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Acupuncture Today – December, 2020, Vol. 21, Issue 12

Treating COVID-19 Trauma With TCM

Why our medicine has value far beyond treating the virus itself.

By Shellie Goldstein, DAPM, AP, LAc

As many of us transition back into private practice, I have received numerous comments from practitioners regarding the noted mental health impact of the coronavirus on today's patients. The uncertainty and nagging anxieties caused by fear of the pandemic and its second-round effects (on employment, income, social and political stability, etc.) have not gone away, and the psychological impact of the pandemic has become even more apparent.1

According to a recent poll, more than 50 percent of American adults say COVID-19 has taken a toll on their mental health and psychological well-being.2 Even Michelle Obama revealed she was experiencing "low-grade depression" caused by the effects of the confinement and the deteriorating political climate exacerbated by the pandemic.2

Neuropsychiatric disorders, including trauma-related depression and anxiety, have long been treated by acupuncture and Chinese medicine. According to TCM principles, there is no dualism between the body and mind and therefore, no hierarchy of somatic and psychological symptoms. In essence, TCM views the body, mind, emotions and spirit as one. Numerous clinical reports from various sources attest to the efficacy of acupuncture for depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.3

Relevant Organs / Meridians

man with mask - Copyright – Stock Photo / Register Mark We are trained to treat the root cause of trauma related to life's turmoil, as it is imbedded in the pattern recognition, diagnosis and treatment of qi, blood and fluids as they influence and are influenced by the elements, organs and meridians. In TCM, the heart and kidneys are commonly associated with emotional well-being. According to classic texts, when the heart is strong and healthy, the mind is calm, focused and relaxed. When out of balance, restlessness and agitation cause nervousness, anxiety and/ or panic.

The mind (shen) is also housed in the heart and is dependent upon its proper functioning. Inability to concentrate, mental fogginess or confusion is an indication of a deficiency of heart qi or blood. In concert with the heart, TCM relates anxiety to a loss of balance between the heart and kidney. When there is too much heat in the heart, it will affect the water aspect of kidney. When kidney water is unable to contain heart fire, heat rises to the mind and anxiety ensues.

Additionally, confusion, worry and lack of stability can be addressed by treating the spleen. If there are signs of desolation, sadness and grief, treating the lungs is beneficial. Anger and frustration turned inward (self-loathing) or outward (jealously, resentment) can be addressed by harmonizing the liver.

In a 2019 observational study, Moiraghi, et al., observed adult patients with earthquake-related post-traumatic stress. According to study findings:4 "Of the patients, 68.3% reported had both pain and psychological symptoms. The most frequently used meridian points were Kidney (13.17%), followed by Large Intestine (12.46%), Spleen (12.04%) and Gall Bladder (10.34%). After 3 treatments performed in daily sessions, 54.05% and 60.6% of patients reported marked improvements in psychological and pain symptoms, respectively."

Auricular Acupuncture

When treating trauma, adding ear acupuncture points can be extremely beneficial.5 The practice of auricular acupuncture is referenced in one of the oldest Chinese medical texts, Yellow Emperor's Classics of Internal Medicine. In the 1950s, French physician Paul Nogier spread the benefits of auriculotherapy throughout Europe.

auricular master points - Copyright – Stock Photo / Register Mark Surface view of auricular master points: (o) represents raised portions of the auricle, () represents deep regions of the auricle and () represents hidden regions of the auricle. From Oleson T: Auriculotherapy Manual; Chinese and Western Systems Ear Acupuncture. 3rd Edition.8 London, UK; Churchill Livingstone, 2003. Used with permission from Elsevier Copyright Clearance Center and Dr. Terry Oleson. Ear acupuncture points are divided into three categories: master, functional and body. Master points can be used to complement other auricular acupuncture points or can be used as a sole treatment. Master points have been described as the most active and useful points on the ear.6 Adding the two master points, shen men and the cerebral point, into clinical treatment facilitates both immediate and long-term results.7

Shen men: Tranquilizes the mind and to allow a harmonious connection to one's spirit. This master point alleviates stress, pain, tension, anxiety, depression, insomnia, restlessness, and excessive sensitivity. Utilized as one of the first points emphasized for the detoxification from drugs and the treatment of alcoholism and substance abuse, it is generally added into most treatment plans, including auricular acupuncture analgesia for surgery.

Master cerebral: The part of the cerebral cortex that makes decisions and initiates conscious action. Stimulation of this auricular point diminishes nervous anxiety, fear, worry, lassitude, dream-disturbed sleep, poor memory, obsessive-compulsive disorders, psychosomatic disorders, and negative, pessimistic thinking.

Practice Pearls

As emotional well-being (feeling good internally) and medical well-being (being free from illness) take center stage, TCM has the potential to play a significant role in today's health care climate. Studies show that acupuncture therapy is effective improving emotional and mental well-being and ease symptoms associated with specific mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. TCM principles integrate well with other systems, including Western medicine, and are often included among integrative medicine. TCM modalities offer an effective theoretical basis for assessing and clinically managing patients presenting with mental health issues.

Editor's Note: Ask the Expert! If you would like your questions or comments addressed this column, please send them to:  (put "Ask the Expert" in the subject line).

References

  1. Arbit J. "The Pandemic Has Heightened Young People's Dedication to Their Health." Vice, Aug. 21, 2020.
  2. Malleret T. "A Mental Health Crisis Is Surging." Global Wellness Institute, Aug. 25, 2020.
  3. Tu CH, MacDonald I, Chen YH. The effects of acupuncture on glutamatergic neurotransmission in depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease: a review of the literature. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2019;10:1.
  4. Moiraghi C, Poli P, Piscitelli A. An observational study on acupuncture for earthquake-related post-traumatic stress disorder: the experience of the Lombard Association of Medical Acupuncturists / Acupuncture in the World, in Amatrice, Central Italy. Med Acupuncture, 2019;31(2):116-122.
  5. Wang S-M, Kain ZN. Auricular acupuncture: a potential treatment for anxiety. Anesth & Analg, February 2001;92(2):548-553.
  6. King HC, Hickey AH, Connelly C. Auricular acupuncture: a brief introduction for military providers. Military Med, August 2013;178(8):867-874.
  7. Explanation on www.earseeds.com.
  8. Oleson T. Auriculotherapy Manual: Chinese and Western Systems of Ear Acupuncture, 3rd Edition. London: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Click here for more information about Shellie Goldstein, DAPM, AP, LAc.


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