Acupuncture Helping Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The movie "The Hurt Locker," which won the Best Picture Oscar in 2008, helped portray what our veterans are being exposed to during wartime. It's easy to see, through the lens of a camera, why we see traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurring at such high rates. TBI is defined as a non-degenerative, non-congenital insult to the brain from an external mechanical force, leading to possible concussion, skull fractures, internal hemorrhage, or other internal injuries. This may result in permanent or temporary impairment of cognitive, physical, and psychosocial functions, with an associated diminished or altered state of consciousness.

Tony Burris, L.Ac., of  Eagle Acupuncture, treats veterans for multiple conditions

Veterans are at high-risk for TBI, and blast-related concussions because of the frequent exposure to improvised explosive devices, suicide bombers, land mines, mortar rounds, and rocket-propelled grenades. These types of injuries account for upwards of 65 percent of combat injuries, and of these, 60 percent of theses vets have symptoms of TBI. Symptoms can be mild to severe. Mild symptoms include headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, lack of concentration, irritability, sleep problems, balance issues, and ringing in the ears. More severe symptoms include being easily confused, forgetful, and troubled with constant and intense headaches. Difficulty with speech and difficulty with decision making are also common symptoms that require ongoing rehabilitation. Many of these symptoms are debilitating.

Too often, these returning veterans are unemployable, and unable to attend school for re-training. This presents a tough challenge for a young veteran who has his or her whole life ahead of them upon returning. Medical treatment often consists of rehabilitation, mental health counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and group therapy. Patients can be on a long list of medications to treat the various symptoms. Common medications are antidepressant, sleep aides, migraine medications, anti-seizure medications, and narcotics.

At the George E. Whalen Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in Salt Lake City, Utah, acupuncture is being used to provide some relief to these patients. Acupuncture has become one component of the Integrative Medicine program being offered, under the umbrella of Holistic Medicine. Patients are seen on an outpatient basis, where they are being treated for a variety of health issues, including, chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. With the use of even a few basic points, patients are reporting a decrease in the intensity of their headaches, better sleep, and an ability to cope on a daily basis.

One patient ("Jim") came to the acupuncture clinic for treatment of severe headaches and sleeplessness. Jim, a 27-year-old Iraq war vet, got caught in crossfire in 2003. A bullet entered his helmet, but did not penetrate his skull. The blast resulted in a blood clot located in the parietal area of his brain. For the first year, Jim's words were slurred and his concentration and short-term memory adversely affected. He reports developing severe, debilitating headaches, which he describes "helmet-like." He's haunted by nightmares. This combination causes him to lose a lot of time at work, which results in some depression and worry over financial issues. After staff worked with Jim over several weeks, he began to respond, reporting a decrease in his headaches, better sleep, relaxation, and an ability to cope better with his chronic pain. He was also taught to use several of the points while at home, and finds this helpful in diminishing his headaches before they get too severe.

Acupuncture will not be able to provide a cure for Veterans with TBI, but it will give them some relief when used in conjunction with other medical treatments.

SOURCE: George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City, UT