Post-Concussion Recovery & Acupuncture

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that can occur following a blow or sudden movement of the head. While many people recover relatively quickly, others experience symptoms that continue for weeks, months or sometimes longer.

Persistent symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, sleep disturbance, sensitivity to light or sound, changes in mood and difficulty concentrating.

Acupuncture for Post-Concussion Recovery

Acupuncture may be used as a complementary therapy during recovery from concussion, particularly to support the management of persistent symptoms.

Rather than treating the brain injury itself, treatment is tailored towards the symptoms affecting the individual. This may include headaches, dizziness, sleep, fatigue, muscular tension, stress and nervous system regulation.

Depending on the presentation, treatment may incorporate body acupuncture, scalp acupuncture and auricular acupuncture, with the approach adapted to the person’s sensitivity and stage of recovery.

Post-Concussion Recovery Through a Chinese Medicine Lens

Chinese medicine considers both the initial trauma and the symptoms that have persisted following the injury.

Treatment may consider the nature of headaches or dizziness, sleep, cognitive fatigue, emotional changes, energy and other accompanying symptoms. Two people with persistent post-concussion symptoms may therefore receive very different treatments.

The aim is to provide individualised support during recovery while addressing the symptoms that continue to affect day-to-day function and quality of life.

Persistent or worsening neurological symptoms following a head injury require appropriate medical assessment, and acupuncture should be used alongside appropriate medical and rehabilitation care.

If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms following a concussion and would like to explore whether acupuncture may be a useful addition to your recovery, please GET IN TOUCH.