Acupuncture for depression
Experts in acupuncture for mental health in Auckland with over 30 years experience.
Discuss an integrated recovery plan that works with your current medication. Schedule your initial consultation today.
“Acupuncture began to work faster [than antidepressants], reducing symptoms more dramatically … than the drug did.
Among the patients who got better, a higher percentage of the acupuncture recipients showed “great improvement.”
5 reasons why to consider acupuncture for depression
- Effective: Early research shows the effects are comparable to the conventional treatment of depression.
- Fast response: you will likely get a faster response than with medication.
- Targeted: At our clinic, we customise your acupuncture treatment for your specific symptoms, whether they be psychological or physical: anxiety, lack of energy, appetite, insomnia to name a few.
- Holistic: Acupuncture can have positive effects on your general health beyond treating depression symptoms. Improved immunity, better sleep, increased concentration, and better memory are just a few of the benefits you may experience. We treat the root of the disease, not just symptoms.
- Few side effects & not addictive: Acupuncture activates your body’s own healing abilities, meaning you’re unlikely to experience side effects associated with antidepressants. You won’t experience weight gain, drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, sedation, decreased libido, impotence, or allergic reactions. Plus, research has shown that acupuncture can help treat addiction, making it an appealing alternative for those who may be struggling with addiction to medications.
Acupuncture in combination with antidepressant medications is both effective and works much sooner than antidepressants on their own.
Journal of Affective Disorders.
Recent meta-analyses have reported stronger effects, particularly when acupuncture is combined with antidepressant medication, showing greater reductions in symptom severity and fewer adverse effects than medication alone. There’s also evidence of a dose-response relationship, with better outcomes seen over a course of repeated treatments.
Clinical Evidence
Recent large-scale reviews provide some of the strongest evidence to date for the efficacy of acupuncture in treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
- Significant Improvement in Symptoms: A comprehensive 2026 network meta-analysis of 36 clinical trials involving over 3,800 participants confirmed that acupuncture produces significant antidepressant effects compared to sham or placebo treatments.
- The Power of Integrative Approach: The most robust evidence supports acupuncture as an “adjunctive” therapy. When used alongside standard antidepressant medication, patients frequently experience a much higher reduction in symptoms and improved remission rates compared to medication alone.
- Electroacupuncture plus Antidepressants – Most Effective: A 2023 analysis ranked electroacupuncture combined with antidepressants as the most effective protocol for improving depression symptoms, followed closely by manual acupuncture combined with medication.
Follow the Nature: How acupuncture helps depression
Harmonises the Nervous System:
- Brain research revealed that this natural therapy has a modulating and normalizing effect on the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network (LPNN), including the default mode network.
- LPNN is related to sleep and emotions. This explains the improved qualities of life and sleep in depressed patients following acupuncture treatment.
Heals inflammation:
- There is a theory, that in some patients, brain inflammation may be a causing factor of depression.
- Acupuncture reduces inflammation. See this article on its effect on cytokines.
What does a typical acupuncture for depression treatment plan look like?
The healthier you are the less treatment you need.
- Weekly or more frequent sessions initially
- A series of treatments rather than a single visit
- Adjusted based on response over time
Are you on antidepressants?
Many patients in our Auckland clinic find that while antidepressants are helpful, they often come with unwanted side effects or incomplete relief. Research now confirms that acupuncture not only boosts the effectiveness of these medications but also helps mitigate their side effects. Clinical evidence shows that patients receiving integrated care, combining acupuncture with their prescribed medication, experience fewer adverse effects and a faster response time than those on medication alone.
Recent systematic review and meta-analysis has shown that acupuncture combined with antidepressant medication is effective. It can accelerate the effect of drugs. Combined therapy is safe and well-tolerated.
If you’re willing to stop/reduce your medication, you can gradually wean off it only with the supervision of your GP or psychiatrist. We never advise you to stop antidepressants immediately when you start the treatment with us.
Frequently asked questions about acupuncture for depression
Can acupuncture be used alongside antidepressants?
Yes. This is what we recommend. Research suggests acupuncture combined with antidepressant medication may lead to greater improvements in depression symptoms than medication alone, and some studies have also reported fewer adverse effects. This is one reason clinical guidelines tend to recommend acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment rather than monotherapy.
How many acupuncture sessions are usually needed for depression?
It depends on the person, how long symptoms have been present, and what else is going on with sleep, stress, energy and anxiety. Research suggests outcomes improve over a course of repeated treatments, rather than after just one or two sessions. Some people notice early changes, while others need a longer course to see steady progress.
How quickly does acupuncture work for depression?
Some people notice changes in sleep, tension, mood or energy within the first few sessions. For others, progress is more gradual. Depression is rarely just one symptom, so treatment often works best when there’s a consistent plan and enough time to track meaningful change.
Is acupuncture safe for depression?
When provided by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is generally considered safe. In research on depression, acupuncture has been associated with fewer adverse effects than antidepressant medication alone. That said, acupuncture should never delay urgent mental health care, especially if someone is at risk of harm.
Can acupuncture help with anxiety and sleep as well?
In practice, these related symptoms are often part of the treatment focus, because improving sleep and calming the stress/anxiety can make recovery feel more manageable and speed it up.
Is acupuncture a replacement for seeing a GP or mental health professional?
No. Acupuncture can be a supportive part of care, but it’s not a substitute for assessment and mental health support. If symptoms are severe, worsening, or include thoughts of self-harm, urgent medical support is essential.