By Dr Li Dianmao, China Medical Team in Solomon Islands,
STROKE, as we’re well aware from our previous discussions in health science, remains a significant health concern demanding early symptom recognition, prompt treatment, and preventive measures. However, even with immediate treatment and stabilization, patients often experience varying degrees of limb motor impairments post-treatment, significantly affecting their quality of life and life expectancy. Hence, active participation in rehabilitation therapy becomes crucial for their recovery. If you or a loved one has experienced a stroke, here’s what you can do to aid in the recovery process.
1. Prevention of Stroke Recurrence:
Despite successful treatment, there’s always a risk of stroke recurrence. Patients must adopt lifestyle changes and adhere to medication regimens to manage underlying factors such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
2. Acupuncture Therapy:
Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy, is commonly utilized during both acute and rehabilitation phases following a stroke, particularly in China. Based on TCM principles, acupuncture is believed to revive and regulate the flow of energy within the body, thereby aiding in the recovery of patients with limb motor impairments post-stroke. Modern medical research has shed light on several ways acupuncture benefits stroke patients:
a) Promotion of Blood Circulation: Stimulation of specific acupoints enhances local blood circulation, thereby increasing blood supply to the brain and facilitating restoration of damaged nervous tissue function.
b) Symptom Relief: Acupuncture can alleviate post-stroke symptoms such as muscle spasms, pain, and depression, thereby enhancing overall quality of life.
c) Acceleration of Nerve Regeneration: Studies suggest that acupuncture may expedite nerve regeneration post-stroke, leveraging the brain’s neuroplasticity to aid in functional recovery.
d) Regulation of the Nervous System: Acupuncture therapy helps regulate nervous system activity, facilitating the release of neurotransmitters essential for stroke rehabilitation.
Before undergoing acupuncture treatment, stroke patients should consult their healthcare providers and ensure they receive treatment from qualified acupuncturists. Additionally, treatment plans should be tailored to individual patient conditions, with effects typically observed after a series of treatments.
Stay tuned for further insights into rehabilitation treatment strategies.
（Translated by HUANG BAILIN, International Office, Guizhou Medical University）
