By Dr. Kara Burkhart, N.D., L.Ac
Salud Primary Care
Acupuncture is often used to decrease physical pain but its ability to ease emotional pain is equally profound. It can be useful during incidents of immediate stress and even years following a traumatic event.
Fear, stress, anxiety, horror, night terrors and a sense of hopelessness are among the debilitating components of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as is the experience of feeling unsafe, ungrounded and despair. Categorized as an anxiety disorder, PTSD stems from an emotional disturbance that results from a traumatic event.
Studies show that acupuncture can reduce symptoms of stress allowing the body to begin the healing process. Acupuncture calms the mind and helps people regain composure. A significant benefit to acupuncture is that it does not require an individual to actually talk about the event, which may not be possible during periods of intense anxiety.
Acupuncture promotes a sense of serenity and wellbeing and is an effective option for treatment of PTSD because of its roots in multiple aspects of traditional Chinese medicine. The diverse symptoms of PTSD can be explained and addressed by the comprehensive theory in Chinese medicine, which is founded on the theory that no dualism exists between body and spirit. The body is the material basis for the mind. A standard acupuncture prescription addresses common symptoms of exposure to trauma or PTSD by corresponding to the organ/meridian energy lines.
To learn more about body and mind pairings in Chinese medicine, read this entry in my blog: http://saludintegrative.com/acupuncture-relieves-symptoms-of-ptsd-and-ushers-healing/
How Acupuncture is applied
A typical acupuncture treatment protocol to relieve post-traumatic stress includes five thin, sterilized, disposable needles applied gently to points in each ear. Acupuncturists create a safe, quiet space that invites and encourages a person to feel calm. Patients describe experiencing a positive, transformative affect that occurs quickly and can last for a week or more. Studies have shown that acupuncture twice per week for 12 weeks are of benefit to those experiencing PTSD. Twenty-four months later, the beneficial effects are reported to continue.
Dr. Kara Burkhart, ND, L.Ac is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist in Farmington.
