Treating Trauma with Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine practice that is growing in popularity in the west. Acupuncture is typically thought of as an alternative to western medicine for treating pain and other physical ailments. However, there is growing research showing the efficacy of acupuncture in treating psychological illnesses and trauma related disorders. Most notably, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Acupuncture is considered a Complimentary and Alternative Treatment (CAM) for PTSD. This means acupuncture is most effective when used in conjunction with traditional psychotherapy treatments.

What is Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an Indigenous and Traditional East Asian Medicine. It is a safe, and effective drug-free therapy that can help address a wide variety of ailments and problems. Acupuncture is a complementary and holistic practice used to treat stress, pain, anxiety, insomnia, migraines, digestive disorders, and more.  Initial treatment involves taking a full health history and physical exam. This is done in order to gather information to effectively diagnose and detect any imbalances of Qi contributing to the individual's problems.

Once these imbalances are detected, an acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints along meridian pathways. This safe and painless insertion of the needles can unblock the obstruction and balance Qi where it has become unbalanced. Once this is done, Qi can freely circulate throughout the body, providing adequate nourishment to cells, organs, glands, tissues and muscles. This can eliminate pain and restore balance and harmony, as well as the body’s ability to heal itself, leading to optimal health and well-being. Acupuncture is an individualized treatment, meaning frequency and length of treatment varies from person to person.

How Acupuncture Treats Trauma and PTSD

According to PTSD UK (ptsduk.com) acupuncture aids in the treatment of PTSD and trauma related disorders due to acting on areas of the brain relating to stress and worry, helping to regulate neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, etc., stimulating the production of endogenous opioids, and reversing inflammatory cytokines that are associated with the bodies stress response.  All of these benefits can lead to positive treatment outcomes, such as improved mood, decreased worry, improved sleep, reduced pain, and more, when used as a complimentary treatment in addition to traditional psychotherapy. A study by Tang, et. al, (2023) conducted a review of various studies examining the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating PTSD. This review of studies confirmed that Acupuncture treatment is associated with positive outcomes and reduction of symptoms due to the promotion of plasticity, or change, in brain pathways relating to regulating the body’s stress response. Changing neuro-pathways associated with the stress response reduces feelings of hypervigilance and being on edge, as well as reduces the feeling of re-experiencing a traumatic event. This is not only beneficial in improving an individuals daily functioning, it can also allow for a person to safely process traumatic events with a psychotherapist without experiencing high levels of activation and distress.

PTSD and trauma related disorders can be debilitating to live with, and significantly reduces quality of life. Acupuncture as a complimentary treatment provides an additional level of support and leads to positive treatment outcomes. Acupuncture is a safe, non-invasive, and drug-free treatment option, making it particularly appealing to those suffering from PTSD.

At Mind and Body Therapeutic Connections, we take a multidisciplinary team approach, encouraging collaboration between providers to promote positive treatment outcomes. For a limited time, you can save on your introductory session with acupuncturist, Tony Grimes. If you're ready to begin your healing journey with acupuncture give us a call at 919-791-5611, option 1 to learn more about this special offer and schedule your appointment today.