2006-08-12 19:19:34 · 11 answers · asked by lemonpaper266 1 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
As a Licensed Acupuncturist in Colorado, here is my input:
First, Nothing "cures" bipolar - nothing!
BiPolar disorder is a "western medical" diagnosis - it is not a phrase generally recognized by Oriental Mecine i.e. acupuncture. Acupuncture does work on the body's imbalances and affects neurotransmitters as well as hormones and other physiological mechanisms.
However, there isn't a "cross-over" for "this treats bipolar"; what it does is "treat the person with a bipolar diagnosis". In Chinese Medicine they use terms that determine what the imbalance is, what organs form the root of the condition of the whole body and treat the whole person (bipolar is a sign of an imbalance - the intake, diagnosis/differentiation determines where the imbalances lie in the individual person).
If you are seeking an acupuncturist, make sure that they are Licensed in your state, have gone to a school of Chinese Medicine for at least 4 years, graduated and passed the National Certification (NCCAOM). Ask those specific questions: 1. Where did you go to school, 2. Are you NCCAOM Certified and 3. Are you Licensed in this state as an Acupuncturist. Lettered Credentials should include NCCAOM Dipl.Ac. (Diplomate in Acupuncture) and L.Ac. (Licensed Acupuncturist) or DOM, DAOM (Doctor of Oriental Medicine/ Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) or Acupuncture Physician (Ac. Phy).
If they are an MD, Chiropractor or Osteopath - they most likely did not get full training in Chinese Medicine; find someone qualified.
With that said, you should still be under the care of an MD so they can regulate your needs for medication. L.Ac's can also help you with herbal formulas, dietary therapy and lifestyle issues that can keep you balanced - try to keep open communication between your L.Ac and your MD.
One final thing. There is a branch of Chinese Medicine called 5-Element or Classical 5-Element, if your practitioner is familiar with and uses this style correctly, they can probably help you more than a TCM practitioner (but either will do well).
Good Luck,
You can find a practitioner in your area through your local Acupuncture Association (google Acupuncture Association and your state) or through Acupuncturefinder.com
In response to the highly uneducated response that preceeds mine: Acupuncture needles are approved by the FDA as class II medical supplies. Drug companies cannot patent them anymore than someone can patent a spoon or a fork. Herbs, are natural substances grown out of nature - these too cannot be patented anymore than corn can be patented. What the drug companies do is find what is considered the "active ingredient" of an herb, then they create a synthetic form of that and THAT they can patent. For instance, Aspirin comes from an ingredient in willow bark and Premarin is a hormone from the urine of female horses. Beware of the uneducated!
2006-08-12 21:20:23 · answer #1 · answered by advancedmaster 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can help some of the effects of it and actually can be a great assistance to the side effects of medicine but in and of itself - no. Acupunture won't change the brain chemisrty radically enough to prevent bi-polar episodes.
2006-08-12 19:22:15 · answer #2 · answered by yogangel7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but there are studies that are showing how chiropractic manipulations of the vertebrae pressing on the vagus nerve can help relieve depression.
The vagus nerve is a large nerve that runs through the spinal vertebrae and supplies many parts of your body with nerve function. If a vertebrae gets out of alignment, it may pinch off the nerve to keep it from functioning up to its full ability. This can cause many different problems, one of which appears to be depression.
Here is my chiropractor's website http://www.schiffmanchiropractic.com/ . In the search, put in depression and it will bring up things for you to read on the subject.
2006-08-12 19:39:17 · answer #3 · answered by Chalkbrd 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Acupuncture cannot cure anything. Does anyone seriously believe that sticking a couple of needles in your elbow could actually affect a serious mental problem. If it were in any way effective one of the drug companies would have slapped patents on it years ago
the same as they would if there were anything in some of these herbal remedies. You would be getting them on prescription and they would be raking in the cash. Get real!!!!!!!
2006-08-12 19:42:03 · answer #4 · answered by virginia o 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I used to get accu for depression and anxiety, it did help me but everyone reacts differently. I would def suggest it cause it can't hurt...what do you have to lose?
If you ever get the chance to try Biofeedback for bipolar, def do that too. It's amazing!
2006-08-12 19:32:02 · answer #5 · answered by bburgandy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a hormonal dysfunction and can be reversed with a natural
supplement that has been written about in psychology today magazine.
I'll email you the supplement info
2006-08-16 15:13:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO. bipolar disorder is a mental illness not a mood. it has to do with the neurotransmitters in you brain not your body.
2006-08-12 19:22:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take AdvancedMaster's advice.
2006-08-15 06:16:22 · answer #8 · answered by ohio healer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No... don't think so, but there are various types of medicines that helps bipolarity.
2006-08-12 19:25:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Doubtful, but would be very interested in your findings on this subject.
2006-08-12 19:21:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