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STROKE TREATMENT
Acupuncture and stroke
Strokes can happen to anyone from birth through adulthood. Two different types of strokes exist. A stroke that happens when blood supply is no longer traveling to the brain is called an ischemic stroke. A stroke that happens when a blood vessel breaks or leaks in the brain is called a hemorrhagic stroke.
Both types of stroke are serious and, depending on the severity, can cause permanent damage. Rehabilitation is an important part of recovering from a stroke. As you may expect, rehab options are vast and cover everything from physical activity to cognitive and emotional activities.
Some see acupuncture as 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?
Benefits
- Acupuncture is widely accepted as an alternative treatment for chronic pain.
- It’s also used to relax the body and mind.
Acupuncture is a Chinese healing practice that has been around for centuries. It involves the use of thin, disinfected needles inserted into the skin by a certified acupuncturist. These needles are placed in specific areas of the body that are said to unleash different forms of all-natural healing energy. For example, applying pressure to the “third eye point” between your eyebrows is said to relieve headache 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 has also been said to relax the mind and relieve stress or anxiety.
What does the research say?
In one 2005 study, people who had experienced a stroke were given the chance to try acupuncture therapy. The goal of the therapy was to help relieve pain and discomfort due to the stroke. Researchers found that participants who received acupuncture saw improvement in wrist spasticity and range of motion in the wrist and shoulder. Although people who received acupuncture did see more improvement when compared to those who didn’t receive acupuncture, the level of improvement wasn’t considered clinically significant.
A more recent study suggests that acupuncture combined with exercise can be effective against shoulder pain resulting from stroke.
More research is necessary to determine whether acupuncture has a definitive effect on recovery from stroke.
How does acupuncture work?
At your appointment, your acupuncturist will review your condition and discuss how they believe they can help you. Typically, they’ll look at your tongue for further information about your health and take your pulse.
When it’s time for the treatment, they’ll ask you 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 in the areas they believe your body will benefit from the most.
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 therapy.
One session typically lasts 30 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 provider about your options.