, Etiology and Pathology Lecture Notes
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