A 63-year-old man came to our clinic complaining of depression and exhaustion following a severe bout of Covid. This depression case review describes how acupuncture relieved his depression while helping him regain normal energy levels.
Covid-19 and Depression
Two of the common symptoms of Long Covid include fatigue and depression. This is especially true for people with a history of depression – the Covid virus, coupled with exhaustion, can easily trigger a depressed mood. Our new patient had a history of depression but had been fine for several years leading up to getting the virus.
He caught the Delta variant in the summer of 2021, which left him with chills, fever, persistent cough, and fatigue for five weeks. When he finally recovered, he was left feeling weak and shaky and was unable to return to his normal activities. After months of feeling tired, his mood deteriorated, leading to depression.
Depression Case Review
After a thorough intake exam, we determined his Chinese medicine diagnosis to be Heart/Spleen Qi and Blood deficiency. The virus had damaged his digestive system, which disturbed his ability to generate Qi (energy) and blood (nutrients), resulting in fatigue and depression.
We applied the following acupuncture points for his first treatment: Si shen cong, GV20, Yintang, ST36, SP6, LV3, PC6, CV12, CV14, CV17, and Ear: Shenmen. Upon returning for his second treatment the following week, he reported feeling slightly less depressed, with a bit more energy. He was encouraged by the results.
Four Treatments, Then Assess
We typically ask patients to try four consecutive acupuncture treatments, spaced one week apart, and then assess their progress. We did this for the patient profiled in this depression case review. If we don’t make any headway, we help the patient find another medical modality to try. Most of the time, patients start improving within this window. Based on their progress, we can give them a more accurate prognosis.
For example, if someone is sixty percent better after four treatments, we know they will likely need just three or four additional treatments to feel better. Many patients are fully recovered after their four sessions and don’t need additional treatment. Alternatively, if a patient experiences twenty percent improvement after four sessions, we know they are responding to the acupuncture, but their healing rate is slower. So they will most likely need six or more additional treatments to heal.
Acupuncture Resolves Fatigue and Depression
In this depression case review, our patient was forty percent better after his initial four treatments. We explained he was making great progress and he would probably need another four treatments to complete his therapy. And that is exactly what happened. He continued to improve with each treatment, feeling his old self again following the eighth session.
We modified his acupuncture point prescription along the way to best support his progress. The key to our success was addressing his root imbalances – Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood deficiency, caused by the Covid viral infection. As these deficiencies eased, his energy and sense of well-being returned. The diagnosis and treatment were straightforward – the key was making the correct diagnosis and selecting the proper treatment from the start.
Next Steps
If you, or someone you love, are struggling with depression, try acupuncture. Treatments are safe, natural, and provide long-lasting relief. This depression case review is typical of our success in treating depression.
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What our Clients are Saying
I was feeling depressed and stressed because I didn’t like my job and didn’t know what to do with my life. I started taking Lexipro but it really affected my libido so I stopped taking it. I tried acupuncture because my husband said it helped him when he was depressed years earlier (before he met me!) I went to Raleigh Acupuncture and started treatments. They were really knowledgeable about Chinese medicine and explained how the body gets stuck in depression, and how the acupuncture gets the body unstuck. They really listened to me and helped me figure stuff out. I started feeling less depressed. Then I actually started getting more clear about what I wanted to do with my life career-wise. I decided to go back to school and now I’m almost done with my degree. I haven’t felt depressed at all since I was treated and I’m really excited about my life. I’m very grateful to them for being such great healers and such a great support to me when I really needed it.
I had very severe depression after my son was born. The doctors put me on medication, which helped, but I still had no motivation and felt very sad. I tried acupuncture and it really improved my mood. I would say that within four weeks of starting treatment I was no longer depressed. My motivation returned, I was able to get out of bed in the morning ready to go, and I started enjoying my son for the first time. I think the combination of medications and acupuncture worked great for me. I appreciate the caring and skill at Raleigh Acupuncture and recommend them highly for treating depression.
