Concussions can result from sports injuries, car accidents, or falls. Regardless of what caused them, they require a care plan that focuses on healing. Additionally, while it is true that “traditional” (or Western) medicine has its benefits, acupuncture is emerging as a complementary therapy to alleviate symptoms and promote whole-body healing.
Understanding Concussions and Their Symptoms
A concussion occurs when the brain experiences a sudden impact due to an accident, fall, intentional harm, or a sports injury. Gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma from assaults also result in concussions. Common signs that a patient has suffered a concussion include:
- Headaches or migraines that don’t go away quickly
- Nausea and vomiting, especially involving bile
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Dizziness
- Fatigue or difficulty sleeping
- Emotional disturbances, such as irritability or depression
- Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
For many patients, symptoms can persist for weeks or even months, a condition known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS). PCS symptoms appear in the first seven to ten days after the injury and persist for three months or more. Sometimes, the condition doesn’t resolve for a year or longer. Given the challenges of brain recovery, addressing both the immediate and long-term effects of a concussion is necessary.
How Acupuncture Helps Relieve Concussion Symptoms
Acupuncture is a practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. While there is no shortage of misconceptions about it, the practice involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body’s meridians so that natural healing processes can begin.
Once the needles are in place, they are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. When that happens, chemicals are released into the muscles, brain, and spinal cord. These chemicals instigate the body’s healing processes and promote health and well-being.
Here’s how acupuncture can address concussion symptoms:
- Reducing Headaches and Pain: A persistent headache is one of the most incapacitating signs of a concussion. Studies and practice have both demonstrated that the calming and relieving practice of acupuncture can release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, and modify pain signals. By focusing on particular acupoints, practitioners can improve blood flow to the head and neck, reduce inflammation, and relieve tension and headache pain, giving patients peace and respite.
- Improving Cognitive Function: Many individuals with concussions struggle with brain fog and memory issues. Neuroplasticity, or the brain’s capacity to rearrange and create new neural connections, is stimulated by acupuncture. Focus, cognitive function, and rehabilitation from brain injuries can all be improved by this, which gives patients hope for a speedy recovery and promotes optimism.
- Easing Emotional and Psychological Symptoms: Mood swings, anxiety, and depression are common after a concussion. Acupuncture promotes emotional balance by controlling neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. Following treatment, many patients say they feel more at ease and “rooted.”
- Enhancing Sleep Quality: Sleep disturbances can hinder recovery, as the brain relies on rest to repair itself. Acupuncture can regulate the nervous system and promote relaxation, helping patients achieve restorative sleep.
- Reducing Dizziness and Nausea: For those experiencing vestibular symptoms like dizziness or nausea, acupuncture can target imbalances in the inner ear and nervous system, providing relief and improving overall stability.
Promoting Whole-Body Healing
Acupuncture treats the body as an integrated system rather than merely treating its symptoms. The body frequently experiences increased stress after a concussion, which manifests as chronic inflammation and irregular energy flow. The goal of acupuncture is to restore equilibrium by:
- Stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system: This “rest-and-digest” system helps counteract the stress response, allowing the body to focus on healing.
- Improving circulation: Enhanced blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients essential for tissue repair and brain function.
- Boosting the immune system: Acupuncture supports the body’s defense mechanisms, reducing inflammation and preventing secondary complications.
Despite its potency, acupuncture cannot work in a vacuum. Instead, it works best when the patient engages in rest, as well as other forms of self-care and healing. Rest is essential not only for brain rehabilitation but also for enabling the reconstruction of damaged neuronal connections. These suggestions for a successful recovery will provide you with the information you need to take charge of your healing process:
- Limit screen time: Bright lights and screen exposure can exacerbate symptoms. Reduce screen use to minimize eye strain and headaches.
- Follow a gradual return to activities: Avoid intense physical or mental exertion until cleared by a healthcare provider. Then, increase your activities little by little rather than diving into everything at once.
- Stay hydrated and eat a nutrient-rich diet: Optimum hydration and balanced nutrition support overall healing.
- Prioritize sleep: Aim for consistent, high-quality rest to allow the brain to regenerate.
Together with acupuncture, these strategies can create a supportive environment for recovery, ensuring that the body and mind have the opportunity to heal in unison.
Why Choose Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, PC, for Acupuncture Treatment?
At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, PC, we believe in a patient-centered approach to care. Our licensed acupuncture practitioners are skilled in addressing the unique challenges of concussion recovery. By integrating acupuncture with other complementary and conventional Western medicine therapies, we will create a comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
We also prioritize patient education. We will ensure you understand every step of your healing journey and what you can do to help yourself get better more quickly. Whether you’re dealing with post-concussion syndrome or seeking to optimize your recovery, our team is here to guide you with skill and compassion.
If you or a loved one has suffered a concussion, don’t wait to seek help. The experienced team at Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, PC, is ready to create a personalized recovery plan that includes the proven benefits of acupuncture. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward relief and healing. Let us support your journey to restored health and well-being.