Complementary medical treatments for TBI’s?

A recent study out of the University of Colorado, Boulder indicates that an ancient form of “complementary” medicine MAY be effective in helping treat people with a mild traumatic brain injury, “TBI”.   The treatment known as acupressure, is where one’s fingertips are used to stimulate particular points on a person’s body.  The results indicate a link between the acupressure treatments and enhanced cognitive function in the study subjects with mild TBI.  The study subjects showed scoring on tests of working memory significantly better when compared to the TBI subjects in the placebo group.  This hypothesis suggest that acupressure could be an effective adjunctive therapy for TBI sufferers.

The acupressure treatment type used in this study is called Jin Shin.  The   practitioners used 26 points on the human body from the head to the feet.  These points are found along “meridians” in the body that are associated with specific energy pathways.  It is believed that each point is tied to the health of specific organs in the body as well as the entire body and brain.  The meridians are described as “freeways” and the pressure points as towns along the way.  For example, when there is a traffic jam in Detroit that causes problems as far away as Flint, clearing the traffic jam or “energy blocks” helps to improve the flow, therefore overall health.

The team then used a standard series of neuro-psychological tests to assess the results.  The subjects receiving active acupressure treatments, showed increased memory function.  Those receiving treatments also responded to stimuli more rapidly than those receiving placebo treatments.

The hope is that the Jin Shin treatment may be useful to military veterans returning home with TBI’s.  The treatment can be taught to family and friends of those with TBI and can even be used as a self treatment, which could allow for more independence.

A 2010 study on acupressure concluded that Jin Shin triggered a larger and faster relaxation response during active treatments and a decreased stress response following active treatments compared to placebo treatments.  A new study is being embarked upon with Jin Shin with regard to athletes to see if the enhanced relaxation response and decreased stress can reduce the likelihood of athletic injury.

Source:  Centre for Neuro Skills, Spring 2011

April 2011 TBI Tidbit provided by Dar Warner, LPN, CBIS.  Dar can be contacted at darwarner@dobsonhealthcare.com