• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
The Brain Health Magazine
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Brain Health Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Dysautonomia: Historical Perspectives from Chinese Medicine

Dysautonomia After Brain Injury

in Althernative Therapy, dysautonomia
January 23, 2020
0
Dysautonomia: Historical Perspectives from Chinese Medicine

Dr. Amy Ayla Wolf, DAOM

Chinese medicine (CM) has had a reference frame for understanding dysautonomia for thousands of years. What insights does CM provide—and can acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine offer any solutions for dysautonomia? As a CM practitioner specializing in concussions, I can say from my experience, the answer is “Yes!”   

Chinese medicine is often shrouded in mystery and confusion, with many misconceptions about how it works and what the terminology actually means. In this issue’s focus on dysautonomia, I wanted to share the CM perspective, and deconstruct it in a way that makes sense.

A famous book on Chinese medicine theory, “Huang Di Nei Jing,” was written in approximately 100 B.C.E.  In this ancient book the authors describe a syndrome called a “Ying-Wei Disharmony.” Ying Qi is a term that is translated as “Nutritive” Qi. Ying Qi is most active at night while people are asleep, and allows for the repair and regeneration of the internal organs and digestive tract. Wei Qi is a term that is translated as “Defensive” Qi. It relates to functions of the immune system, and is said to be most active during the daytime. A Ying-Wei Disharmony occurs when the Wei Qi gets stuck in an active state all the time, and the Ying Qi is prevented from circulating at night, preventing the repair and regeneration of the body.   

Ying-Wei Disharmonies reflect an imbalance in circadian rhythms, dysfunction of the immune system, and loss of integrity of the digestive system and healthy function of the internal organs.  This ancient book includes the following symptoms in its description: heart palpitations, insomnia, numbness and tingling, stomach discomfort, intestinal dysfunction, chronic pain, pressure in the head, poor memory, eye movement disorders, breathing dysfunction, alternating chills and fevers, anxiety and emotional disorders. 

What could possibly be going wrong in the body to elicit such a wide array of seemingly disconnected symptoms? What do the following have in common: insomnia, pain, fevers, digestive complaints, anxiety, tachycardia, poor breathing patterns, paresthesias, cognitive deficits, and blurry vision? The answer: the autonomic nervous system.

Today, we have a very clear understanding of the important functions of the autonomic nervous system, including the regulation of heart rate and rhythm, breathing and lung function, temperature regulation, immune regulation, sympathetic and parasympathetic balance, innervation of the internal organs including the spleen, stomach, and intestines, regulation of blood flow to the brain and body, and the top-down modulation of pain. 

Today, we have a very clear understanding of the important functions of the autonomic nervous system, including the:

  • regulation of heart rate and rhythm,
  • breathing and lung function,
  • temperature regulation,
  • immune regulation,
  • sympathetic and parasympathetic balance,
  • innervation of the internal organs including the spleen, stomach, and intestines,
  • regulation of blood flow to the brain and body, and
  • the top-down modulation of pain.

We understand that people with dysautonomia can have a long list of possible symptoms that include:

  • brain fog, headaches,
  • chronic pain,
  • lightheadedness,
  • dizziness, nausea,
  • rapid fluctuations in body temperature,
  • low-level anxiety,
  • insomnia,
  • digestive dysfunction,
  • difficulty breathing,
  • numbness and tingling,
  • immune dysfunction, and
  • exercise intolerance, to name just a few.

It becomes fascinating then that 2,000 years ago, there was a description of a syndrome that matches exactly the same presentation of dysautonomia.  Not only was there a theoretical framework for this disorder, there were also treatment strategies involving acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to address Ying-Wei Disharmonies. 

In my work with patients with concussions, I assess the autonomic nervous system, and often see signs of dysautonomia. I treat these using acupuncture and Chinese herbs. The autonomic nervous system includes cortical areas such as the insula and prefrontal cortex, as well as the thalamus, hypothalamus, and brainstem. Many of the acupuncture points I use, have a modulatory effect on these structures, as observed through neuroscience research and brain imaging. The effects of my treatments are evident in the post-treatment neurological assessments that show better regulation of heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygenation. For example, prior to treatment, a recent patient with a concussion moved from laying down to standing, and her heart rate dropped 6 points. Following acupuncture, she got up from the table, and her heart rate appropriately increased by 6 points. Over the course of the following weeks, her dizziness improved and she no longer was having episodes of poor balance, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty with speech and cognition.   

I have also used Chinese herbal formulas that “Harmonize the Ying and Wei” to successfully treat symptoms of dysautonomia, including insomnia, anxiety, chronic nausea, fluctuating temperatures and dizziness.

Chinese medicine has a long-standing theoretical framework describing dysautonomia, as well as effective treatment strategies that include acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.  Modern neuroscience researcher Florian Beissner says it best himself in his paper Effects of Acupuncture on the Autonomic Nervous System: Evidence from Brain Imaging. “The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls the majority of organ functions in the human body. It coordinates such central processes as circulation, digestion, metabolism and immune functions. The scientific investigations of acupuncture has long focused on pain, while some of its strongest effects (e.g., on nausea and vomiting, migraine, hypertension, and inflammation) are most likely mediated by the ANS.”

