Acupuncture and Evidence-Based Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches for Mental Health

Background: Mental health is a complex topic with physical, emotional, and social implications. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a therapeutic option for various pathologies, with relevant applications for public health.Objective: To analyse the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with a focus on acupuncture, as a complementary therapy for mental health.Methods: Review of the scientific literature on the application of Traditional Chinese Medicine, especially acupuncture, based on studies of systematic reviews with meta-analyses.Results: Acupuncture has demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of various mental health conditions, with significant improvements observed in symptoms of depression, schizophrenia, cognitive impairment and insomnia. The combination of acupuncture with conventional treatments potentiated the clinical results. The mechanisms of action of acupuncture involve the regulation of neurotransmitters, the modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the promotion of neuroplasticity. Other Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques, such as Taichi Chuan, Qigong and herbal medicine, have also shown relevant benefits.Conclusion: Traditional Chinese Medicine, with a focus on acupuncture, represents a promising complementary approach to mental health, offering personalized and effective treatments. Its integration into mental health care can enhance clinical outcomes. Ongoing research is essential to deepen knowledge and optimize the application of these techniques.