Acupuncture And PTSD

Seeking treatment for PTSD can be crucial in reducing the severity of symptoms and improving overall quality of life. Acupuncture for PTSD has been shown to be a safe and effective complementary therapy for decreasing patients’ symptoms and improving their daily lives. While we do not diagnose PTSD at Jackupuncture, we do use the PCL-5 to track progress for patients who may be suffering from PTSD. The PCL-5 is a self-reported questionnaire that corresponds to the symptom criteria for PTSD. Our PeakMIND patients regularly show significant improvements in their PCL-5 scores, often going from clinically significant scores before treatment to minimal or no symptoms after.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can be triggered by a deeply distressing event. Common symptoms of PTSD may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event.

While many individuals may experience temporary difficulty adjusting and coping after a traumatic event, most are able to recover with time and self-care. However, if symptoms persist, worsen, or significantly disrupt daily functioning for months or even years, it may indicate the presence of PTSD.

PTSD Symptoms

PTSD symptoms are typically categorized into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. These symptoms may vary over time or differ from person to person.

Intrusive memories can include:

• Recurrent, distressing memories of the traumatic event that are unwanted
• Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again through flashbacks
• Upsetting dreams or nightmares related to the traumatic event
• Experiencing severe emotional distress or physical reactions when reminded of the traumatic event

Avoidance can look like:

• Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
• Avoiding places, activities, or people that serve as reminders of the traumatic event

Negative changes in thinking and mood may involve:

• Having negative thoughts about oneself, others, or the world
• Feeling hopeless about the future
• Experiencing memory problems, including difficulty remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
• Struggling with maintaining close relationships
• Feeling emotionally detached from family and friends, depressed
• Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
• Having difficulty experiencing positive emotions
• Feeling emotionally numb

Changes in physical and emotional reactions (arousal symptoms) include:

• Being easily startled or frightened
• Constantly being on guard for danger
• Engaging in self-destructive behavior, such as excessive drinking or reckless driving
• Having trouble sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Experiencing irritability, angry outbursts, or aggressive behavior
• Feeling overwhelmed with guilt or shame