This “new” stroke therapy is the most rewarding professional experience for many of us in the field of acupuncture. Acupuncture is most effective in treating patients within six months (the earlier the better) of their attack and the results can be quite impressive.
Within weeks I’ve had patients stop dragging their foot, improve in mobility, speak more clearly, improve their mood, and decrease their pain levels. I even have patients come in and say their co-workers and family members comment on how much better they are functioning at work and at home. It is so satisfying to see a patient improve so dramatically in such a short span of time.
Patients who come in years after their attack can still experience improvement, though usually not so dramatic. As with everything in treatment for this condition, the earlier the intervention the more successful the outcome.
Though for many acupuncture is a new treatment for stroke, both the U.N. World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health endorse acupuncture as a treatment for stroke-related disabilities.
If you are seeking acupuncture therapy for stroke rehabilitation, I strongly suggest you find one who practices the Balance Method, which is a form of acupuncture from Taiwan. Also, scalp acupuncture is very important in treating these symptoms. We are trained in three different styles of scalp acupuncture in our clinic.
One of my passions is educating the public about the effectiveness of acupuncture. There is nothing to lose in trying acupuncture and in my clinical experience so much can be gained.
