Brain Concussion Treatment
There is a great deal of interest in understanding the long-term effects of brain concussions sustained during a sports career. The autopsy studies of former contact and collision sport athletes have revealed multiple forms of neuropathology, both macroscopic and microscopic.
The macroscopic findings include:
- Atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes, hypothalamic floor thinned, mamillary bodies shrunk substantia nigra pallor, hippocampal sclerosis, and loss of brain mass.
- Enlarged ventricles
- A CSP with or without septal fenestrations. Former athletes in contact, collision and combat sports are more likely to suffer from depression and cognitive deficits in later life. These deficits are associated with a history of multiple concussions.
In general, subconcussive impacts are defined as the transfer of mechanical energy to the brain at a force sufficient to damage axonal or neuronal integrity without causing clinical symptoms. Symptoms of concussion, such as frequent headaches, anxiety, irritability, poor sleep, difficulty focusing attention, and memory deficits, indicate that the traumatic injuries have not completely healed.
Concussion treatment requires recovery to help heal and restore function. Physical rehabilitation is beneficial for recovery. In combination with acupuncture, the speed and degree of improvement would greatly increase.
Based on research across the world and our 15 years of clinical experience, acupuncture has a direct effect on healing damaged brain and nerve tissue. As acupuncture reduces swelling and inflammation much faster and more effectively than any diuretic or anti-inflammatory drug, it prevents the increase of pressure within the closed bony skull. Thus, the progressively increased compression prevents further damage by limiting the oxygen supply that has already been cut off. The somatic autonomic reflex may be triggered by acupuncture, causing gastric and cardiovascular effects. The effects of acupuncture can also be felt in terms of emotional state and sleep due to changes in neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. As acupuncture affects other neurotransmitters along the nociceptive pathway, it may reduce headaches.
In addition to reducing pain, and relieving anxiety and stress, acupuncture also improves circulation by enhancing lung and heart function. We strongly recommend starting acupuncture treatment as soon as possible.
