Acupuncture Treatment for Depression

Depressive Psychosis – Dian

Depressed mental state, lack of facial expression, quiet, slow reactions, slow-incoherent speech, lack of physical drive.



Phlegm & Qi Stagnation

depressed, slow, sighing, worry, poor appetite

T – thin greasy coat, P – wiry, slippery,

PT – regulate Qi and eliminate phlegm to open the mind cavity

Acupuncture- BL 18, LV 3, BL 20, ST 40, BL 15, HT 7

- Hallucinations – BL 1

- Hearing Things –SI 19

- Sad/crying – LU 9

Spleen Qi deficiency with accumulation of Phlegm

Depressed, dull expression, minimal talking, soft stool, more slow and dull than phlegm and Qi stag., T – pale swollen, thick white greasy coat, P – weak, soft, slippery

PT – nourish spleen to eliminate phlegm

Acupuncture – foot yangming, front mu and back shu, BL 20, ST 40, ST 36, BL 15, HT 7

- Poor appetite – PC 6

Deficient Heart and Spleen

More heart symptoms than above, insomnia, palpitations, depressed, dull expression, minimal talking, soft stools, T – white coat, pale, P – weak, thin

PT – nourish heart and spleen to calm mind

Acupuncture – hand shao yin, foot tai yin and back shu, BL 20, SP 6, ST 36, BL 15, HT 7

Yin deficiency with deficient Fire

Easily gets upset, easily shocked, talks excessively (not loud), general emaciation, red cheeks, insomnia, thirsty, T – red, dry, scanty coat, P – thin, rapid

PT – nourish yin, descend fire to calm spirit

Acupuncture – foot tai yin, hand jue yin, BL 23, KI 3, BL 15, HT 7, PC 7, SP 6





Alternative treatment methods
auricular – heart, sub cortex, occipital, frontal, shen men, kidney

Electrical – Du 20, Yin Tang, Du 26, HT 5, ST 40 – alternating current