Q: I had a stroke 7 years ago. It was due to a blood clot in the brain. I am making a good recovery but I am curious to know if acupuncture would benefit me.
Tim
A: Tim the best time to get acupuncture for stroke is immediately afterwards - ideally while still in the hospital if the docs will allow it. Seven years is a long time to wait for acupuncture. But it still may help you… You won't know unless you try it.
Scalp Acupuncture
Usually scalp style acupuncture is used for stroke. Needles are "threaded" along the scalp underneath the skin. There are at least three different scalp systems (Dr. Jiao Shun Fa's original style from the 1970s Dr. Zhu's and Dr. Yamamoto's styles). Call local acupuncturists and find out if they have experience with scalp acupuncture.
How Many Treatments?
It may take 10-20 treatments to get results. In China they treat patients every day. That's not financially realistic here but 2 or 3 times per week is good. In your case - after 7 years - it may take sustained and intense stimulus to make a change.
Complementary Therapies
You can also take herbal formulas to balance out the constitutional issues that led to the stroke and help repair the damage. Acupuncture can be combined with physical rehab. It can improve both motor function (ability to move muscles) and sensory (ability to feel). You may recover function to some degree but in more serious strokes there may be no response.
Will it Work for Me?
It's hard to say whether an individual will respond and how much- partner with the acupuncturist - they will get to know you case thoroughly integrate what they're doing with your other medical providers. See the acupuncturist until you hit a plateau. Then your acupuncturist may try another system or strategy. ...
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