Acupuncture following a TBI

[Doug Wingate]

Has anyone tried acupuncture after a TBI?
Good or bad experience? 
Did you go for something specific (pain/depression/headache/fatigue/brain fog)? 
Helpful? 

(Full disclosure: I am a licensed acupuncturist - I am also the survivor of what's likely an upper motor neuron TBI from when I was young causing spastic lower limb paraparesis and it has helped me tremendously. I'm looking to hear other people's experiences)

[Doug Wingate]

I will be giving a talk tomorrow morning at Good Samaritan hospital in Portland, OR to members of the brain injury community on how Oriental medicine (acupuncture & herbal medicine) can help following such an injury, from healing the brain itself to the many symptoms that can follow. Given the present holiday weekend I will also touch on the military's advocacy of these approaches in PTSD as well as TBI... this is free and open to the public if you or anyone you know wants to join: Good Sam hospital - Wistar-Morris Room 9:30-11:00am

[SUSAN FOX]

Hi Doug,

I practice Jin Shin Jyutsu (www.jsjinc.com).  It is not acupressure and does not use the acupressure meridians but does release blocked energy.  I have been a physio-philosopher practitioner of Jin Shin Jyutsu for about 10 years.

It is the ancient Japanese art of releasing tension and is the reason I am sure I am doing so well after my accident.  Thought I don't have TBI, I have used it for my own wellness journey after a spinal column injury due to an automobile accident in 1991.

I have seen it used in every type of injury and other practitioners and students in many classes have greatly benefited from it.  It is very beneficial in helping release tension of any unwellness.

You might want to visit the website and check it out.  It might help you in your wellness if there are any lingering affects of spastic lower limb paraparesis.

Susan

[SUSAN FOX]

Hi Doug,

I agree with you.  Doing natural things to promote wellness and internal balance helps after TBI, after coma recovery and simply to improve a body's wellness.  Thanks for donating your time.

Susan

[Joel Page]

I did, I have excess tone in my left side because of injury during my crash, I also managed to fall out of bed in hostpital, my acupuncture was last year, it didn't do any bad, don't know if it did any good

[SUSAN FOX]

Good job, Joel.  By exploring complimentary ways of helping yourself, you help your body's natural life force energy flow in a life-supporting direction.

Susan

[Doug Wingate]

Thank you Susan for sharing your experience... a quick look over the website makes me wonder about similarities with the Japanese technique of Sotai massage based on releasing musculo-skeletal blockages be using the direction of least resistance in the body. I will try to look more into Jin Shin Jyutsu if nothing more than to know about it as another means of healing.

Joel: thanks for sharing. I rarely hear of acupuncture making a situation worse. With the exception of "healing reactions" that can initially cause a flair up at first which passes and afterward things seem better. It's generally a very safe procedure. I'm curious to hear how many appointments you had and how often you had them (Though often it can help to varying degrees with 1 appt. I usually recommend people try at least 5 appointments and usually twice a week at first to really see best results)
 

[SUSAN FOX]

You're welcome.  Just so you know, Jin Shin Jyutsu is the ancient art of releasing tensions.  Using it you work with the life force and wellness ensues as a result.  It takes several months to become a practitioner through structured training classes around the world.

In my opinion, Jin Shin Jyutsu is a life long study similar to homeopathy being a life long study.  I use it every day and have experienced amazing wellness as a result.

Susan

Doug Wingate said:

Thank you Susan for sharing your experience... a quick look over the website makes me wonder about similarities with the Japanese technique of Sotai massage based on releasing musculo-skeletal blockages be using the direction of least resistance in the body. I will try to look more into Jin Shin Jyutsu if nothing more than to know about it as another means of healing.

Joel: thanks for sharing. I rarely hear of acupuncture making a situation worse. With the exception of "healing reactions" that can initially cause a flair up at first which passes and afterward things seem better. It's generally a very safe procedure. I'm curious to hear how many appointments you had and how often you had them (Though often it can help to varying degrees with 1 appt. I usually recommend people try at least 5 appointments and usually twice a week at first to really see best results)