5 Benefits Of Acupuncture For Brain Health (Plus, What Each Type Does)

As an integrative neurologist and certified medical acupuncturist, I use acupuncture to treat and prevent a variety of conditions in my patients. Let's dive into how acupuncture affects the brain to treat everything from headaches to brain fog.

Certain acupoints have connections to various regions of the brain, such as the cortex of the brain and the limbic system. Acupuncture can induce changes in the cells of these regions1, thereby improving connection, transmission, and ultimately function. Here are some of the top benefits of acupuncture for neurology patients:

Throughout its history, acupuncture has most commonly been used for pain management2 or anesthesia. Several studies have confirmed its benefit for chronic pain3, including backache, peripheral neuropathy, headache, cancer pain4, trigeminal neuralgia, and pain due to fibromyalgia5. The action of acupuncture in modulating pain pathways has even been demonstrated by brain-imaging studies.  

Indeed, more studies of acupuncture have been done in migraine management than any other type of headache. There are several important points on the temporal regions, the back of the head, and the neck that have been found to be effective for the acute treatment of migraine headaches6. Studies suggest acupuncture can modulate the pain pathways7 causing neural changes resulting in migraine pain. Acupuncture may also offer preventive properties8 with regular treatments.

Acupuncture can induce brain activation with improvement in certain neurotransmitter ratios9, contributing to a more relaxed state. This sense of calm can help one sleep10 better at night. While more research is needed, the use of acupuncture for insomnia11 has been promising.

Improved blood flow, in general, has long been thought to be a benefit of acupuncture, hence its use in the treatment of local musculoskeletal pain. Recent studies suggest there is also increased angiogenesis, or the development of new blood vessels, following a stroke12. These new blood vessels in the brain can improve overall cerebral blood flow as well as oxygenation of the brain tissue. Furthermore, acupuncture improves blood flow and activation13 of central pain regions. 

Acupuncture induces a state of calm and can help with attention, learning, and recall. It allows for a more stable resting-state connectivity14 of brain cell networks and improved vagal response. Animal studies have found that acupuncture improves cognitive function15, learning, and memory16; however, more human studies are needed.

There are three main types of acupuncture: somatic, scalp, and auricular. Here's how each type confers benefits to the brain.

Somatic acupuncture, or body acupuncture, consists of approximately 1,000 points on the body. Each point represents a place on a meridian that has associated central or peripheral nervous system structures. Studies have shown neuroplasticity1 and anti-apoptotic mechanisms of somatic acupuncture. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is associated with many neurological diseases. By preventing apoptosis, acupuncture preserves brain cells17.  

Scalp acupuncture, sometimes referred to as head acupuncture, has a deep history, but its current use is more contemporary in that the needles are placed in zones18, rather than points, based on the brain's anatomy and physiology. These zones correspond to regions of the brain19 that integrate functions for movement, sensory perceptions, cognition, emotionality, balance, and hearing.

Acupuncture is an important modality to be included in any treatment plan for neurological disease. It is not only effective in providing symptomatic relief, but it is noninvasive and without adverse side effects. In the hands of a knowledgeable practitioner, acupuncture can be safely and effectively integrated.