Post Concussion Syndrome, PTSD, and Anxiety Treatment with Scalp Acupuncture
Overview
A patient first sought care three years ago for post-concussion symptoms, PTSD (previously diagnosed by her psychiatrist), anxiety, and memory difficulties following two head injuries and significant emotional trauma. She described persistent fear responses, difficulty remembering everyday tasks (such as where she placed her keys or upcoming appointments), and episodes of confusion.
Her goal in seeking acupuncture was to find supportive care alongside her existing medical and psychological treatments. Over several months, she received scalp acupuncture and cranial electrostimulation, approaches commonly used within Traditional Chinese Medicine to support overall well-being, emotional regulation, and cognitive comfort. After approximately three months, she reported substantial improvements, and her psychiatrist later noted that she no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD at that time.
While her condition remained stable with occasional maintenance sessions, a new traumatic incident, a sudden dog attack, triggered a resurgence of symptoms. This case documents both her initial progress and her subsequent response to follow-up care.
Key challenges
- PTSD-related symptoms, originally diagnosed and monitored by her psychiatrist.
- Post-concussion symptoms, including cognitive fog and reduced memory function.
- Persistent anxiety and fear responses.
- Difficulties with daily functioning, including disorientation and emotional overwhelm.
- Relapse of symptoms following a new psychological trauma.
The goals of acupuncture were to provide supportive symptom management, promote calmness, and complement her existing care plan.
Treatment
The initial approach included:
- Scalp Acupuncture
Applied to regions traditionally associated with cognitive, emotional, and sensory processing. Treatment targeted frontal, temporal, and parietal scalp zones commonly used in TCM to support mental clarity and emotional balance.
- Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture
Points traditionally used to promote relaxation and modulate stress responses.
The vagus-nerve–associated auricular point was included to support emotional regulation.
- Cranial Electrostimulation
Low-level electrical stimulation was applied to selected scalp points to enhance the therapeutic effect and support the patient’s sense of calm and clarity.
- Maintenance Care
After improvements stabilized, she continued occasional supportive sessions over the following years.
After a dog attack triggered a reactivation of trauma-related symptoms, she returned for care reporting:
- Heightened anxiety
- Cognitive fog
- Memory disruptions
- Difficulty focusing
Follow-up care used a similar combination of scalp acupuncture, ear acupuncture, and cranial electrostimulation. She reported feeling calmer after the first visit. Within two days, she described a noticeable reduction in anxiety and cognitive confusion.
Outcomes
- Initial 3-month period
- Psychiatrist follow-up
- Maintenance period
- After trauma-related relapse
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