According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a complex mental health condition that can develop in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a life-threatening event. This disorder can have profound effects on a person's emotional well-being, relationships, and daily functioning. It is characterized by a range of symptoms that can manifest in various ways, such as intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance of triggers associated with the traumatic event. Individuals with PTSD may also experience cognitive difficulties, mood disturbances, and disruptions in sleep patterns. These symptoms can significantly impact an individual's quality of life and may lead to difficulties in work, social interactions, and overall mental health.
Despite the prevalence of PTSD, research shows that only a small percentage of individuals seek help from a primary care physician within the first year of experiencing symptoms. It is crucial for individuals with PTSD to receive timely and appropriate support and treatment. Therapy, medication, and other interventions such as acupuncture can help individuals manage their symptoms, improve their coping strategies, and enhance their overall well-being. By raising awareness about PTSD and encouraging individuals to seek help, we can work towards reducing the stigma associated with mental health conditions and promoting a healthier and more supportive society.
Traditionally, Western medicine prescribes medication such as paroxetine (Paxil) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, because CBT requires the patient to reconstruct and re-experience the traumatic event, it can be detrimental to their mental state. Paroxetine also loses effectiveness over time and has side effects such as nausea and weight gain. For those people who medication and therapy alone are unable to help, acupuncture is an alternative that has been proven to restore and maintain physical and mental health.
Acupuncture for PTSD
Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system directly to regulate production of dopamine and serotonin, which can relieve PTSD symptoms such as anxiety and depression. It also induces full-body relaxation of the muscles and stimulates the release of melatonin to ease the mind and help achieve better rest and ease insomnia. In studies, PTSD patients receiving acupuncture along with psychiatric therapy showed greater clinical improvement than patients receiving therapy alone.
Electroacupuncture, a modern modality where a light electric current is passed into the needles for constant stimulation, has also been proven to be more effective than paroxetine (Paxil) at treating PTSD. For the greatest effect in clinical studies, acupuncturists administered 10-12 treatments over the course of 5-6 weeks.
If you or a loved one are fighting to manage the symptoms of PTSD with therapy and medication alone, acupuncture can help you find natural relief! Call us at 321-972-2940 to schedule an initial consultation today.
Sources:
HealthCMI. "Acupuncture for Military PTSD Found Effective." (December 15, 2014). Retrieved from http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1410-acupuncture-for-combat-ptsd-found-effective
Pacific College. "Acupuncture for PTSD." (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2015/01/08/acupuncture-ptsd
Wang, C. "Looking for a Natural Treatment for PTSD? Try Acupuncture." (March 2, 2017). Retrieved from https://www.amcollege.edu/blog/acupuncture-and-ptsd
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