Integrative Acupuncture Center

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine serving Ridgewood and Paramus, NJ

Call Today: 201.444.7150 69 West Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ
Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on E-mailFollow Us on YouTube
  • Home
  • Services
    • Acupuncture
    • Cupping
  • Meet Joshua
    • Meet Joshua Goldstein
    • FAQ
    • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Conditions Treated
    • Acupuncture for Stress Relief!
    • Is Acupuncture Effective for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
    • 4 Reasons Acupuncture Helps With Pregnancy
  • Videos
  • Contact

Treating Anxiety, Depression and Stress -Differing Perspectives East and West

November 16, 2021 By Joshua Goldstein, Ridgewood Acupuncturist

In Chinese Medicine, Emotional Balance is directly related to your blood flow…Two differing perspectives on Mental Health

There are two model approaches when treating anxiety, depression and stress.

Brain and Neurotransmitters Regulation for Emotional Balance

The western approach emphasizes that it is critical that the brain is the focus of mental health in the body. The brain, needs to have crucial regulation of neurotransmitters in regulating moods and feeling states. When there is an imbalance of neurotransmitters, medications are used to regulate the neurotransmitters of the brain.

Mood Stabilizers and the Role of Neurotransmitters for Emotional Balance

Finding Emotional Balance both physically and emotinally

Mood-stabilizing drugs for depression or anxiety are prescribed for people suffering from anxiety, depression, and disinterest in life. Most of these are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters), and include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa and Lexapro. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter allows communication between central nervous system neurons, and if deficient, can lead to depression. Western medicines hope to keep existing serotonin in circulation without being reabsorbed. Other pharmaceutical strategies include tricyclic antidepressants, which prevent or inhibit,  the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine  in the receptor sites in the brain, and so try to plug up these receptor sites allowing the existing neurotransmitters to float around the brain and be used for regulating moods. Some medications that do this include include Adapin, Elavil, Norpramin and Pamelor. MAO antidepressants, which inhibit monamine oxidase, which degrades neurotransmitters, and includes Marplan, Nardil and Parnate; and finally, “second generation” medicines, each working with unique mechanisms, and include Desyrel, Effexor, Remeron, Serzone, Cymbalta, and Wellbutrin.

These medicines do not build or create more neurotransmitters, but try to keep existing neurotransmitters in circulation longer. Often, clinically, the effectiveness of a single medicine plateaus – it works for a while, but then seems to stop working. Doctors will then rotate or substitute with another medicine, designed to keep these neurotransmitters in the brain freed up for use.

What is known in depression is that the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine become depleted. The Western approach is to keep more serotonin and norepinephrine in circulation.

 Enhancing Blood Flow to the “Organs of the Mind” is Key for Finding Emotional Balance

Chinese medicine acknowledged that the brain existed but distributed consciousness and emotions throughout the body. Each organ system related to a certain aspect of consciousness and emotional states. The body mind connection is mirrored in the dual nature of organ systems, one physical  functioning, the other mental functioning.

To enhance relaxation and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, a search for the “sick” organ is done. By uncovering the weak organ, it can be strengthened and blood flow can be increased to the organ so the emotional state will improve as well. Once the general condition of the body is uncovered, acupuncture and appropriate herbs can be prescribed specifically to fix that problem.

Increasing blood flow to key organs notably the heart, the liver and the adrenal glands are the organs of the mind that get effected the most.

When there is poor blood flow in the heart- anxiety, palpitations, and  panic attacks as well as insomnia can be the result.

When there is poor blood flow through the liver organ, via the hepatic artery,  you experience fatigue, irritability, anger, and a sense of underlying frustration.

If there are so many thoughts, worry, or constant overworking of your brain, the stomach can turn into knots, and you can feel the “mental motor” running in overdrive.

Constant stress weakens the adrenal gland which is responsible for energy in the body.

From a Chinese medicine view, poor blood flow to specific organs are the cause for imbalances in the mood and by extension, neurotransmitter imbalances.

