Did you know that acupuncture is one of the best ways to restore health to the brain, whether it is post-trauma or simply mental health? There are many aspects to acupuncture for neurological health, today, we will only discuss the basic outline.
The Cerebellum and Its Role
Your cerebellum (a structure that is located at the back of the brain under the occipital and temporal lobes) controls the smooth action and coordination of movements. If your blood supply to that part of your brain has been compromised by a fall, a car accident, or anything that shook your head wildly, you could have proprioception problems.
This means you might struggle with walking, be afflicted with drop foot, or have other similar issues. You may also find it challenging to understand where you are in space, which can affect balance. Additionally, it can also lead to emotional problems, but more on that below.
How Acupuncture Serves the Brain: "Calming the Spirit"
Acupuncture is one of the best solutions for addressing brain issues because not only does it have the ability to address the brain through neuropuncture (fine, tiny needles inserted along the scalp), but research has shown that needles inserted in other parts of the body affect the brain in very specific ways. Additionally, applying electric stimulation at specific hertz levels can accelerate brain healing.
For example, the point commonly referred to as "Bladder 10 (BL10)", is used to address gait and neurological needs, cerebellum issues, eye support, and blurry vision. Traditional Chinese Medicine theory also applies it in situations such as epilepsy, mania, and excessive talking as it "helps calm the spirit".
These are only a few of the things that this point supports, and you understand why when you realize its location on the back of the neck. It is located on the lateral side of the trapezius muscle, at the base of the neck and the hairline, and about one inch off the midline.
You know, that place you’re always massaging when your neck gets too tight!
The Combined Power of Acupuncture Points
Combine BL10 with other powerful points and you have solutions that have been shown to support blood flow to the cerebral and basilar arteries in the brain. This helps with cognition and the ability to control one’s thoughts.
This type of treatment helps with the ability to regulate emotions, therefore it can help with mood disorders, anxiousness, post-traumatic stress, low feelings about oneself, etc.
Brain trauma can cause significant damage to a person in multiple ways. In future blogs, we will discuss more in-depth about Post Concussion Syndrome and why acupuncture is at the leading edge to help people once Western medicine says you’re “fine” but you know you need more support.
Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider. This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease. That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options. If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us on hello@mydaolabs.com.
As the owner of Infinity Acupuncture in Wilmington, NC, Dr. Rivas offers over 20 years of massage therapy and over 11 years of acupuncture to her community. She has decades of experience in helping people heal and feel great. With multiple degrees and 100s of hours of Continuing Education, Dr. Rivas' knowledge extends to her team patients and clients feel amazing. More information can be found at https://www.acupunctureinwilmington.com.
