The Role of Acupuncture in Supporting Cognitive Rehabilitation for TBI Patients

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) causes several debilitating symptoms that make daily life difficult. Victims of TBI can experience symptoms ranging from migraines to a loss of balance. This can make everyday tasks, like driving and walking, difficult, if not impossible.

Read on if you want to learn more about TBI and how acupuncture might be the treatment you've been seeking!

What is TBI and How Does it Impact Your Life? 

TBI stands for Traumatic Brain Injury. TBI is usually caused by a severe shock to the skull resulting from a physical strike to the crown or body. Usually, TBI develops after a large or heavy object hits the head, but other physical ailments can cause it.

For example, TBi can develop after a car accident even if you didn't receive any direct strikes to the head. If your body is badly shaken during the crash, it can cause brain damage if the brain is shaken inside the skull.

TBI can also result from something passing through the brain, like a bullet. These injuries can cause a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, including the following:

• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Difficulty speaking
• Trouble focusing
• Issues with balance
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Passing out/fainting
• Light sensitivity
• Extreme fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Emotional ups and downs

These symptoms aren't unique to TBI, but when coupled with a recent injury, they can indicate a lingering issue. Symptoms of this nature can disrupt your everyday life and result in more severe problems. Treatment is essential, and if you suspect you might have seriously injured your brain or skull, seek medical attention immediately.

What Are the Common Treatments for TBI?

Treatment for TBI varies depending on the injury's cause and severity. Severe damage to the skull and brain can be deadly and does not have a cure. Although, most injuries can be treated and possibly healed if addressed promptly.

Most mainstream treatments consist of a combination of medication and rest. Minor abrasions aren't severe and can usually be treated with rest and by avoiding strenuous activity. Painful headaches are common side effects of mild TBI and are typically treated with painkillers like ibuprofen.

However, severe TBI needs to be stabilized by medical professionals before starting any therapy. Many severe TBI cases are life-threatening or can cause prolonged issues when left untreated. After stabilizing the injury, medical professionals will provide you with rehabilitation and medication.

While these treatments are usually effective at addressing specific symptoms, they fall short of providing full healing. Often symptoms will persist for years after the injury, which is where alternative treatments can help.

Are There Any Alternative Treatments for TBI?

There are many ways to address, treat, and improve your well-being after a traumatic brain injury. Mainstream treatments are essential to healing but don't offer complete recovery. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can help your mind recover and heal after a severe injury.

Acupuncture stimulates blood flow and encourages the body to release hormones that help relieve pain. Blood stimulation helps promote the connectivity of the brain. Many people suffer slowed response times and memory loss due to brain injuries or low blood oxygen levels.

Acupuncture has been shown in several clinical trials to improve cognitive abilities. Even patients suffering from degenerative brain diseases like dementia experienced significant improvements. This is because acupuncture treats the symptoms and aids the body in repairing physical damage.

However, acupuncture also lowers stress and anxiety. While this might seem unrelated, it's an integral part of the healing process. While acupuncture alone can't heal head injuries, it can help patients regain lost mobility, recover from memory loss, and improve eyesight. Patients often experience a quicker recovery time than those who only use standard medical treatments.

How Acupuncture and TCM Can Help You Recover From TBI

Traumatic Brain Injury and concussion can be debilitating experiences. Since your brain regulates almost every aspect of your body, including mood, hormone production, and balance, damage to the brain can impact every aspect of life.

Don't fret, though! Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture can help you start the recovery journey. While not a cure for brain damage, acupuncture can help you regain control of your life and well-being!

Fast Relief Acupuncture offers services to treat all manner of symptoms for TBI, including migraines and eye sensitivity! Contact John, and he can help you regain well-being and stability!