Many people feel a drop in energy with the days getting shorter and the arrival of cold weather. Fatigue, oversleeping, moodiness or depressive feelings are symptoms that occur in some people in winter.
Western medicine will often talk about seasonal affective disorder, or seasonal depression.



Acupuncture can help people with these symptoms. It is indeed a beneficial therapy in cases of fatigue, depression and mood disorders, with and without a seasonal dimension to them.
Acupuncture can also have a WARMING effect on the body, a sensation that persists after treatment and help people who cannot keep warm during the winter. In my practice, I use heat to stimulate certain acupuncture points, using the electromagnetic lamp or moxa.
A complementary approach to psychological health
While acupuncture can help boost your energy and improve your mental and emotional well-being, when the seasonal depression is more severe, it is advisable to see a therapist also. The combined effect of the two practices may be more beneficial.

References for this page:
McDonald and Janz, 2017, The Acupuncture Evidence Project, A comparative literature review, Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association. Available online.
Wang T., Xu C., Pan K, Xiong H, 2017, Acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine: a systematic review and metaanalysis, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17:163, Available online.