Many people suffer from anxiety for example,  due to less oxygen getting to your heart. remember, arteriosclerosis is one culprit for this. You may be able to run and be cardiovascularly fit, however, if the coronary arteries are minutely blocked due to the deposition of arteriosclerosis, (which occurs as we age) you will experience less than optimal oxygen feeding your heart. Remember, arteriosclerosis is the slow march to blocked arteries and can take many, many years to develop and remains undetected in modern tests, because you aren’t sick enough to trip a test yet. However, to a Chinese medicine practitioner if this is truly the case, the application of increasing blood flow to the heart, breaking up some of the plaque and then strengthening the heart, with acupuncture and herbs will help you sleep better and relax easier. Enhancing blood flow to the heart will improve your anxiety, enhance your sleep, and settle you mentally and reduce the dreaded panic attack. This is just one example of a personalized treatment.

If you are looking for more ways to achieve emotional balance, and help you deal with anxiety, depression or generalized stress and “burn-out” Chinese medicine includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal preparation and lifestyle and diet recommendations and can be used as a stand alone treatment or in conjunction with medication, therapy, exercise, diet and meditation. For many it can be the missing piece to the puzzle.

If you are looking for more help with your unique condition, I invite you to call me to discuss your unique condition in a non-pressurized consult.  Feel free to contact me at 201-4447150 or email me at Joshua @acupunctureYES.com. I am located on the West side of Ridgewood, NJ in the ehart of Bergen County, New Jersey.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: acupuncture; chinese medicine; emotional balance

Recent Posts

  • How Acupuncture Benefits Your Body by Enhancing Blood Flow
  • Treating Anxiety, Depression and Stress -Differing Perspectives East and West
  • Treating Hidden Causes of Seasonal Allergies
  • The Body as a Microcosm of the Universe- Microcosm in Acupuncture and Life
  • How long does acupuncture take to work for back pain?

Archives

Integrative Acupuncture Center

Testimonials

I returned to this office for pain related to a sports injury. I had pain in the upper body region from boxing and sparing and was not getting relief from the medications prescribed to me from the orthopedist. My most recent injury was preventing me from even raising my arm to brush my teeth as well… Read more
Donna, Haworth, NJ
When I first came into see Joshua, I had pain in my foot from running. Previously, I had tried icing, rest, and stretching. When I tried the services from Integrative Acupuncture Center, I noticed the results were incredibly helpful. After just two sessions all pain in the targeted area was gone and… Read more
Rosesann, Ramsey, NJ
I have suffered from headaches all of my life between four to five times per week. I have gone to physicians and have only been prescribed medications for my headaches. The results were always the same, and I always felt foggy due to the medication. I was referred to Joshua’s office through a frie… Read more
Anthony, Paramus, NJ
I cannot begin to thank Joshua enough for his help. My experience and results with him were wonderful. He is not focused on just helping you ameliorate your specific problems, but he also looks at everything else going on with your body rather than just one piece of you. He genuinely wants to help y… Read more
Dee, Hewitt, NJ
I had an L-5 fracture in my back, a broken ankle and arthritis in both ankles. Pain also existed in my lower back and ankles. I was referred to Integrative Acupuncture from my brother, who is a chiropractor, and through his website. Since seeing Joshua, my sleeping is 80% better. My lower back pain … Read more
Jim, Ridgewood, NJ
My experience with him was phenomenal. He [Joshua Goldstein] is very good at what he does and he has a very well rounded approach to helping. I would recommend him to anyone, especially if they suffer from stress or aches.
Anastasia, Fairlawn, NJ
GET YOUR FREE EBOOK
Enter your name and email address to get instant access to this informative ebook now!

Contact

Integrative Acupuncture Center
69 West Ridgewood Avenue
Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Phone: 201.444.7150

Copyright © 2023 · Integrative Acupuncture Center · Acupuncture Ridgewood
201.444.7150 · 69 West Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ
HOME | MEET JOSHUA | CONDITIONS TREATED | TESTIMONIALS | FAQ | BLOG | CONTACT
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine serving Ridgewood and Paramus, NJ
Website Design Virtual Design, LLC

Do You Have a Question?

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Your Question