A 2013 concussion research study found acupuncture effective for regenerating brain tissue and restoring motor and cognitive function after severe head trauma.
Acupuncture Superior Treatment For Concussion
Researchers at the Rehabilitation Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University (China) compared acupuncture and standard care to a control group receiving only standard medical interventions. Adding acupuncture to conventional care significantly reduced symptoms and improved recovery rates. The acupuncture group outperformed the control group in all outcomes, including enhanced mobility, more substantial cognitive function, and overall improvement in the quality of daily living.
Concussion and Severe Head Trauma
Fifty percent of severe head trauma injuries cause diffuse axonal injury (DAI). As opposed to a blow to one area of the brain, DAI occurs when the brain moves in the skull, causing damage to a wider area. This shaking of the brain is typical in sports injuries, automobile accidents, and falls, causing inflammation and damage to the brain. This investigation focused on patients with severe head traumas causing DAI.
Study Details
This concussion research study compared 60 DAI patients divided into two groups. The control group received standard medical treatment, including hydration and bleeding controls, anti-inflammatory medications, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
The acupuncture group received standard biomedical care plus acupuncture. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment principles included tonifying the kidneys, unblocking the yang, and regulating qi. The researchers noted that early intervention improved the success of acupuncture therapy.
Acupuncture Treatment For Concussion
The practitioners applied acupuncture primarily to the Chong, Ren, and Du acupuncture channels. As is custom with acupuncture therapy, they customized treatments to address the individual needs of participants. Treatments focused on relieving muscle tension, improving sleep, regulating bowel function, improving cognitive function, improving energy, and reducing anxiety and depression.
Outcomes
After finishing the course of treatment, the control group showed modest improvements based on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, LOTCA Assessment, and Barthel Index scales. In contrast, patients in the acupuncture group significantly outperformed those in the control group in all rankings and indices.
Based on the clinical outcomes, the researchers concluded that acupuncture combined with rehabilitation significantly improved DAI patients’ mobility, cognitive competence, and other functions in everyday life.
Additional Research Supports These Findings
Additional studies have demonstrated acupuncture’s ability to regulate cerebral blood flow and cell apoptosis, improve electrophysiological brain activity, improve cognitive function and protect tissues from free radical damage.
Prior research demonstrated that acupuncture reduced edema of the brain and promoted the expression of GAP43 and PCNA in the brain. Also, acupuncture reduced infarct sizes due to cerebral ischemia. This clinical research prompted the investigators to conduct the current study.
Concussion Research Study Conclusions
The findings in this concussion research study demonstrate that acupuncture, in addition to standard care, is highly beneficial for patients with DAI and that the intervention should start in the early stages of illness to achieve the best clinical outcome.
Next Steps
If you, or someone you love, had a concussion or traumatic brain injury, try acupuncture to resolve the common symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. These symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Loss of concentration and memory
- Ringing in the ears
Treatments are safe, natural, and provide long-lasting relief.
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Reference
Deng, Jingyuan, Xiaodong Sheng, Zhonghua Wang, et al. “Efficacy of acupuncture combined with comprehensive rehabilitation on cerebral diffuse axonal injury.” Chinese Journal of Gerontology 33.20 (2013): 4972-4973.
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Raleigh Acupuncture really helped me after my concussion. I was getting bad headaches every afternoon, could not concentrate, had blurred vision and terrible anxiety. The treatments were great. Relaxed me completely. Now I don’t get daily headaches, my thinking is a lot more clear, and I’m a whole lot less anxious. Thank you for your help!
