Study suggests acupuncture is an effective natural treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

A recent study found that acupuncture is a promising treatment for improving the physical and psychological health of people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study, which was published in the journal Medical Acupuncture, focused on victims of the 2016 earthquakes in Central Italy.

The researchers conducted a five-week study wherein the participants were subjected to daily 20-minute acupuncture treatments for four days. Afterward, the participants were tested with verbal and numerical scales to see how well they responded to the procedure. The results were very positive and indicative of the healing potential of acupuncture. (Related: Acupuncture Proven to have an Effect beyond Placebo, Harvard Study Concludes.)

Among the participants, 68.3 percent reported that they had both psychological and pain symptoms. After three rounds of acupuncture, 60.6 percent and 54.05 percent reported improvements to their psychological and pain symptoms, respectively. While the researchers said that further research was required, they did conclude that acupuncture could be useful for helping relieve PTSD patients of their psychological and pain symptoms.

Studies on acupuncture’s effects are growing

PTSD is not only a glaring problem, it’s also life-threatening: According to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, over 19 men and four women out of 100,000 in the U.S. die by suicide. Those with PTSD, in particular, have a higher suicide risk. This makes the need for alternatives like acupuncture essential since it allows people with PTSD to come out of their ordeal unscathed.

The study in Medical Acupuncture adds to the pile of evidence that thoroughly explores the relationship between acupuncture and PTSD. A review done by researchers from South Korea found the effects of acupuncture on people with PTSD to be “encouraging.”

A recent study, which was published in Psychiatric Annals, looked at the benefits of acupuncture among men serving in the U.S. armed forces. The researchers reported that participants felt “unexpected levels of relaxation,” a reduction to their levels of anxiety, and an improvement in the quality of their sleep.

Yet another study, this time published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, also found an improvement in the quality of sleep of people with PTSD after acupuncture, with fewer people experiencing disturbances during their sleep. They concluded their study by stating that treatments like acupuncture provided “clinically significant relief” for conditions like PTSD that are difficult to overcome and affect large segments of the population of veterans.

Acupuncture is scientifically proven to work

These are just a sampling of the many positive effects acupuncture has on PTSD. When including its potential to help alleviate other conditions, the results are just as astounding. One study found that acupuncture helped relieve depression symptoms “down to the molecular level.” If that isn’t enough, another study from the University of York found that acupuncture was just as good as counseling for dealing with depression.

Whether for PTSD, depression, or even infertility, acupuncture is a treatment that should not go overlooked. For those suffering from PTSD, more mainstream or invasive methods of treatment like exposure therapy might not work, making acupuncture a proven alternative: It has no drastic side-effects, and it isn’t addictive.

While further research will be helpful, the results of the many studies already done on acupuncture are indicative that acupuncture has positive effects on both the physical and psychological well-being of people.

Read ChineseMedicine.news for more news coverage of the proven benefits of acupuncture.

Sources include:

IntegrativePracticioner.com

PTSD.VA.gov

Hindawi.com

Healio.com 1

Psychiatrist.com

Reuters.com

Healio.com 2