Boost Your Healing Journey: Why Adding Acupuncture to Psychotherapy Can Supercharge Trauma Recovery

As a trauma specialist with many years of experience helping people heal their traumas (capital T), I have had the privilege of working with individuals who have survived incredibly difficult and horrific upbringings, even. I understand how challenging, different, and even extremely demanding it can be to embark on the journey of trauma reprocessing. This transformative process, which is deeply spiritual and highly rewarding, fundamentally changes people from the root, bulldozing old patterns of thinking and belief. At times, it can feel akin to experiencing an earthquake, shaking the very foundations of one’s understanding and opening the door to profound healing and renewal!

Along this long journey as a helper, I have also had the privilege of collaborating with Sebastian Cobenas, a Registered Acupuncturist who works in Toronto, Canada, who supports clients facing complex PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. This integrative approach has yielded profound results, particularly in helping clients maintain emotional regulation during the trauma reprocessing stages. I’ve observed that acupuncture not only facilitates easier access to memory retrieval but also provides vital support for the body’s systems and organs affected by psychological or developmental trauma. 

Both Sebastian and I are deeply informed by our Peruvian Shamanic ancestral knowledge, a cultural and genetic legacy that enriches our respective professions. This ancient wisdom connects us to a holistic view of healing, where the mind, body, and spirit are intricately linked. Through our work, we integrate this perspective in unique ways—Sebastian offers energy work and acupuncture, while I focus on trauma reprocessing and emotional healing. This shared foundation enhances the care we provide, offering a deeper, culturally rooted approach to healing.

Acupuncture treatments, especially those that include cupping, my personal favorite, provide a deeply relaxing experience. In my experience, they offer muscle release that can go deeper than traditional massage. The combination of acupuncture and cupping gently encourages muscle relaxation and relieves tension from deep within the body, leading to a profound sense of relief. In my work with Sebastian, I’ve witnessed how his spiritual approach to acupuncture, paired with Andean energy work when appropriate, adds an enriching layer of support to the therapeutic process. This holistic and energy-focused dimension of his practice beautifully complements the emotional and psychological care I offer, creating a more comprehensive healing experience for our clients.

The Benefits of Acupuncture for Releasing Trauma and Healing PTSD/CPTSD

Acupuncture, an ancient practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been gaining recognition as a holistic approach to healing trauma, particularly in individuals suffering from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and CPTSD (Complex PTSD). These conditions, often the result of unresolved emotional or physical trauma, can manifest in both psychological and physiological symptoms. Acupuncture (and cupping) offers a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that can support emotional healing and physical restoration by helping the body balance its energy and release stored tension.

1. Regulation of the Nervous System

PTSD and CPTSD can cause chronic dysregulation of the nervous system, leading to symptoms like hypervigilance, anxiety, and emotional numbness. Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body that help regulate the autonomic nervous system, promoting a state of calm and reducing the overactive “fight or flight” response. This gentle balancing of the nervous system can alleviate anxiety and promote a sense of relaxation, allowing the body to release stored trauma.

2. Release of Emotional and Physical Blockages

Trauma often gets “stuck” in the body, manifesting as physical pain, muscle tension, or emotional blockages. In TCM, this is understood as a disruption in the flow of “Qi” (vital energy) through the body’s meridians. Acupuncture helps to restore this flow, encouraging the body to release deep-seated tension and emotions. Over time, this can lead to a profound sense of relief from both emotional pain and physical symptoms, allowing the person to process trauma more effectively.

3. Reduction in Symptoms of PTSD/CPTSD

Acupuncture has been shown to help reduce many of the debilitating symptoms associated with PTSD and CPTSD, such as insomnia, nightmares, flashbacks, and emotional volatility. By calming the mind and body, acupuncture sessions can help those suffering from trauma find relief from these intrusive symptoms. This allows for improved emotional regulation and a greater sense of stability in daily life.

4. Improvement of Emotional Resilience

Healing from trauma requires not only addressing the symptoms but also building emotional resilience. Acupuncture can help enhance emotional strength by improving the flow of energy and promoting a sense of balance. With regular treatments, individuals can develop a greater capacity to cope with stress and emotional triggers, contributing to long-term healing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are embarking on trauma reprocessing therapy, such as the approach I offer, integrating acupuncture with a trauma-informed acupuncturist can greatly enhance your healing journey. The combination of psychotherapy and acupuncture addresses both the emotional and physical layers of trauma, helping you maintain emotional balance, access memories with greater ease, and support the body’s recovery from trauma-related stress. I encourage clients to consider booking an acupuncture session with a trauma informed professional to complement their therapy, offering a deeper and more comprehensive path to recovery.

Ana Montero, MSW, RSW – Trauma Specialist [EMDR/IFS/Contemplative Psychotherapy]

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Some interesting links: 

The study by Yang et al. (2021) titled “Effectiveness of acupuncture on anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials” evaluates the efficacy of acupuncture in treating anxiety disorders. The authors conducted a thorough analysis of randomized controlled trials and found that acupuncture significantly reduces anxiety symptoms compared to control groups. The findings suggest that acupuncture is an effective complementary therapy for managing anxiety disorders, providing a non-pharmacological option for individuals seeking relief from their symptoms.

You can read the full study here

The study titled “Acupuncture for Anxiety and Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” by Lee et al. (2019) reviews the efficacy of acupuncture in managing anxiety and stress. The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, concluding that acupuncture significantly reduces anxiety and stress levels compared to control treatments. The findings indicate that acupuncture may serve as an effective, non-invasive treatment option for individuals experiencing anxiety and stress-related symptoms, providing promising support for its inclusion in complementary therapy strategies.

You can access the full study here.