Acupuncture for Mental Health

Feel calmer, more balanced, and more like yourself again.

Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system and, when combined with healthy lifestyle practices and medical care, can play an important role in supporting mental and emotional well-being.
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1 in 5 Canadians experience mental health issues

  • By age 40, about 50% of Canadians will have experienced a mental health episode at some point in their lives. 
  • The most common mental health disorders are depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders. 

If you experience mental health issues, you probably already know that dietary changes and other forms of self-care can help.

However, you are most likely also aware that mental illness creates barriers to healthy living. 

Low energy, emotional eating, and difficulty maintaining a routine are just some of the challenges reported by those suffering from anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses. 

Our goal is to help you make changes to your diet and lifestyle in a way that won’t further aggravate mental illness. 

HOW WE CAN HELP

Acupuncture and Nutrition for Mental Health Support in Toronto and the GTA

Acupuncture can: 

  • Dramatically reduce the feelings of anxiety and nervousness
  • Allow you to feel relaxed and truly zen-like
  • Improve your emotional response to stressful situations
  • Reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks
  • Reduce the feelings associated with depression
  • Keep you feeling relaxed for long stretches of time
  • Improve the quality of your sleep, allowing you to wake feeling rested and energized
  • Reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and keep you in a deep sleep

Nutrition Support including: 

  • Realistic and attainable nutrition goals
  • Tips on establishing a healthy routine – an ideal routine for good days and a bare necessities routine for the not-so good days
  • Nutrition supplements that support brain and nervous system 
  • Herbal remedies for mental health
  • A gut healing protocol to support the gut-brain connection

At Essential Balance, we support your mental and emotional well-being through a holistic approach that combines acupuncture with personalized nutrition guidance. By addressing both the body’s energy balance and nutritional needs, we help create a stronger foundation for managing stress, improving mood, and supporting overall health.

Ready to Get Started?

Click to book your acupuncture and nutrition for mental health session.. 

Have questions? Arrange for a No-cost 10-minute Discovery Call and speak directly with Eileen to learn more.

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Your Questions Answered

1I have a diagnosed mental health disorder; can nutrition and acupuncture alone help me?
Acupuncture and nutrition support are meant to supplement medical mental health treatments such as medication and therapy.
2I am taking SSRI or other medications; can I still take supplements?
If you are already taking medication, there’s a good chance that you will not be able to take any supplements, as they may contra-indicate with the medication. Don’t worry, supplements are not the focus of our practice. We can help you in other ways, such as acupuncture and dietary changes. During the intake, we will ask if you are on any medication. You should also always check with your doctor before starting any new supplements or herbal remedies.
3 I have an anxiety disorder; can acupuncture help me?
With acupuncture, we have helped many clients suffering from situational anxiety and general anxiety. Acupuncture has been shown to improve generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in many randomized controlled trials. In a meta-analysis published in 2021 on randomized controlled trials, it concluded that acupuncture had certain beneficial effects to those with GAD as compared to the control groups. A meta-analysis is a systemic review of multiple studies, and you can find it in the link below.

Effectiveness of acupuncture on anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials - PMC (nih.gov)
4I have depression, can acupuncture help me?
A 2019 meta-analysis on 28 different studies around acupuncture and depression concluded that acupuncture is a suitable adjunct to usual care and standard antidepressant medication. Many studies indicated a significant reduction in the severity of depression.

Acupuncture for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PubMed (nih.gov)
5I have ADHD; can acupuncture help me?
There have been some studies around acupuncture for ADHD for both adults and children. While some have had positive results, a 2023 meta-analysis concluded there isn’t sufficient evidence to say acupuncture can treat ADHD. However, there have been many other more positive studies around the benefit of acupuncture for the symptoms that can generally accompany ADHD such as stress, anxiety, and sleep issues.

Dietary interventions and addressing certain nutrient deficiencies have also been shown to improve ADHD symptoms. So, if you or your child have ADHD, we would recommend both acupuncture and nutrition support, as a complement to medical advice. Acupuncture treatment for babies, toddlers and young children is different from how older kids and adults are treated, ensuring comfort for all being treated. In our nutrition session, we also discuss tips on how to incorporate a healthy routine into your life.

Effectiveness of acupuncture on anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials - PMC (nih.gov)

Eating Patterns and Dietary Interventions in ADHD: A Narrative Review - PMC (nih.gov)
6What is the gut-brain connection?
Our gut and our brain are connected physically through our nervous system and are in constant communication via nerve function and hormones. There has been a lot of research to show that our mental health is closely linked to our digestive health and vice-versa.

Those with digestive disorders like Chron’s and Colitis often have symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. Those with mental health disorders also find they have digestive issues.

The main connection between our gut and our brain is through the vagus nerve, the main nerve in the core of the body. This is the main form of communication between our gut and brain. If the brain activates a “fight or flight” mode, the gut will immediately be affected. The gut and the microbes in our gut also aid in the production of our very important brain chemicals.

If we take care of our gut, we can also take care of our brain. The focus of our nutrition practice is about achieving and maintaining gut health.
7Can nutrient deficiencies really contribute to mental health disorders?
Certainly, there have been many studies around using nutrition to improve mental health. Some key nutrients include omega 3’s, vitamin D, magnesium, and B vitamins. A common factor in mental health disorders is not just nutrient deficiencies, but also general inflammation in the body, so while ensuring an intake of specific nutrients is important, so is an overall healthy diet.

The Impact of Nutrients on Mental Health and Well-Being: Insights From the Literature - PMC (nih.gov)