Anxiety & Depression
What are anxiety and depression?
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In medicine we define anxiety specifically as a painful or apprehensive uneasiness about some impending or anticipated ill fortune. Anxiety and fear are normal emotions: the fight-or-flight response is natural in the face of danger or stress. Anxiety and depression often occur together.
The symptoms - rapid heart rate or respiration, tremor, gastrointestinal distress, motor tension (trembling, muscle aches, restlessness, inability to relax), perspiring, dry mouth, dizziness,light headache, insomnia, impatience and irritability, or difficulty in concentrating,raised blood pressure, and possible drug abuse to avoid symptoms.
How can TCM help anxiety and depression ?
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TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) considers the connection between mind and body to be inseparable. One's well-being in mind and spirit is most important to good health. The internal causes of diseases are considered to be due to emotions. Seven emotions, joy, fear, sadness, worry, pensiveness, fright and anger are correlated to each of the organs of the body. Emotions can influence the balance of Qi in the body and this may exacerbate disharmonies. We use acupuncture, Chinese herbs, specific diet, meditations and exercise as energetic interventions that seek to reestablish harmony and equilibrium for each individual within his or her unique environment. Clinically, TCM is not only highly effective in treating emotional problems, but also addresses overall physical conditions. It can relieve specific symptoms and treat causes as well. There are no side effects from acupuncture. Most patients who are currently taking medications are able to either reduce their dosage or eliminate drugs entirely with TCM treatments.