Treatment of Anxiety & Depression with Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

By Leah Bonsall

'Our suffering ... unifies us with all living creatures' …….. Dalai Lama

Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health disorders in Australia today. Alarming rates of depression affect approximately 20-25% of Australians at some time in their life. Underlying low levels of anxiety within our society are rising as our stressful lives create an obstacle to balance, within our lives and ourselves.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the aim is to achieve this balance and return the body to a normal state of functioning. Mind and body are seen as synonymous in TCM where disharmony in one inevitably affects the other. Mental imbalance is often due to repressed or blocked emotion. Other factors such as diet, illness, constitution and overwork may also be involved, causing impairment in the free flowing Qi (Energy) within the body. This 'stagnation' manifests as depression and anxiety with symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, lack of motivation, poor self-esteem, moodiness and chronic pain.

Acupuncture can significantly reduce these symptoms and recent studies show that intensive acupuncture over 6 weeks can reduce chronic pain related stress in the neck and shoulders for over 3 years!

Scientific research suggests that acupuncture causes a reduction in cortisol levels (raised by chronic stress) and balances serotonin and endorphins to encourage mental health.
Lifestyle factors such as regular exercise and a balanced diet are essential to a healthy mind and body and in conjunction with psychotherapy, meditation, herbal medicine, massage or acupuncture, can help us to get back into balance and find again, our innate nature of happiness and wellbeing.

Pre-Birth Acupuncture

Pre-birth acupuncture increases the chances of a natural and efficient labour.   

Pre-birth acupuncture refers to a series of treatments (generally in the final 4-6 weeks of pregnancy) which focus on preparing women for childbirth, and relieving discomforts which they may be experiencing, including: heatburn, constipation, body aches, oedema, increased anxiety and tiredness.

Pre-birth acupuncture is effective in clinical practice!

-35% reduction in the number of inductions   
-31% reduction in the epidural rate                      
-32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery 
-9% increase in normal vaginal birth     

The general aim is to promote optimal conditions during pregnancy, though some points are specifically used to prepare the cervix and pelvis for labour, induce birth, or to turn to a breech baby. Acupuncture treatments are tailored to individual requirements and will generally involve a minimal number of points, applied either side-lying or seated.

Breast Cancer Prevention—How to Keep Your Breasts Healthy

By Deborah Gibson

Breast cancer is the most common cancer that affects women in this country.  In Australia, 12 000 women are diagnosed with the disease annually.  If the cancer is limited to the breast, there is a 98% survival rate.

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

A women’s risk increases with age and certain reproductive factors, such as early onset of first period, not having children, not breastfeeding and late menopause.  Hereditary factors are important.  Having a mother or sister with breast cancer increases the likelihood of the disease.   Women who carry an abnormality in specific genes are more likely to develop breast cancer (5-10% of breast cancer patients carry these gene mutations).  Although we cannot change our genes, we can influence gene expression through diet, environment and lifestyle.  A deficiency of vitamin D is also correlated with increased breast cancer risk, with the level for prevention being a serum 25-OH vitamin D >120 nmol/L.  Other key contributing risk factors to breast cancer development are cigarette smoking, obesity, excess alcohol and chronic stress.

What is the hormonal link?

Exposure to excess amounts of the hormone oestradiol (a potent type of oestrogen) can not be overlooked as a contributor for the development of breast cancer.  Whether the oestradiol is natural or synthetic, it is problematic.  Studies have shown that breast cancer is associated with a higher than average level of circulating oestradiol in the blood stream.

The 2 & 16 oestrogen metabolite test is a useful hormone test to assess the ratio of 2-hydroxyoestrone (protective for breast health) to 16-hydroxyoestrone (cancer promoting).  A healthy ratio is approximately 2.0.  Oestrogen-dependant breast cancer is more prevalent in women who have a 2:16 oestrone ratio of less than 1.5.  The 2 & 16 oestrogen metabolite test is available through your Naturopath at BWC.
The following research-based recommendations are helpful for improving breast health and to prevent breast cancer:

1. Keep Alcohol Consumption to a Minimum

Recent studies have concluded that alcohol consumption should be kept to a bare minimum to reduce the risk of breast cancer.  Women are advised to have no more than one standard drink daily.  Any more than that will increase the chance of developing the disease.

“Although we cannot change our genes, we can influence gene expression through diet, environment and lifestyle.” 

2. Regular Exercise

Physical activity is beneficial for obvious reasons like losing excess body fat and maintaining optimal body composition.  Exercise also has a positive effect on hormonal balance by enhancing the metabolism of oestrogen and lowering blood levels of glucose, insulin and insulin-like growth factor (all promoters of breast cancer growth if levels are high).

3. Healthy Diet

Eating right for breast health includes eating a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.  Organic food is advised as it is high in cancer-fighting phytonutrients and avoids carcinogenic pesticides.  Enjoy all vegetables in the Brassica family (broccoli, bok choy, kale, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, watercress) as they contain a compound called indole-3-carbinol which promotes healthy oestrogen metabolism.  A high fibre diet is protective by reducing circulating oestrogen in the blood.  Incorporating the following phytoestrogens in the daily diet is breast protective – flaxseed/linseed meal, miso, raw pumpkin seeds, clover sprouts and mung bean sprouts.

4. Nutritional Supplements and Herbs

Numerous studies have examined the effects of nutrients on breast cancer prevention.  Coenzyme Q10, selenium, resveratrol, vitamin E, B vitamins, vitamin D, N-acetyl cysteine, calcium and magnesium have all shown protective effects.  While Indol-3-carbinol is available in the Brassica foods as mentioned above, when taken in high potency capsule form may be more effective for normalizing oestrogen metabolism by inducing the production of 2-hydroxyoestrone.  Beneficial herbs for breast health include turmeric, rosemary, green tea and bupleurum.

5. Regular Breast Checks

Self breast examinations are of vital importance.  It is recommended that women perform these monthly.  Ask your Naturopath at BWC or your GP to teach you how to examine your breasts properly.  The Cancer Council of Australia recommends women between the ages of 50-70 have mammograms conducted once every 2 years.  Other pathology testing related to breast health includes ultrasound, thermography and urine hormonal assessment.

Breast health is very multifactorial.  With studies confirming that diet and lifestyle factors play a major role in the development of breast cancer, it is imperative that women understand there is a lot they can do to optimise breast health.