Acupuncture for PTSD & trauma
Trauma lives in the body, not only in the memory. Acupuncture helps quiet a nervous system that's stuck on high alert, so the rest of your recovery has room to happen.
After trauma, the nervous system can stay stuck in high alert. That shows up as hypervigilance, insomnia, nightmares, a racing heart, being startled by small things. The body keeps responding as if the danger hasn't passed.
This is where acupuncture has been studied for PTSD. It helps calm the over-active "fight-or-flight" response, which eases the physical symptoms and gives other therapy and recovery room to work.
Symptoms we treat
If any of these sound like your experience, acupuncture is worth a conversation. This isn't a diagnosis, your first visit is.
Why acupuncture works here
Three layers at once, local, segmental, and central, chosen for what your body is asking for.
From first visit to plan
Every patient gets the same unhurried four-beat rhythm, the first visit includes a consultation.
The clinical picture
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder characterized by recurring re-experiencing of traumatic events, such as actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual assault, following exposure to such traumatic incidents. Symptoms include nightmares, feelings of numbness or detachment, indifference toward others, lack of interest in the environment, anhedonia, helplessness, and associations related to the trauma.
PTSD was classified under anxiety disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV-TR); however, it has been reclassified as a Trauma and Stressor Related Disorder in the Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Although the cause of PTSD is clear, the manifestations of the disorder can vary based on the nature of the traumatic event, the time elapsed since the event, and individual factors such as vulnerability and resilience. Additionally, if the experiences of trauma survivors are not addressed sensitively, there is a risk of re-traumatization, making diagnosis and treatment challenging.
Traditional Korean Medicine understands PTSD through a holistic lens, viewing it as a condition that arises from imbalances within the body’s systems, particularly in relation to Qi (vital energy), blood, and organ health. TKM emphasizes the role of specific organ systems, particularly the heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys. The heart is associated with emotions and mental clarity, the liver with the smooth flow of Qi and emotions, the spleen with nourishment and blood production, and the kidneys with resilience and vitality. PTSD is often seen as a result of stagnant or deficient Qi and blood. Emotional trauma can lead to stagnation of liver Qi and deficiency of heart blood, resulting in symptoms like anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and emotional numbness. TCM also considers the balance of Yin and Yang. A deficiency in Yin can lead to excess Yang, causing heat in the body, which may manifest as anxiety or agitation.
After a practitioner has understood how PTSD has come to affect you, they will employ a number of modalities in order to restore your body and mind’s balance.
- Herbal Medicine: Customized herbal formulas are used to nourish the heart, calm the mind, and promote the flow of Qi. Herbs may include:
- Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed): Nourishes heart blood and calms the spirit.
- Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed): Nourishes the heart and calms the mind.
- He Huan Pi (Mimosa Bark): Relieves emotional distress and promotes relaxation.
- Acupuncture: Specific acupuncture points are targeted to help regulate the flow of Qi, calm the mind, and alleviate symptoms. Research indicates the acupuncture may modulate and regulate the body’s overactive sympathetic nervous system (“fight-or-flight response”).
- Qi Gong and Mind-Body Techniques: Practices such as Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and meditation are emphasized to help regulate the body’s energy, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
- Lifestyle and Dietary Recommendations: TCM practitioners may suggest lifestyle changes that support emotional well-being, including stress management techniques, dietary adjustments to nourish blood and Qi, and practices that enhance overall health.
- Therapeutic Massage (Tui Na): This can be used to promote circulation, relieve tension, and enhance relaxation, addressing both physical and emotional symptoms.
In summary, TKM approaches PTSD by focusing on restoring balance within the body, nourishing the mind, and supporting the emotional and physical health of the individual. The treatments are tailored to each person’s unique constitution and symptoms, aiming to provide a comprehensive and holistic way to heal from trauma.
心 heart, mind
Read sim in Korean. Hanja are learned meaning first, then sound, so this one is 마음 심.