Feeling down during the holiday season can be tough. Acupuncture can help manage many common depression symptoms.
A study published by researchers from the University of York showed patients suffering from depression may benefit more from acupuncture or counseling with their usual care, compared with usual care alone. The researchers conducted a study of 755 patients with moderate to severe depression from primary care practices in the north of England. After three months of treatment, the patients were required to complete a health survey, detailing what depressive thoughts or feelings they had over the study period.
The survey outcome showed that patients who received acupuncture or counseling, plus their usual care regime, showed a significant reduction in average depression scores. Researchers concluded acupuncture should be considered as an additional treatment for depressed individuals to achieve better clinical effects.