Stroke Recovery: How TCM Wellness and Daily Conditioning Can Improve Quality of Life for Post-Stroke Patients

Written By：Melody, TCM Practitioner.

After a stroke, bodily functions are impacted, and we understand that both you and your family are going through a tough time. Beyond professional medical treatment and rehabilitation, there's actually a lot you can do in daily life to aid recovery and enhance your quality of life!

🔔 Remember: Recovery is a marathon, and daily conditioning is your "refueling station"!

1️⃣ Dietary Conditioning: Eat Right to Replenish "Essence, Qi, and Spirit"! 🥬😗

Malaysia's diverse food culture offers many options, but stroke patients' diets require special attention. TCM emphasizes "medicine and food sharing the same origin" (药食同源); eating the right foods can help the body recover better.

Basic Principles:

✅ Light and bland focus: Less oil, salt, and sugar to reduce bodily burden.

✅ Balanced nutrition: Ensure sufficient intake of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

✅ Regular and quantitative meals: Eat consistently, avoid overeating.

TCM Recommended Dietary Tips:

⭕️ Eat more "Qi and Blood Tonics"

🔸Lean meats, fish: Such as chicken breast, Patin fish, or Kampung fish, provide high-quality protein.

🔸Red dates, goji berries: Add to soups or porridges to nourish Qi and Blood.

🔸Black sesame, walnuts: Blend into a paste or add to porridge to nourish the Liver and Kidneys, benefiting essence and blood.

🔸Drink more soups: Cook chicken soup with old ginger to warm the middle and dispel cold, beneficial for stroke patients with a colder constitution.

⭕️ Eat more "Blood-Invigorating and Stasis-Resolving" foods

🔸Onion, black fungus: These ingredients help invigorate blood and resolve stasis; incorporate them into dishes regularly.

🔸Hawthorn: Can be brewed as a tea or added to porridge to aid digestion and promote blood circulation.

🔸Small amount of Turmeric: Add a small amount of turmeric powder when stir-frying or stewing. TCM believes it has the effect of invigorating blood and unblocking meridians, but avoid excessive use.

⭕️ Eat more "Spleen-Strengthening and Dampness-Resolving" foods

🔸Coix seed (Barley), Euryale ferox seed (芡实): Can be cooked into a drink or added to porridge to strengthen the Spleen and eliminate dampness.

🔸Winter melon, luffa: Clear heat and resolve dampness; suitable for stroke patients with excessive dampness.

🔸Poria (茯苓): Available at TCM stores, can be slow-cooked with pork ribs to strengthen the Spleen and resolve dampness.

❌ Dietary Taboos (Limit as much as possible):

🔹High-fat foods: Such as fatty meats, fried foods (fried chicken, fried fish cakes), excessive coconut milk in Nasi Lemak.

🔹High-salt foods: Salted fish, pickled vegetables, excessive soy sauce and oyster sauce.

🔹High-sugar foods: Desserts, pastries, sodas.

🔹Pungent and stimulating foods: Excessive chili, curry, which can easily "cause heat" (上火) and worsen internal heat.

🔹Cold and raw foods: Iced water, raw fruits, which can easily harm the Spleen and Stomach, affecting Qi and Blood circulation.

2️⃣ Get Moving: Simple Exercises to Activate Muscles and Joints! 💃🏻🏃🏻‍➡️

While mobility may be limited after a stroke, appropriate exercise is crucial. These simple exercises can be done at home, without requiring too much effort, but consistency is key.

⭕️ Baduanjin (八段锦), Tai Chi

These traditional Qigong exercises feature slow, gentle movements that can unblock meridians, harmonize Qi and Blood, and enhance balance. Even while sitting or with family assistance, some movements can be practiced, such as "Holding the Heavens with Both Hands to Regulate the Triple Jiao" or "Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Eagle." Many communities in Malaysia have Tai Chi or Qigong groups where you can learn from professional instructors.

⭕️ Acupoint Massage:

Spend 10-15 minutes daily. Family members or the patient can gently massage the following acupoints with their fingers to help invigorate blood, unblock collaterals, and alleviate muscle stiffness and numbness:

➡️ Hegu (合谷穴): On the back of the hand, between the thumb and index finger, helps with facial issues and overall body.

➡️ Zusanli (足三里穴): Approximately four finger-widths below the outer knee, strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, tonifies Qi and Blood.

➡️ Fengchi (风池穴): In the hollow at the back of the neck, behind the ears at the hairline, relieves dizziness and neck stiffness.

➡️ Basic Hand and Foot Massage: Gently knead and rub the paralyzed limbs to promote blood circulation and prevent stiffness.

⭕️ Bedside Limb Activities:

🔸For bedridden or mobility-impaired patients, family members can assist with passive exercises: Gently help the patient's paralyzed limbs stretch, bend, and rotate, moving each joint to prevent joint stiffness and muscle atrophy.

🔸If the patient can move actively, encourage active exercises: Safely try simple movements like lifting arms, lifting legs, making fists, and extending fingers.

‼️ Remember: Exercise according to your capacity, gradually increasing intensity. Stop immediately if you feel uncomfortable. Ideally, perform these exercises under the guidance of a professional rehabilitation therapist.

3️⃣ Emotional Management: A Calm Mind Fosters a Healthy Body; Family is the Best Medicine!

After a stroke, patients often feel frustrated, anxious, or even depressed, which can severely hinder recovery progress. TCM believes that "emotions cause disease" (情志致病), and negative emotions can obstruct the flow of Qi and Blood.

⭕️ Maintain an Optimistic Mindset (⭕️ 保持乐观心态):

*Family understanding and support are the best medicine. Communicate more with the patient, listen to their concerns, and offer encouragement.

*Try relaxing activities like listening to soothing music, watching lighthearted shows, or practicing simple meditation.

*Encourage the patient to keep a journal, documenting their small recovery progress.

⭕️ Create a Positive Environment (⭕️营造积极环境):

*Ensure the home environment is warm and bright, avoiding damp and gloomy spaces.

*Encourage interaction with friends and relatives; avoid self-isolation.

*If emotional issues are severe, consider seeking professional psychological counseling or consulting a TCM practitioner for emotional regulation through herbs or acupuncture.

4️⃣ Home Environment Modification: Safety First, Convenience Foremost!

A safe and comfortable home environment can significantly reduce risks for patients and promote their independence.

⭕️ Anti-slip

Keep floors dry; install non-slip mats in bathrooms.

⭕️ Handrails

Install handrails in the bathroom, beside the toilet, and on staircases.

⭕️ Accessibility

Remove rugs, thresholds, and other obstacles to keep pathways clear.

⭕️ Ample Lighting

Ensure sufficient lighting, especially at night, in hallways and bathrooms.

⭕️ Common Items Within Reach

Place frequently used items where the patient can easily access them.

Post-stroke recovery is a long battle with no shortcuts. The ideal approach is a comprehensive rehabilitation plan combining Western and Chinese medicine.

✅ Western Rehabilitation

Provides professional physical function training, helping the brain relearn movements. This is the cornerstone of restoring motor function.

✅ TCM Wellness and Conditioning

Acts like "deep maintenance" for the body, internally regulating Qi and Blood, alleviating discomfort, and enhancing overall constitution. It provides strong "logistical support" for Western rehabilitation, making the recovery journey smoother and more effective.

‼️ Remember: Every effort counts, and persistence will lead to an improved quality of life!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general knowledge and reference only and should not replace professional medical advice. The rehabilitation plan for stroke patients must be formulated by a qualified doctor and rehabilitation therapist based on individual circumstances. If you have any health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

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