Head Injury & Neurological Disorders

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism (closed or penetrating head injury) or area of incidence.

Traumatic brain injury is a common occurrence in athletes or victims of violence, and can result in loss of cognitive, behavioural and physical ability. TBI requires extensive medical care and rehabilitation, and in severe instances, patients can face death or remain permanently comatose.

A stroke (cerebrovascular accident, CVA, cerebral vascular accident or brain attack) occurs when a part of the brain is damaged or destroyed because it Is deprived of blood supply.

Ischaemic stroke is most common, and is caused by a blockage of the blood vessels supplying the brain. This can be due the hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) or by a blood clot in a blood vessel.

Haemorrhagic stroke is a more severe type of stroke, occurring when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing blood to leak and damage an area of the brain. A subarachnoid haemorrhage occurs in the space surrounding the brain, and the more common intracerebral haemorrhage involves bleeding within the actual brain tissue.

Research has shown that acupuncture is useful in nerve regeneration and recovery of stem cells in the brain following cerebral damage. Acupuncture assists in angiogenesis – the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels.

All of our patients recover from stroke in a short amount of time when properly treated with this practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine which is generally safe but occasionally (as with all health treatments) may be associated with possible adverse reactions in individual cases.

References:

• Sun, Fan, J., & Han, J. (2015). Ameliorating effects of traditional Chinese medicine preparation, Chinese materia medica and active compounds on ischemia/reperfusion-induced cerebral microcirculatory disturbances and neuron damage. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B
• Wang, Zhu, X.-P., Ji, D.-X., Wang, J., Zhai, R.-H., Li, P., & Yang, X.-F. (2018). Beneficial effect of traditional Chinese medicine fumigation “Bone-healing Powder” in postoperative pain and recovery of neurological function of traumatic thoracolumbar spine fractures: A case-control study. Medicine (Baltimore)
• Cheng, Lu, C.-N., Hu, W.-L., Hsu, C. Y., Su, Y.-C., & Hung, Y.-C. (2020). Decreased stroke risk with combined traditional Chinese and western medicine in patients with ischemic heart disease: A real-world evidence. Medicine (Baltimore)
• Hung, Cheng, Y.-C., Muo, C.-H., Chiu, H. E., Liu, C.-T., & Hu, W.-L. (2016). Adjuvant Chinese Herbal Products for Preventing Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. PloS One
• Zhao, Yang, D., Shi, M., Liang, J., Yang, X., & Jin, S. (2014). Clinical efficacy and safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine combined with Western Medicine in patients with diabetic acute ischemic stroke. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Song, Xu, C., Zhang, J., & Gao, L. (2019). From clinical appearance to accurate management in acute ischemic stroke patients: With the guidance of innovative traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. Brain and Behavior

.

Autism encompasses ‘classic’ Autism disorder, as well as Asperger’s syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PPD-NOS). Autism is generally regarded as a lifelong developmental disability, characterised by difficulties in social interaction, impaired communication, restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours and sensory sensitivities.

TCM attributes autism to both congenital factors and acquired dystrophy, and it can be treated through nourishment of body, balancing of yin and yang, strengthening of physical and mental development and resetting meridian channels. Chinese medicine is a system of medicine developed in China that has a different history and approach than Western medicine. Rather than treating disease, a Chinese medicine practitioner treats patterns of disharmony (or symptom clusters) in a patient.

Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment of autistic children seeks to allow them to be able to lead a normal social life whilst retaining their extraordinary gifts, enabling them to achieve maximum realization of their potential.

References:

• Neoh Choo Aun, Neoh Karen, & Neoh Jessie. (2017). Scalp Acupuncture Treatment for Children with Autism and ADHD. International Journal of Child Development and Mental Health
• Wong, V. C., & N. (2009). Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD): Comparison of chinese and western culture (part A). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
• Remanlay. (2019). WORKING WITH AUTISM CHILDREN USING ACUPUNCTURE METHOD. Journal Of Vocational Health Studies,
• Bang, Lee, S. H., Cho, S.-H., Yu, S.-A., Kim, K., Lu, H. Y., Chang, G. T., & Min, S. Y. (2017). Herbal Medicine Treatment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017
• Wang, Peng, J.-L., Qiao, F.-Q., Cheng, W.-M., Lin, G.-W., Zhang, Y., Gao, T.-G., Sun, Y.-Y., Tang, W.-Z., & Wang, P. (2021). Clinical Randomized Controlled Study of Acupuncture Treatment on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021
• Lee, & Chun-Nei, V. (2011). Acupuncture for children with autism spectrum disorder. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies,