Can Acupuncture Help You Recover from a Stroke?

Acupuncture and stroke

Strokes can happen to anyone from birth through adulthood. There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic.

A stroke that happens when the blood supply is no longer traveling to the brain is called anischemic stroke. A stroke that happens when a blood vessel breaks or leaks in the brain is called ahemorrhagic stroke.

这两种类型的中风严重,根据the severity, can cause permanent damage. Rehabilitation is an important part of recovering from a stroke. As you may expect, rehabilitation options are vast and cover everything from physical activity to cognitive and emotional activities.

Some seeacupunctureas a complement to traditional rehabilitation methods. Keep reading for more on the potential benefits and risks of getting acupuncture after a stroke.

What are the health benefits of acupuncture?

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine and has been around for thousands of years. It involves the insertion of thin, single-use, stainless steel needles into the skin by a licensed acupuncturist.

These thin needles are placed in specific areas of the body based on nerves,fascia, muscles, andtendons.For example, applying pressure to the “third eye point” between your eyebrows may relieveheadache pain.

Although acupuncture is primarily recognized as a natural treatment for chronic pain, its potential benefits extend far beyond that. It has been used to help improve sleeping patterns and digestion. The practice may also relax the body and mind and may relieve stress and anxiety.

Can acupuncture treat strokes?

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.Researchshows 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.

It is still not clear with acupuncture has a definitive effect on recovery from stroke, but researchers are conducting further studies to understand how it might be able to help in various aspects of the stroke healing process.

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture works by increasing the circulation of blood, relaxing muscles, and stimulating the production of neurotransmitters likeendorphinsandserotonin. This results in relaxation and pain relief.

If you’ve had a stroke, it’s important to reduce inflammation and increase the range of motion in your affected limbs. At your appointment, your acupuncturist will review your condition and discuss how they believe they can help you. They may look at your tongue for further information about your health and feel your pulse.

When it’s time for the treatment, you may be asked to lie down. Depending on the area your acupuncturist is going to treat, you may be face up, face down, or on your side.

Your acupuncturist will gently insert sterile, single-use needles at strategic points.

It’s likely that you’ll feel them inserting the needles, but you probably won’t feel any pain. During this time, your acupuncturist may add heat or massage to your treatment.

One session typically lasts30 minutes. A typical course of acupuncture therapy requires up to 12 sessions. Some insurance companies cover the cost of acupuncture therapy, so be sure to speak with your insurance provider about your options.

Risks and warnings

Before seeing an acupuncturist, visit your doctor and discuss your desire to add acupuncture to your recovery plan. They can help you assess whether this is the best option for you. Most people can safely try acupuncture.

After consulting your doctor, research acupuncturists in your area. You want to ensure that they’re licensed and following all health codes.

Licensed acupuncturists in the United States have completed a minimum of3 yearsof graduate-level schooling and passed national board examinations to be able to practice acupuncture.

After your appointment, you may experience bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the insertion sites. This is a typical response to the process. If you begin experiencing any unusual symptoms, you should consult your doctor.

To find a broad-certified and licensed acupuncturist, visit theNational Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Frequently asked questions:

Here you will find some answers to additional, common questions about acupuncture and stroke:

Does acupuncture help with stroke paralysis?

There is some research-based evidence that doing acupuncture on the scalp may help a person who’s been paralyzed from a stroke recover some motor function. Anotherstudysuggests acupuncture may help people with one-sided paralysis following a stroke. However, more research is needed to assess this more definitively.

What is the fastest way to cure a stroke?

Unless the stroke is extremely mild, it isn’t possible to recover quickly. However, if you or someone you know is having symptoms of a stroke, it’s important to get medical attention immediately. If you get to the hospital within the first 3 hours , doctors can administer a clot-busting medication called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). This can improve your chances of a quicker recovery.

What type of therapy is best for stroke patients?

Depending on your needs, you may receive inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation. This may include speech, occupational, and physical therapy. Thesetreatmentsmay help regain the use of your speech, as well as the range of motion in your legs arms, legs, and hands. If your brain was damaged during your stroke, you may also need to see aneurologistfor further treatment.

Takeaway

有一些研究表明针灸may help some people who’ve had a stroke, but more research is needed to determine exactly how acupuncture can help and whether it’s a consistently viable treatment.

Work with your doctor to determine the best treatment plan for you, and check-in with them if acertain treatmentisn’t having the desired effect.

Recovery can be challenging no matter what type of stroke you’ve had or how severe it was. Be open with your family and close friends about how you’re feeling so they can support you through your recovery.

It might also be helpful to speak with atherapist,psychiatrist, or other mental health professional. They can help you work through your feelings as you navigate your recovery.