Having pain and depressed, tried acupuncture?

Chronic pain and depression are hand in hand. Chronic pain affects up to 20% general populations. It is persistent or intermittent pain that lasts for more than 3 months despite a normal tissue healing time. It associates with poor quality of life and often causes depression. Depression can be characterized by psychological and physical symptoms, including low mood or sadness, lack of energy, lack of motivation, insomnia, low sex drive and an inability to enjoy life. Chronic pain may induce depression, and people suffering from depression may also present abnormal pain perception and modulation, which increases the risk of developing chronic pain. About 85% of people affected with chronic pain suffer from severe depression. The pathological process of both chronic pain and depression involve neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation is an innate immune response of the nervous system to injury, infection or neurodegenerative disease characterized by the activation of resident glial cells, including microglia and astrocytes; release of cytokines and chemokines; and activation and infiltration of leukocytes. These make them complex and difficult to treat. Acupuncture can reduce inflammation and is effective for chronic pain and depression.