Acupuncture supports post-concussion healing and other brain injuries by stimulating the body's natural healing processes and by restoring balance within the nervous system. Further, it has been shown to promote neuroplasticity and to be neuroprotective.
In my practice, I have witnessed remarkable responses after the application of acupuncture as a treatment. Some conditions that respond well are many types of headaches, including migraine headaches, concussion, and the aftereffects of Long Covid such as difficulty concentrating and anxiety.
For brain injuries, migraine headaches, and other neurological disorders, acupuncture works by:
Reducing inflammation
Promoting blood flow and oxygen delivery
Modulating pain and stress pathways
Supporting the brain's ability to heal and adapt
Here’s how acupuncture helps in conditions involving brain injuries:
Acupuncture has been shown to promote neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new neural connections to compensate for damaged areas.
Acupuncture rewrites the “code” in the part of your brain that perceives pain, as your real pain is relieved.
Acupuncture reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, which are common after brain injuries.
Acupuncture increases blood circulation to the brain, helping deliver oxygen and nutrients necessary for healing.
Acupuncture evens out the autonomic nervous system (ANS) by reducing the overactive sympathetic (fight-or-flight) response and allowing the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) supremacy. Being less stressed is helpful to overall healing.
Acupuncture is beneficial when experiencing cognitive issues such as memory and difficulty concentrating. It is also useful for anxiety and mild depression.
Here’s how acupuncture helps migraine and other types of headaches:
· Acupuncture modulates pain by releasing neurotransmitters that play a role in pain perception, and it works deep within two distinct areas, the hypothalamus and brainstem, to regulate pain pathways.
· Acupuncture improves circulation, reducing vascular constriction or dilation linked to migraines.
Acupuncture follows the same pathway in the brain as serotonin, modulating serotonin levels, which plays a significant role in migraine pathophysiology.
· Acupuncture reduces inflammation by lowering levels of inflammatory markers
and decreasing the inflammation in blood vessels and surrounding tissues that contribute to migraines and other types of headaches.
Acupuncture reduces stress and muscle tension, two very common headache triggers, especially in the head, neck, and shoulders.
Research Evidence
· For brain injury, research supports its role in enhancing functional recovery, although it is often used as a complementary therapy. That is why, when we see more complex cases, we refer patients to Plasticity Brain Centers. Plasticity Brain Centers use Neuroplasticity-Based Therapy, which focuses on stimulating neuroplasticity to help the brain form new pathways and connections in the brain. Whether you’re recovering from a neurological injury, managing a condition, or simply looking to improve cognitive function, Dr. Shaun Kornfeld and his team will assess and customize your treatment, using the latest technology available.
Several studies have shown that acupuncture is effective for reducing the frequency, intensity, and duration of migraines, and it may even outperform some medications with fewer side effects.
As you would with any medical intervention, when you are considering a holistic-based approach, make sure you are working with a licensed healthcare professionals that are familiar with neurological and headache disorders.