Rated Acupoints
Acupuncture Treatment For Stroke
Stroke is described as poor blood flow to the brain resulting in cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, caused by lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, caused by bleeding. They occur due to brain malfunctioning. Signs and symptoms of a stroke include inability to move or feel one side of the body, problems understanding or speaking, feeling the world is spinning, or problems with vision. High blood pressure is known to be the main risk factor for stroke. However, other risk factors include smoking, obesity, high blood cholesterol and diabetes.1
RESEARCH
Acupuncture treatment has shown to be effective for stroke and includes stimulating PC-6. Lifting and twisting is applied including manual stimulation for several minutes. GV-26 is stimulated as well as SP-6 until the lower limbs twitched few times. HT-1 and LU-5 are stimulated until movement of the upper limbs is detected. BL-40 is to be needled next. Manual acupuncture is applied until there is any lower limb movement. The mentioned acupuncture treatment should be applied every other day. On alternating days, Bo’s abdominal acupuncture is to be applied.2 Supplementary points are added for specific conditions on days when acupuncture is performed. Now, for the condition called pseudobulbar palsy which is the inability to control facial movements GB-20 is added. GB-20 is stimulated for dysphagia which is difficulty swallowing. Whereas, ST-6 is stimulated for deviation of the mouth. For the drooping of the eyelids known as blepharoptosis, GB-14 is added. For discomfort or a dragging sensation in the upper limbs, LI-11 should be stimulated. For spasticity of the fingers with an inability to stretch, LI-4 and SI-3 are to be stimulated.3 The above mentioned treatment is effective for patients that have suffered a stroke. by means of activating the brain and regaining consciousness; since this treatment aims to improve blood microcirculation, lipid balance and cardiac function. Therefore, acupuncture supports recovery after a stroke.4
Other acupuncture treatment protocols for stroke, both as a preventative measure and in the case of post-stroke rehabilitation are described next, signs & symptoms: sudden coma and unconsciousness with flaccid signs such as closed eyes, open mouth, mild sweat on forehead/face; the general treatment points to restore consciousness, clear channels and lower blood pressure: GV-26 to restore consciousness. LI-4 to clear wind from head. PC-6 to calm spasms/clear channel. SP-6 to calm spasms/clear channel (possibly w/moxa). LV-3: to clear LV wind. ST-36 to strenghten qi (possibly w/moxa). LI-11 to clear heat.5 Signs & symptoms: sudden coma and unconsciousness with tense signs such as clenching of the mouth or hands and course breathing. General treatment points to restore consciousness, clear channels and lower blood pressure: GV-26 to restore consciousness. LI-4 to clear wind from head. PC-6 to calm spasms/clear channel. SP-6 to calm spasms/clear channel (possibly w/moxa). LV-3 to clear LV wind. ST-36 to strenghten qi (possibly w/moxa). LI-11 to clear heat.6 Signs & Symptoms: there are many side effects from stroke, those treated with acupuncture are speech problems known as aphasia, facial paralysis, and muscular paralysis/weakness called hemiplegia, rigidity. The general treatment points to clear wind, tonify and smooth flow of qi and blood include: GV-26 to restore consciousness, GV-20 to clear wind from head, BL-7 to clear wind from head as well. LV-3 is used to clear LV wind. ST-36 to strenghten qi (possibly with moxa). Now some acupoints for facial paralysis are: ST-4, ST-6, ST-7, LI-4, LI-20, BL- 2. For speech issues called aphasia CV-23 is stimulated.7
Footnotes
- Stroke – nhlbi.nih.gov – 2016, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/stroke
- Acupuncture Helps Stroke Recovery – healthcmi.com – 2016, http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1577-acupuncture-helps-stroke-recovery
- Acupuncture Helps Stroke Recovery – healthcmi.com – 2016, http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1577-acupuncture-helps-stroke-recovery
- Acupuncture Helps Stroke Recovery – healthcmi.com – 2016, http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1577-acupuncture-helps-stroke-recovery
- Acupuncture for Stroke – theory.yinyanghouse.com – 2018, https://theory.yinyanghouse.com/treatments/acupuncture_for_stroke
- Acupuncture for Stroke – theory.yinyanghouse.com – 2018, https://theory.yinyanghouse.com/treatments/acupuncture_for_stroke
- Acupuncture for Stroke – theory.yinyanghouse.com – 2018, https://theory.yinyanghouse.com/treatments/acupuncture_for_stroke
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