Acupuncture helps Stroke Rehabilitation Patients
Written by Blueheronclinic.com
Acupuncture treatment may assist blood circulation in stroke patients according to a recent study conducted by a team of local doctors in Taipei city hospital. The study, published in the March edition of Microvascular Research, documented the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on 18 Taiwanese patients who had suffered strokes.
These patients who are all in the rehabilitation stage, received acupuncture treatment using
needles inserted in acupuncture points associated with improved blood flow and were later tested for any changes. The results of the study showed that acupuncture can reduce blood flow resistance and increase microcirculatory blood flow, an effect that is considered helpful for the recovery and rehabilitation of stroke patients said Chen Chao-tsung, the director of traditional Chinese Medicine at the hospital.
"Many Chinese people have trust in the effectiveness of acupuncture, but there has been little supporting evidence, aside from patient's testimony,"he said.
"The main contribution of this research was its evaluation of acupuncture therapy in a scientific way," the doctor Chen Chao-tsug said.
The next step will be to increase research opportunities and come up with more scientific evidence to explain how acupuncture stimulation can be used to supplement Western treatments for stroke, he said.
This study was based on an acupuncture trial launched by the Department of Health to combine Traditional Chinese Medicine and western therapy. Patients in the trial can ask their doctors to refer them to Acupuncturists or Chinese medicine doctors and receive treatment at a lower cost.
LIV-3 and Li4 - A classic point combinatioin know as "The Four Gates", these acupoints would be used for strongly moving chi to expel "Wind" from the body.
P-6 and HE7 - These points are closely associated with Blood and would be used to harmonize the flow of blood in stroke patients while also having a strong calming effect on the Mind or "Shen"
GB-20 - A local point on the Gall Bladder meridian uses for expelliing wind from the head region of the body. This critical acupuncture point (used bilaterally) would be used to treat many stroke patients effectively.
The Acupuncture Points listed above are only a sample of what may be used to treat stroke patients depending on the TCM diagnosis or pattern formulated by the attending acupuncturist.
Using Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to treat potential Stroke patients or for post stroke rehabilitation should be an option for stroke sufferers and their families. Any experienced acupuncturist with knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) should be capable of treating symptoms of stroke effectively assuming the patient comes for treatment soon after the episode has occurred. Combining acupuncture treatment with western medicine is another viable option as there are new blood thinning drugs available on the market which, when used immediately after a stroke have shown to have a positive effect on stroke symptoms. Combining these new medications with acupuncture treatment could become a potent weapon in the treatment of stroke.
The Blue Heron Clinic uses Alternative and Holistic medicine to treat disease and improve health.
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