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After a Stroke

Because a Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or there is sudden bleeding in the brain, the TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) clinic, as part of alternative health system, usually treats stroke patients 3 months after the emergency happened and who are in a relatively stable condition.

What treatments does TCM offer?

Most common treatments for stroke in TCM are Acupuncture and TCM herbs.

How does TCM help patients who have suffered a stroke?

Below is some information come from Healthline:

A 2017 study found that acupuncture may be helpful in the early stages of stroke recovery by increasing blood flow to injured areas.

A more recent 2020 study suggests that acupuncture may help stroke recovery by alleviating oxidative stress, which is an imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals in the body. This can lead to tissue and cell damage. Research shows that oxidative stress may influence the degree of damage caused by an ischemic stroke.

Another 2021 study also showed that acupuncture can help people who develop dysphagia following a stroke, which is difficulty with swallowing. -Healthline

For all TCM acupuncturists, treatments are offered based on TCM diagnosis. We focus on the root causes of symptoms from knowledge of TCM systems. All of the acupoints chosen and herbal formulas used depend on the TCM diagnosis. For example, a stroke is caused by Liver wind rising with blood stasis; the treatments principle will be depressing Liver wind; moving qi (energy) and blood.

Acupoints will focus on the Liver meridian. Of course, because a stroke is a very complicated condition, usually acupuncturists can use the acupoints of whole body.

Acupuncture is one of the important rehabilitation treatments for stroke patients in Asian countries, such as China, Korea, and Japan, among others.

What benefits stroke patients can get from acupuncture treatment?

Compared with simple physical rehabilitation, acupuncture has a better short-term and long-term clinical effect on stroke patients, improves motor dysfunction, and improves the quality of life and independence of patients with stroke.

For example, you might see:

• Improved motor function: Acupuncture can help improve motor dysfunction and the quality of life for stroke patients.
• Better balance and mobility: Acupuncture can help improve balance and mobility after a stroke.
• Neuroplasticity: Acupuncture can promote neuroplasticity, which can help modify the nervous system and the function of the damaged brain area.
• Faster recovery: Patients who receive treatment a few weeks to a few months after a stroke generally respond faster than those who receive treatment years later.

After acupuncture, patients may experience some bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the insertion sites. This is normal, but patients should contact their doctor if they experience any unusual symptoms.

Acupuncture sessions usually last about an hour, and a course of treatment typically consists of 12 treatments. Patients may start to see small changes within a few sessions.

Any questions, please feel free to contact us: 289.812.5518 or [email protected]