Acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbal therapy reduce stress and improve sleep. We use the NADA auricular acupuncture (see below for more on this) to help with addictions and detoxification, as well as other acupuncture, herb and nutraceutical protocols to address many other mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, OCD and PTSD. Our Stop Smoking and Group Cleanse Programs are especially popular.
Mental Health & Sleep
A fear of needles is common and even anxiety provoking for some. So the fact that acupuncture treatments are deeply calming and relaxing for most can be counter-intuitive. Acupuncture triggers the release of endorphins (endogenous opioid neuropeptides) that have pain-reducing, relaxing and even euphoria-inducing effects. Acupuncture also helps to increase blood flow throughout the body, including endocrine glands like the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands. More blood flowing to the endocrine system helps to regulate their function, which has positive effects on sleep, mood and mental health. We also know that acupuncture down-regulates the sympathetic nervous system, that aspect of our central nervous system that is responsible for the fight-or-flight response. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system drives the low-grade, but relatively constant stress that most people experience to various degrees.
Acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbal therapy offer safe and effective support for many different mental health concerns, including:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Mild-to-moderate depression
- Generalized stress
- Insomnia
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners use both acupuncture and herbal therapy to address health complaints and mental health issues respond particularly well to the combination. Chinese herbal therapy is a nuanced and complex form of medicine that takes many years to master. We are passionate about the practice of herbal medicine, and our acupuncturists have decades of combined experience in their use. If interested, your acupuncturist will design a custom herbal formula consisting of individual herbs specific to your unique constitution and condition.
Cravings & Addictions
In the 1970s a medical doctor in New York City developed an acupuncture protocol for treating addictions, which he called the NADA (National Acupuncture and Detoxification Association) protocol. Since then, thousands of acupuncturists have studied and use the NADA protocol for the treatment of a variety of addictions. The protocol consists of five acupuncture points placed at key points in the ear. We incorporate the NADA protocol into our acupuncture treatments when needed for any health concern involving addictions or cravings. These conditions include:
- Weight loss or management
- Support around eating disorders
- Smoking cessation
- Drug or alcohol addictions
- Sugar cravings
Acupuncture (including the NADA protocol) along with herbal therapy can be very helpful in managing addictions by helping to reduce cravings, stress and anxiety, and in supporting general health and vitality. Though we offer support for all addictions, we’ve specialized in smoking cessation and have designed a unique and effective program for quitting smoking that incorporates acupuncture, herbs and counseling.
