Stroke Rehabilitation with Acupuncture
Summary
Stroke affects thousands of people every year in Ireland and stroke rehabilitation using acupuncture and particularly abdominal acupuncture gives incredible results. Acupuncture treatment helps those suffering with paralysis and other complications to restore the use of their limbs regain self esteem and return to an independent life. This article details one person’s treatment for hemiplegia due to stroke with traditional Chinese acupuncture and abdominal acupuncture, it offers hope to those affected by stroke and their loved ones. This case is from Dave Shipsey of Dan-tien complementary health studio’s own experience.
Introduction
Stroke affects over 10,000 people a year in Ireland 2,000 of whom will die as a result. The after affects of Stroke can be wide and varied. Acupuncture and especially abdominal acupuncture treat all affects of stroke in a gentle and powerful way to relieve paralysis and the underlying anger and frustration that can occur as a result of stroke.
Causes of Stroke
Stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is impaired or restricted. Stroke can also occur due to reduced oxygen concentration getting to the brain is reduced, such as in the event of carbon monoxide poisoning. The resulting damage to different areas of the brain can lead to the various complications seen after a stroke.
Signs of stroke
Symptoms occur suddenly and may include muscle weakness, paralysis, lost or abnormal sensation on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, confusion, problems with vision, dizziness, and loss of balance and coordination.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms and results of a physical examination, imaging tests, and blood tests.
Treatment may include drugs to break up blood clots or to make blood less likely to clot and surgery, followed by rehabilitation.
One man’s stroke story
I first met Mr. Zhang on a cold wet day in October at the Railway Hospital in Nanjing China. I worked in the acupuncture department of this busy hospital with Dr. Han. Zhang had a cerebral infarction which caused his stroke and resulted in paralysis down his right side. He needed to be supported by two of his son’s and his wife. Zhang was very agitated and depressed and he had difficulty speaking. He had problems eating as a result of his facial paralysis his mouth was deviated on the right and he dribbled his food. Zhang tended to get constipated and bloated. He had difficulty moving his right eyelid which led to soreness and infection.
Assessing the situation for acupuncture
We assessed Zhang‘s situation and it was apparent that on a scale of 1-5 his muscle tension (resistance to force) on his right arm was 3, while his muscle tension or power to resist force was only 1 for his right leg. Zhang who was a lean, muscular Physical Education (P.E.) teacher could not lift his leg off the bed.
It was apparent that Zhang had kidney yin deficiency and liver Yang rising which led to internal wind which was stirred up by invasion of the cold external autumnal wind Zhang also had some qi deficiency. Zhang’s tongue was shaky and he had difficulty putting it out, it was red peeled and leaned to one side. His pulse was rapid deep and weak with a wiry element at the liver position.
Acupuncture Treatment
Treatment focused on moving qi and blood to the affected limbs and face. All traditional acupuncture needles were stimulated to enhance their affect points were used to nourish Liver and kidney Yin and to suppress liver yang and clear the internal wind. Abdominal acupuncture was used to treat the limbs and face affected by hemiplegia. It also worked at a deeper level to invigorate the spleen and kidneys so as to nourish muscles and invigorate qi and blood and ease the pain. At an emotional level abdominal acupuncture calmed the liver to reduce the anger and to resolve the constipation. Zhang was seen on a daily basis for ten days.
Progress and rehabilitation
His eye infection cleared up and there was less deviation of his mouth and therefore less dribbling while eating. The constipation was gone and his energy levels were much better. Zhang’s pain was receding with each treatment. After the first week his mood had improved in line with his physical improvement.
In the second week Zhang was able to eat without dribbling and was walking with the aid of his wife and a cane for support. He was positive and enthusiastic and even joked with us. The muscle tension scores improved too, His arm tension, strength was now at 4 and his leg tension score had increased from 1 to 3 which was obvious by the way he walked into the clinic every day he was getting stronger. By the end of the first 10 days treatment Zhang was very enthusiastic about his therapy and was aware to avoid hot spicy food that would further weaken his Yin energy and avoided stressful situations and family members that irritated him so that his liver yang energy was not elevated. He worked at strengthening his limbs on a daily basis and continued his exercises during his 3 days without acupuncture.
After a further 10 sessions Zhang was able to walk un-supported with the aid of a stick and his vitality had returned he was more energetic. All paralysis had been resolved and acupuncture treatment was reduced to one a week to help to restore balance to the Liver and kidneys.
Treating Zhang was a privilege for me and to witness the incredible results that were achieved after a major stroke was inspiring. I treated many more clients with similar debilitating complications as a result of stroke and the results were usually excellent. I remember this case in particular because of the strength of character and Zhang’s determination and steadfast refusal to be defeated.
Conclusion
There is so much that can be done to for those who have suffered a stroke. Abdominal acupuncture gives even better results when combined with traditional acupuncture. Ideally I would see clients within a few days or weeks after the stroke to get best results but there is a lot that can be achieved even after 6 months. If you would like to discuss anything please email me at [email protected] or see www.dan-tien.ie
Links
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19685729?ordinalpos=4&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum (Scalp and acupuncture research)
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2005/apr/04strokes.html
more research showing acupuncture beneficial
http://acupunctureresearch.org.uk/papers/BP2_Stroke.pdf
British acupuncture association paper on stroke
