Sport-related concussion is a major concern for young athletes because a growing number of children participate in sport-related activities. Postconcussive symptoms can lead to physical, academic, and social impairment. There is no definitive treatment for sport-related postconcussive symptoms, and most available pharmacologic therapies have potential side-effects.
Cases:
The aim of this case report is to describe the use of acupuncture in the management of sport-related postconcussive symptoms in 3 pediatric patients. All 3 patients presented with chronic postconcussive symptoms that did not improve with conventional treatments alone. A retrospective chart review was performed from 2012 to 2015 on the 3 patients who received acupuncture in a tertiary pediatric pain clinic for postconcussive symptoms. Demographics and results from the Numerical Rating Scale, a postconcussive symptoms questionnaire, and the Brief Pain Inventory were included in the review.
Results:
All 3 patients experienced satisfactory symptomatic reduction following acupuncture treatment.
Conclusions:
Acupuncture with conventional medication appeared to reduce the postconcussive symptoms in the 3 patients.
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