Acupuncture for Anxiety/Depression

MIONM is currently trying to partner with the Chinese American Parent Association of Howard County(CAPA), HopeWorks, and the Asian American Chamber of Commerce for a project on Acupuncture for Anxiety/Depression—A New Path for Mental Health in Howard County.

Our goal is to partner with similar community organizations to expand our outreach in providing TCM education, medical services/products such as acupuncture, herbal formulas, cupping, Tuina and nutrition consultation to those in need. We are currently seeking funding and donations for this project. We hope to launch it by Summer 2022. You can support here: Donate Now.

Our goal is to provide our medical services/products such as acupuncture, herbal formulas, TCM Tuina, cupping and nutrition consultation for the balance of mind-body wellbeing that helps healing pain, soothing anxiety/depression, and supporting hope mentally and physically.

Who qualifies: Neighbors who are in need, youth, adults, seniors and clients of our partner organizations who serve the residents who are living in Howard County.

Service Location: Monterey Institute of Natural Medicine Clinic
8885 Centre Park Dr. # 2F Columbia MD 21045

Financial Coverage:  Insurance covered plan, low income discount, or free of charge for such treatments through the program for Howard County residents in 2022. Call for an appointment to see if you are eligible. (It will depend on the financial situation additional services can be added or reduced in 2022.)

Project Proposal Description & Methodology

Acupuncture for Anxiety/Depression—A New Path for Mental Health in Howard County .Acupuncture provides drug-free treatment and effectively treats a wide range of acute and chronic ailments and treats the underlying cause of disease and illness as well as the symptoms. It provides a holistic approach to the treatment of disease and illness, linking body, mind and emotions; assists in the prevention against disease and illness as well as the maintenance of general well-being. Many disorders have been recognized by the World Health Organization as having been successfully treated by this ancient Medicine in the modern world.

Acupuncture is believed to help remove blockages and restore energy flow, balancing the mind and body.

Depression/Anxiety or major depressive/anxiety disorder is an illness that involves a constant feeling of sadness and a loss of interest or pleasure. There may also be several other symptoms:

• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Changes to appetite and weight
• Irritability and frustration, even over small matters
• Trouble concentrating, making decisions, remembering things
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness.

Common anxiety signs and symptoms include:

• Feeling nervous, restless or tense
• Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
• Having an increased heart rate
• Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Feeling weak or tired
• Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
• Having trouble sleeping
• Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
• Having difficulty controlling worry
• Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety

Methodology

Clinic will reach out to the residents of Howard County with partnered organizations; it includes the use of flyers, emails, texts, phone calls through local libraries, farmers-market, Facebook ads,and business owners to coordinate. The clients can directly come to the clinic or/and through our partnered organizations. Eligibility of each case will be carefully evaluated by providers. Once the client is enrolled by the program, the provider will provide a treatment plan for the individual. There will be an Initial Intake about 35min. that fully and accurately record the clients’ chief complaints, history of the illness, sign/symptoms, physical examination, diagnosis, with diagnosis codes, acupuncture points, electronic needle stimulation or not, during the treatment, infrared lamp, heat pad, essential oil or cupping or meridian points acupressure therapy may provide if necessary. It would take 1-hr for each treatment on average. After treatment, providers may recommend home self-care, exercise or a balanced modified diet if necessary. There will be a re-evaluation every 4-treatments. (Clinic has the formal forms for each medical note record) All medical records apply the HIPAA privacy rule.

Partnership(s)

• Chinese American Parent Association of Howard County

Their role is to reach out to the families who are in need of such service/treatment. Parents and children have been facing life challenges like ever before. They lost their normal routine, their social circle; young students lost their friends, while trying to stay healthy and safe. Almost every family struggle to minimize the mental suffering and physical pain. Suicide happens each year among the youth in Howard County. Our programs can offer a drug-free, alternative treatment option for families who are seeking help.

• HopeWorks

Their role is to reach out to their clients who need such services/treatment. During the pandemic, domestic violence increased dramatically, female as well as other vulnerable groups have suffered pain mentally and physically. We provide programs that can help heal the mind, sooth body pain and support hope.

• Asian American Chamber of Commerce

Their role is to reach out to their members or member’s business partners who are residents in Howard County in need of such service/treatment. Business owners who have been struggling the most during the Pandemic. Many small business owners suffering migraines, insomnia, respiratory issues, indigestion, overweight, body pain etc. Such program that can support the clients that it’s time for healing and get ready back to work.

The program will be performed in Monterey Institute of Natural Medicine Clinic that located 8885 Centre Park Dr, # 2F Columbia MD 21045 by licensed acupuncturist in Maryland.