Post Stroke Acupuncture

Stroke is one of the main causes of death in the United States. Stroke can also be debilitating causing hemiplegia, speech impairment, and memory loss.

Stroke survivors can benefit greatly from acupuncture treatments. In fact acupuncture is the primary treatment for stroke in China with 90% of patients reporting positive results.

Post stroke acupuncture is the synthesis of traditional acupuncture and modern neurology and has been developed in China over the last 50 years. Government researchers in China have demonstrated that acupuncture accelerates stroke rehabilitation. In the United States many health care providers are recognizing that acupuncture is very effective and valuable in treating neurological conditions, especially stroke.

How Acupuncture can help

Eighty percent of acupuncture meridians or energy pathways, follow nerve pathways in the body. Acupuncture used in stroke rehabilitation is a specialized form called scalp acupuncture. Needles are inserted under the scalp in the area of the stroke damage. Strong stimulation of that area of the brain affects the areas of the body that are damaged by the stroke and in simple terms reawakens the nerves.

Post stroke acupuncture can be used in conjunction with Western Medicine. While some doctors are recognizing the benefits of acupuncture for stroke, this is a relatively new treatment even in China. Post stroke acupuncture is drug free, non invasive, natural and effective.

Acupuncture accelerates healing

Chinese research has shown that acupuncture accelerates the reactivation of the sensory and motor nerves damaged by a stroke.

Like all acupuncture, results are better if treatment is started as soon as possible. It is recommended that a stroke survivor receives acupuncture as soon as he/she is stabilized after the stroke. Recovery time varies according to the severity of the stroke and the general health of the survivor, but often it will be clear in the first treatment whether acupuncture will improve the condition. Stroke survivors with hemiplegia in China receive treatment for 6 months and sometimes longer while improvement continues. In the United States, stroke survivors receive treatment two to three times a week for 3 to 6 months. Not only does acupuncture speed recovery, it also helps to prevent a subsequent stroke by balancing the body.