How TCM Treats Post-Stroke After-Effects?

Written By: Melody, TCM Practitioner.

The golden period after a stroke generally refers to the first 3 months following the event. This time is the optimal window for rehabilitation therapy. The earlier treatment begins, the better the recovery outcome.

Common TCM Methods for Treating Post-Stroke After-Effects:

🪴 Acupuncture (针灸)

By stimulating specific acupoints, acupuncture adjusts Yin-Yang balance, unblocks meridians, and aims to awaken the mind and open orifices, invigorate blood, resolve stasis, and relieve pain. Commonly used acupoints include Baihui, Taiyang, Fengchi, Quchi, and Zusanli.

• Characteristics: 

  Strong stimulation, quick effects, suitable for acute stroke patients. Can help awaken the mind, open orifices, and invigorate blood to resolve stasis.

• Indications:

  Hemiplegia, aphasia, dysphagia (swallowing difficulties), etc.

  
  

🪴 Electroacupuncture (电疗)

This involves stimulating acupoints with low-frequency electrical currents to achieve therapeutic effects.

• Characteristics: 

  Adjustable stimulation intensity, suitable for various patients. Often combined with traditional acupuncture to enhance its effects.

• Indications: 

  Muscle atrophy, pain, sensory abnormalities, etc.

🪴 Moxibustion (艾灸)

Using heat generated from burning mugwort, moxibustion warms and unblocks meridians, expels cold-dampness, and promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood.

• Characteristics: 

  Warms Yang and replenishes Qi; has a strong warming effect. Suitable for patients with Yang deficiency or cold-damp body constitutions.

• Indications: 

  Limb numbness, pain, aversion to cold, cold limbs, etc.

🪴 Warm Lamp Moxibustion (温灯灸)

Utilizes infrared light to irradiate acupoints, producing a warming effect for therapeutic purposes.

• Characteristics: 

  Gentle and comfortable, pain-free. Suitable for patients who are afraid of needles.

• Indications: 

  Pain, numbness, muscle stiffness, etc.

🪴 Cupping (拔罐)

Through negative pressure, cupping unblocks meridians, invigorates blood, resolves stasis, and reduces swelling and pain.

• Characteristics: 

  Helps invigorate blood, resolve stasis, relax muscles, and unblock collaterals.

• Indications: 

  Pain, muscle spasms, etc.

  
  

🪴 Chinese Herbal Medicine (中药)

Oral consumption of Chinese herbs regulates organ functions to treat the condition.

• Characteristics: 

  Comprehensive action, can treat a variety of symptoms.

• Indications: 

  Suitable for various types of post-stroke after-effects.

  
  

  ➡️ Blood-Invigorating and Stasis-Resolving Herbs: 

  Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), Chi Shao (Red Peony Root), Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), etc., used to invigorate blood and resolve stasis, improving microcirculation.

  
  

  ➡️ Qi- and Blood-Tonifying Herbs: 

  Ren Shen (Ginseng), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), etc., used to replenish Qi and Blood and strengthen the body's constitution.

  
  

  ➡️ Heat-Clearing and Detoxifying Herbs: 

  Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis), Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis), used to clear heat and detoxify, suitable for stroke with heat patterns.

Treatment Focus at Different Post-Stroke Stages:

• Acute Phase: 

  Primarily focuses on clearing heat and detoxifying, and invigorating blood and resolving stasis.

  
  

• Recovery Phase: 

  Mainly focuses on replenishing Qi and Blood, and unblocking collaterals to relieve pain.

  
  

• Chronic Phase: 

  Primarily aims to consolidate therapeutic effects and prevent recurrence.

Western Medical Treatment Focus:

🔸 Pharmacological Treatment:

• Antiplatelet drugs: To prevent blood clot formation.

• Antihypertensives: To control blood pressure.

• Lipid-lowering drugs: To reduce blood lipid levels.

• Thrombolytic drugs: Used within 4.5 hours of onset to dissolve blood clots and save brain tissue (for ischemic stroke).

🔸 Rehabilitation Therapy:

• Physical therapy: Through exercises, hot compresses, etc., to improve muscle function and promote blood circulation.

• Occupational therapy: To help patients regain daily living abilities.

• Speech therapy: For patients with aphasia to undergo language training.

Advantages of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine:

✨ Complementary Strengths:

TCM focuses on holistic regulation, while Western medicine targets specific pathologies. Combining both can achieve better treatment outcomes.

✨ Accelerated Recovery:

Integrated therapy can speed up a patient's functional recovery and shorten rehabilitation time.

✨ Improved Quality of Life:

The combination of Chinese and Western medicine can improve patients' quality of life and reduce the incidence of complications.

Rehabilitation Considerations During the Golden Period:

📣 Early Intervention: 

The earlier treatment begins after a stroke, the better the results.

📣 Individualized Treatment: 

Each patient's condition is unique, so treatment plans should be tailored to the individual.

📣 Multidisciplinary Collaboration: 

Rehabilitation requires the joint participation of neurology, rehabilitation, and TCM departments, among others.

📣 Patient's Active Cooperation: 

The patient's active cooperation is crucial for successful rehabilitation.

If you'd like to learn more about TCM wellness or wish to receive more personalized advice tailored to your specific situation, I recommend booking a consultation.