An estimated 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year, and there are a wide variety of treatment methods available. However, one area of therapy that has gone relatively unexplored is alternative treatment, yet some experts say that such treatments can have a significant impact on patients’ recoveries.
Acupuncture stands out as one of the best known alternative treatments. The ancient Chinese practice has become especially popular in the United States, with millions of patients undergoing treatment each year. Acupuncture has been shown to be particularly effective in the treatment of some forms of TBI. According to the Department of Defense, some military field physicians have used the therapy to treat everything from concussions to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Massage therapy is another alternative treatment that has shown to be particularly helpful for TBI patients. Specifically, it is helpful to people who have lost joint function and use of their extremities due to their injury. Experts say massage can improve blood flow, which in turn loosens up muscles and connective tissue to improve function.
Adults 65 and older are the most likely population to suffer a TBI, reports the Centers for Disease Control. In fact, many of them are caused by falls, which are often preventable.
