Anxiety and Depression

Mental health issues can leave a person feeling isolated and adrift. Fortunately, there are a number of therapies that might offer some relief.

Here at Newtown Acupuncture Centre, we regularly see how anxiety and depression can effect peoples health and sense of physical wellness. Our acupuncturists take a special interest in mental health, with Xiao having completed a postgraduate certificate in mental health nursing and Laura being part of 'Acupuncture for Mental Health' (AMH) a Wellington based focus group looking at advocacy, policy and research in the field of mental health and Chinese medicine.

Do I need a referral from my GP or a specialist?

No, you can self refer to acupuncture. You can also use acupuncture alongside conventional medications prescribed by your doctor, or alongside counselling or therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

What if I am anxious about needles?

It's very normal to have some anxiety about acupuncture, and most people are a little scared initially. If the anxiety around the needles persists, and the benefits are not outweighing the anxiety the needles trigger, talk to your practitioner about other treatment options such as acupressure or massage. Head, scalp, face and neck massage may also be added to the acupuncture treatment to help you relax. Where appropriate, we also recommend a number of Chinese herbal formula's that can be used to support mental and physical health.

How long before I will see effects?

Every person is unique, however we usually recommend 6-10 treatments over an 8 week period in order to observe consistent changes in a persons mood and physical symptoms and make further recommendations from there. Acupuncture can also be used as a one off treatment as needed.