Trauma can be emotional or physical and carries a weight with it for those who suffer from a traumatic event and the longer post-traumatic stress that can come from it. Fortunately, we live in a time where help is available. Since acupuncture subscribes to the whole mind/body/spirit healing approach to balancing energy and achieving complete wellness, it makes sense that acupuncture could be a helpful tool to treating various forms of trauma and its impact on both the mind and body.

A paper from Boston University by Danielle Rousseau explained it well: “The way acupuncture can aid in trauma recovery is by alleviating the symptoms either directly or residually caused by the event. For example, after a car accident, an individual might suffer pain in their neck and experience anxiety whenever they are in a car again. Acupuncture can help to relieve the neck pain that both hinders quality of life and acts as a constant reminder of the accident. Chronic pain is also a common side effect of adverse childhood experiences. When an adult comes in for therapy with a long history of repeat traumas, alleviating physical pain is a great starting point to begin recovery. This allows for a greater sense of control in one’s own body and opens doors for further therapeutic practices like yoga and exercise that would not have been possible with chronic pain. Acupuncture may not be the cure-all that therapists and researchers are looking for to help their patients overcome past traumas but its longstanding history and overwhelming success rate for non-trauma related pain demands more research be conducted on the practice’s effects on trauma.”

With its whole-body approach, acupuncture is a holistic option to treat both the physical symptoms that can come from experiencing trauma as well as the processing of emotions that follows. And the research is backing this up. A 2007 randomized controlled pilot trial found that, “acupuncture may be an efficacious and acceptable non exposure treatment option for PTSD.”

A 2019 study from Italy found that acupuncture improved both the mental and physical symptoms associated with PTSD. Researchers looked at the effects of acupuncture on survivors of a major earthquake in Italy that caused 300 deaths and left 30,000 people homeless. Researchers found that prior to treatment, approximately 70% of the study subjects reported symptoms associated with PTSD. They also found that after the third acupuncture treatment both the physical symptoms like musculoskeletal pain and mental symptoms like anxiety and depression from the trauma significantly improved with 60% of the patients in the study.

If you suffer from the effects of trauma, talk to your acupuncturist. Your practitioner will complete a comprehensive health history to not only address your symptoms but help you address the underlying mental and emotional impacts as well. Acupuncture’s goal is always to restore balance to the whole body. Make an appointment today and begin your mind/body healing journey.  

While commonly connected to those who have served in the military, post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, can impact anyone who has suffered from violence or emotional trauma. The National Institute of Mental Health defines PTSD this way, “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after exposure to a potentially traumatic event that is beyond a typical stressor.” According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs approximately 12 million adults in the U.S. suffer from PTSD during a given year. 

Research has shown that acupuncture for PTSD reduces anxiety and stress levels. Acupuncture is also a great treatment option for those suffering from other health issues because of PTSD (i.e., insomnia, digestive issues, headaches, stress and anxiety, etc.). 

How it Works

Typically, acupuncture treatment for PTSD will focus on specific auricular points that focus on different areas of the brain. Some address the emotions, memories, or even amnesia. When the acupuncturist needles that point, the patient can find relief from symptoms. 

Perhaps a surprising reason acupuncture for PTSD is so popular is that it allows the person suffering from the trauma to receive help without having to go into detail about the cause of the trauma. While a full medical health history is taken, not having to relive the trauma helps patients to feel safe and perhaps a bit more relaxed.

One of the most complicated components of dealing with the treatment of PTSD is also reigning in the symptoms that result from it including depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, chronic pain, and other mental health concerns, just to name a few. The good news is that acupuncture has a proven track record of success in treating these issues. 

Each person with PTSD is different, however, depression and anxiety are often present, and both can manifest in physical and emotional symptoms. This is often an indication of an imbalance of Chi in the body. Chi is defined as the body’s energy pathways flowing through channels in the body called meridians. When Chi is balanced and flowing through the meridian network, our bodies operate optimally. When Chi isn’t balanced, depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, high blood pressure, and even digestive issues can be present. 

Many people who suffer from PTSD also have insomnia or other sleep issues. Acupuncture has also been proven to increase serotonin levels which helps to improve sleep as well as mood. It’s an effective drug-free treatment without the side effects often caused by prescription medications. A study from 2015 found “chronic fatigue patients who were given acupuncture as a supplement to conventional treatment showed greater improvement over patients who did not receive acupuncture.”

Chronic pain is often another complaint of those with PTSD and it can be debilitating for those suffering from it as it directly impacts their quality of life. People often treat chronic pain with anti-inflammatory medications (both prescription and over the counter), physical therapy, or with ice and heat, but those options don’t always provide long lasting relief. According to Harvard Medical School, “acupuncture is an option with a good track record that’s worth considering.” 

Whether you suffer from PTSD or any of the associated symptoms, acupuncture is an excellent prescription drug-free treatment option to help address a variety of health concerns. Even if you are looking to achieve better overall balance in your life, consistent acupuncture treatments just might be the solution you need. Make an appointment with your acupuncturist today. Your practitioner will do a thorough health history in order to get to the bottom of the symptoms. Call today and get your wellness journey back on track!