After a concussion, the blood circulation to the brain can  decrease for a few days, weeks, months and even years after the impact.  Research has shown that acupuncture can increase circulation through arteries which carry blood to the brain. Acupuncture can also improve glucose metabolism in the brain. This particular metabolism is often affected by concussions.

After a concussion, many people experience a dominance in the sympathetic system. The sympathetic nervous system is the part of the autonomic nervous system which prepares the body for action and to cope with a stressful situation. It is “the fight or flight” system. When the sympathetic system is unbalanced, it can lead to symptoms such as  insomnia, anxiety, irritability, sweating, etc. Acupuncture can help to rebalance the autonomic nervous system and return sympathetic activity to a normal level.

Many of the common symptoms after a concussion are actually caused by neck tensions or imbalances - cervicogenic problems. The neck is the most mobile and vulnerable part of the spine and is easily injured. If an impact was strong enough to cause a concussion, it is very likely that it injured the neck as well. After a concussion, we often see problems in the neck which produce symptoms like neck pain, tension, headache, migraine, dizziness, tinnitus, and even certain  visual problems. These symptoms (cervicogenic) are often mistakenly attributed to the concussion directly. 

Studies have shown that acupuncture has a direct effect on neuroplasticity (the ability of neurons to modify and  remodel) and neurogenesis (creation of new neurons from stem cells).  Therefore, acupuncture has an effect on the body’s ability to create new neural connections and even generate new nerve cells. Some acupuncture points may increase the secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF) as well.