Brain Health and Concussion Injury

MLD Therapy, MediCupping & MPS

 

Traumatic brain injuries can range from a mild concussion, brief change in mental status or consciousness to a severe extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia. Veterans are at high risk for traumatic brain injury and blast-related concussions. These types of injuries account for more than 65 percent of combat injuries, and of these vets, 60 percent have symptoms of traumatic brain injury. The recent media coverage of concussion issues and lawsuits in the NFL has brought greater awareness to the effects of concussions and Post Concussion Syndrome, PCS.  Post Concussion Syndrome is often characterized by debilitating pain, tremors, insomnia, and memory loss. PCS symptoms can last for years after a concussion, effectively decreasing an individuals overall quality of life.  We provide several holistic, non-invasive integrative therapies to help address the condition and the effects to aid the body in recovery and brain health.

Treating Post-Concussion Syndrome with Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Newer Imaging Technique Brings ‘Glymphatic System’ to Light

Recent discoveries show that the lymphatic system is at work and has beneficial effects on your brain just like the rest of your body. Just a few years ago Scientists discovered this previously unknown cleansing system in the brain now named the Glymphatic System.  This system which rapidly drains waste from the brain was discovered by neuroscientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center.  
 
This highly organized system works alongside the brain’s blood vessels to drain away waste products. The glymphatic systems job is to clear proteins and cell debris all the time.  In the case of concussion injury or post-concussion syndrome, this process is needed even more as the brain works to heal from injury.
 

 “Waste clearance is of central importance to every organ, and there have been long-standing questions about how the brain gets rid of its waste,” said Maiken Nedergaard, M.D., D.M.Sc., senior author of the paper and co-director of the University’s Center for Translational Neuromedicine. “This work shows that the brain is cleansing itself in a more organized way and on a much larger scale than has been realized previously.

First author Jeffrey Iliff, Ph.D., a research assistant professor in the Nedergaard lab, took an in-depth look at amyloid beta, the protein that accumulates in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. He found that more than half the amyloid removed from the brain of a mouse under normal conditions is removed via the glymphatic system.

“Understanding how the brain copes with waste is critical. In every organ, waste clearance is as basic an issue as how nutrients are delivered. In the brain, it’s an especially interesting subject, because in essentially all neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, protein waste accumulates and eventually suffocates and kills the neuronal network of the brain,” said Iliff.

“If the glymphatic system fails to cleanse the brain as it is meant to, either as a consequence of normal aging, or in response to brain injury, waste may begin to accumulate in the brain. This may be what is happening with amyloid deposits in Alzheimer’s disease,” said Iliff. “Perhaps increasing the activity of the glymphatic system might help prevent amyloid deposition from building up or could offer a new way to clean out buildups of the material in established Alzheimer’s disease,” he added.

Glymphatic System Discovery

MLD BENEFITS

​MLD engages with the glymphatic system to promote lymph flow and encourage the bodies natural healing process. Because concussion effects are felt within hours of injury and can linger for months, start MLD as soon as possible after the injury. Early MLD therapy can help in reducing symptoms and speeds recovery.

MLD helps to:

  • Calm the nervous system to promote relaxation and activation of the parasympathetic system
  • Reduces nausea and inflammation
  • Reduces dizziness to avoid coordination and balance issues that may arise
  • Assist in waste removal to aid in clearer cognitive function-memory, concentration

​Key Points:

  • The sooner you start manual lymphatic drainage therapy the better
  • General suggested guidelines is to receive 2-3 MLD sessions for the first week after the injury
  • Post concussion symptoms which can continue for weeks and even months later can be reduced with MLD.
  • Therapy can be arranged at our center, or in-hospital. 

Massage Cupping-MediCupping Therapy

Massage Cupping techniques sedate the nervous system, move stagnant lymph and blood, hydrate and nourish tissue, and can be used on acute and chronic conditions for all ages.  Massage cupping helps to pull and release inflammation and toxins from the body tissues so that the skin and lymphatic system can readily eliminate the waste. Massage Cupping™ and MediCupping™ therapy assist the bodies natural healing processes and can help to accelerate progress and recovery.

Massage Cupping utilizes glass or plastic cups that are moved across the skin and mimic and enhance the natural pumping movements of lymphatic drainage. This activates the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems.  The therapeutic effect on the nervous system is sedating and people often experience a deep state of relaxation. On a deeper therapeutic level, this nervous system sedation is beneficial for those dealing with anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, chronic headaches, and chronic pain.

MPS-Microcurrent Point Stimulation

What is MPS?

MPS is an integrative pain management technique. Microcurrent point stimulation, MPS, is the application of brief, concentrated DC microcurrent impulses to specific treatment points, such as the cranial sutures, to relax muscles, calm the nervous system and release endorphin’s, the body’s natural painkillers. When MPS is applied to unique acupuncture and myofascial trigger points it is called MPS (microcurrent point stimulation, MPS, or microcurrent acupuncture, MA) therapy. Stimulating all three systems-nervous, muscular and endocrine-makes MPS therapy effective for treating many chronic and acute soft tissue pain conditions as well as scar tissue. MPS integrates several potent pain relieving therapies, acupuncture and neural therapy, without the use of traditional needle therapy. MPS works using direct current (DC) on key therapy points.

Cranial Suture Release Therapy (CSRT) applies concentrated microcurrent to cranial sutures and scars, for the purpose of reducing physical stress to relieve PCS symptoms such as insomnia, pain and tremors.   Research studies show that MPS produces immediate and measurable physical stress reduction and increased blood flow after the application.

Below is the link to read the published case study of a patient with a history of ischemic stroke and post-concussion syndrome (PCS) pain:

Direct current therapy-stroke & post concussion syndrome

You can learn more about the lymphatic system, manual lymphatic drainage therapy and the other integrative methods listed above on each of the specific website tabs. Each of these therapy methods work well in conjunction with other methods of care.  Contact our office if you have questions or to schedule an initial therapy consultation and session.  

We’re passionate about your health!