Patient information:
The patient is a 35-year-old woman who has been experiencing symptoms of depression, including persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities she once enjoyed, low energy, difficulty sleeping, and trouble concentrating. She has been feeling this way for several months and has tried various medications and therapy, but has not seen much improvement in her symptoms. She is interested in trying acupuncture as a complementary treatment.
Assessment:
During the consultation the acupuncturist talked to the patient about what she has experienced and how it’s has effected her life. The acupuncturist conducted an assessment of the patient’s overall health and mental health, taking into account any underlying physical health conditions, stress levels, and lifestyle factors. Based on her individual needs, the acupuncturist designed an initial treatment plan of 20 treatments that consist of twice weekly acupuncture treatments for 8 weeks followed by once weekly treatments for four weeks. After this initial treatment the patient would need maintenance treatments that ranged between once every two weeks to once every 8 weeks depending on how the patient responded.
Treatment:
The acupuncturist chose specific points on the patient’s body address the root causes of the patient’s condition. The points act to stimulate the flow of energy and improve the patient’s overall well-being. Some of the points that were used to treat depression included the Shenmen point, located on the ear, which helps to calm the mind and ease anxiety, as well as the Yintang point, located between the eyebrows, which helps alleviate feelings of stress and promote relaxation. Additional points were chosen through out the body on the arms and legs.
During the acupuncture session, the acupuncturist inserted thin needles into the selected points, and the patient rested comfortably for 20 minutes while the needles were in place. The acupuncturist monitored the patient’s progress throughout treatment and adjusting the treatment plan as needed.
Results:
After four weeks of acupuncture treatment, the patient reported feeling less anxious and more relaxed. She was sleeping better and had more energy during the day. She also experienced fewer symptoms of depression, such as sadness and loss of interest in activities she once enjoyed. She continued to receive acupuncture treatments and her symptoms continued to improve. After completing the 20 treatments she reported feeling better than she had in years and has taken up tennis that she loved playing in high school. The patient has continued with maintenance treatments and has found that doing a treatment every six weeks works well for her.
Conclusion:
Acupuncture can be an effective tool for someone looking to improve their mental health. It can be used as a stand alone treatment or in conjunction with other modalities such as medication and therapy.