Dr. Amy Ayla Wolf is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine specializing in neurological disorders, concussions and traumatic brain injuries.  She is a faculty member of the Carrick Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation. She teaches courses for healthcare practitioners across the country on neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, functional neurological exam techniques, and neuro-rehabilitation utilizing acupuncture and Chinese medicine. She also offers advanced courses on concussion recovery. Her online courses and additional resources can be accessed at www.acupunctureneurology.com

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare Via EmailPinterest
Next Post

7 Unique Symptoms of Dysautonomia

SIGN UP

BLOG

Neuroplasticity and Meditation

Neuroplasticity and Meditation

By Dr. Shane Steadman, DC, DACNB, DCBCN, CNS We often think of meditation as a metaphysical or religious practice. Many use activities such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and meditation to calm down the sympathetic system (fight or flight) to help us get through the day. But what if we thought of it from a neurological […]

Read more
How to Use Turquoise for Mindfulness

How to Use Turquoise for Mindfulness

By Kristen Brown Creating a calm and focused mind can be tricky in today’s world, but when you tap into the power of turquoise you can bring back the mindfulness you seek. Whether you use it as a tool during meditation or yoga, wear it as jewelry, or simply keep loose stones around your house […]

Read more
Setbacks After Brain Injury

Setbacks After Brain Injury

By Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief Setbacks. They’re a fact of life, right? After a brain injury, setbacks can be devastating. They can feel like the end of the world, wrapping you in a feeling of isolation and despair. Throughout the course of my recovery, it was only natural that I would encounter setbacks. Most of these […]

Read more
Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps

Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps

By Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief What You Need: 1 ¼ cup (280g) tuna in olive oil, drained 1 tbsp. tomato puree 1 small red onion, finely chopped ½ Granny Smith apple 8 lettuce leaves Put the tuna and half of the oil from the can in a bowl and mix with the tomato puree. Chop the […]

Read more
Mindfulness Proving Powerful for Injured Brains

Mindfulness Proving Powerful for Injured Brains

By Deborah Zelinsky, O.D.  “For many brain injury survivors, mindfulness is an essential practice that helps regulate their mental health, mood changes, and memory.” That comment – from the Headway Company, which works with affordable mental health services – suggests why mindfulness meditation has undergone scientific scrutiny as a technique to bring relief to patients […]

Read more
Why is Mindfulness Important for Your Workout?

Why is Mindfulness Important for Your Workout?

By Amy Zellmer A workout for the sole purpose of physical exercise can only provide limited health benefits. It can help you stay fit to some level and boost your serotonin levels to some points. But, when you add mindfulness into your workout, it becomes the secret ingredient to overall well-being, including physical and mental […]

Read more
Mindfulness and TBI

Mindfulness and TBI

By James A. Heuer, PA In recent studies, mindfulness proved to help improve the cognitive state of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)  patients. It is said that mindfulness assists TBI patients with keeping their focus on the present moment. In short, mindfulness is the state of awareness resulting from consciously paying attention. Since healing from a […]

Read more
Mentally Mindful

Mentally Mindful

By Amy Zellmer “Mindfulness clears the windshield of the mind so that we can see things as they really are.” Travis Eliot What is Mindfulness? A state of nonjudgmental awareness of what’s happening in the present moment, including the awareness of one’s own thoughts, feelings, and senses. You act mindfully when you listen to a […]

Read more
Caregiver Corner: Art as a Means of Mindfulness

Caregiver Corner: Art as a Means of Mindfulness

By Ian Hebeisen Mindfulness comes in many shapes and forms. It doesn’t have to be hardcore meditation for a solid hour once a day – that’s simply not realistic for everybody. For some people it might be a simple prayer and reflection at the end of the day, for others it might be doodling in […]

Read more

INSTAGRAM

Follow Us!

  • Some of our book award goodies arrived today … the swag looks pretty good with this book 🥇 

#ConcussionDiscussions #author #publisher #writer #blogger #braininjury #tbi #concussion #pcs #anthology #FunctionalNeurology
  • I am thrilled to share that Concussion Discussions has won TWO book awards for excellence in publishing. A huge thanks to all of the contributors who helped make this book award-winning:
@steadmanshane 
@dr.perry.maynard 
@integratedbraincenters 
@dockeiser 
@portlandchiropracticneurology1 
@midcoastbrain 
@drszimmerman 
@neurowellnessdoc 
@learningrx_brain_training 
@healingresponse 
@dr.habanova 
@rezzimaxpaintuner 
@bagnell_brain_center 
@nurenbergparis 
@frameworktms 
@northwestfunctionalneuro 
@drerikreis 
@mindeyeinstitute 
@functionalhealthunlimited 
@michironeuro 
@deltasperformance
  • #kindness
  • Comment below!
  • #kindwords
  • Yoga or Pilates? Comment below!
  • #blazeyourownpath
  • Congrats to Jeffrey M Heller recently named the newest partner of @nurenbergparis
  • It’s officially March … and that means Brain Injury Awareness Month!! Join us on March 16th for a FREE virtual event with over 20 survivors and professionals sharing their experience. Register now for FREE! www.FACESOFTBI.com/event

© Copyright 2019 | The Brain Health Magazine

  • Advertise With Us
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Contact Us

DISCLAIMER: THIS MAGAZINE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE - View PDF

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.