Acupuncture and the Amygdala Connection

by Gord Grant PhD, RAc In traditional practices, acupuncture has been used to effectively treat anxiety problems, with or without depression. Now, modern research has shown that acupuncture can be as clinically significant as psychological counselling in the treatment of depression. Recent studies have linked psychological depression with activation of the amygdalae, an important little pair of almond-shaped structures located behind the eyes and about as far back as the…

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The Point of Acupuncture

Acupuncture Needle on Shoulder Muscle

The Point of Acupuncture  – one point at a time. This blog series will address our understanding of handful of the most special acupuncture points, one by one, both in a historical context of oriental philosophy, and also the evidence shown by science to date on why and how each point may be working therapeutically. We have discussed acupuncture mechanism before in general ways (see the facia connection), but this…

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Acupuncture works for more than pain

Acupuncture works for more than pain Acupuncture is best known for its association with a release of endorphins (your natural pain-killers) and also its ability to relax tight or contracted muscles.  Acupuncture is evolving with the help of evidence-based studies which validate and demonstrate not only how it can relieve back pain (read how we treat back pain here), but also how it therapeutically modulates the nervous, and endocrine (hormone),…

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Acupuncture helps for depression

by Gord Grant PhD, RAc Acupuncture or counselling, provided alongside usual care, can benefit patients  with depression, according to a large, well-designed study. Unfortunately, antidepressants alone don’t work for more than half of patients. There is a demand and a need for non-drug solutions for mental health issues like depression. “Until recently”, says Dr. Hugh MacPherson and his research team, “systematic reviews of acupuncture and counselling for depression in primary care have…

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