Concussions and brain injuries lead to a range of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, cognitive difficulties, and emotional disturbances. The recovery process can be complex with symptoms often persisting long after the initial injury. Integrating acupuncture into a brain injury recovery treatment plan can provide targeted relief and accelerate healing.
The Science Behind Acupuncture for Brain Injury Recovery:
- Reducing Neuroinflammation: A study published in The Journal of Neuroinflammation found acupuncture significantly reduced neuroinflammation and improved cognitive function in animal models of brain injury. By modulating inflammatory pathways, acupuncture helps decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, promoting healing in the brain and reducing symptoms like headaches and dizziness.
- Enhancing Neuroplasticity: Acupuncture has been shown to enhance neuroplasticity and can lead to improvements in memory, learning, and overall cognitive function. A study in Neural Regeneration Research highlighted that acupuncture promotes neuroplasticity, which is crucial for recovery after a brain injury.
- Alleviating Pain and Tension: The benefits of acupuncture for pain conditions are well-documented. Acupuncture is a valuable tool for managing post-concussion pain symptoms.
- Improving Cognitive and Emotional Health: Cognitive and emotional challenges, such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, anxiety, and depression, are frequent after a concussion. Acupuncture has been shown to improve cognitive function by enhancing cerebral blood flow and regulating neurotransmitters. A study in Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology found that acupuncture improved cognitive performance and reduced anxiety and depression in patients recovering from brain injuries.
- Restoring Sleep Patterns: Sleep disturbances are a common issue after a brain injury, yet quality sleep is vital for recovery. Acupuncture has been proven to regulate sleep patterns by influencing the body’s circadian rhythms and balancing the autonomic nervous system.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a brain injury, consider acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Betsy Gordon Acupuncture, Portland OR, treats a wide range of conditions. With a high standard of evidence-based care, she focuses each treatment on bringing relief. Give us a call at (971) 341-9546, or schedule online.
Leung, M.C.P., Yip, K.K., Ho, Y.S. et al. Mechanisms Underlying the Effect of Acupuncture on Cognitive Improvement: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 9, 492–507 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11481-014-9550-4
Liao, Ys., Zhang, Tc., Tang, Yq. et al. Electroacupuncture reduces inflammatory damage following cerebral ischemia–reperfusion by enhancing ABCA1-mediated efferocytosis in M2 microglia. Mol Brain 17, 61 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13041-024-01135-0
Jia H, Chen Y, Wang Y, Jia L, Tian Y, Jiang H. The neuroprotective effect of electro-acupuncture on cognitive recovery for patients with mild traumatic brain injury: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Feb 10;102(6):e32885. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000032885.
Nam MH, Ahn KS, Choi SH. Acupuncture: a potent therapeutic tool for inducing adult neurogenesis. Neural Regen Res. 2015 Jan;10(1):33-5. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.150643. Erratum in: Neural Regen Res. 2015 Jul;10(7):1119. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.161751.
