Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, after heart attack and cancer, and it is a leading cause of adult disability. Stroke patients must receive emergency treatment with Western medicine. It is important to identify a stroke condition as early as possible because patients who are treated earlier are more likely to survive and become less disabled.
Stroke survivors usually have some degree of sequelae of symp- toms depending primarily on the location in the brain involved and the amount of brain tissue damaged. Disability affects about 75% of stroke survivors, and it can affect patients physically, mentally, emotionally, or a combination of all three elements. The symptoms of stroke depend on the type of stroke and the area of the brain affected. They include paralysis, weakness or abnormal sensations in limbs or face, complex regional pain, aphasia, apraxia, altered vision, problems with hearing, taste, or smell, vertigo, disequilib- rium, altered coordination, difficulty swallowing, and mental and emotional changes.
Because each side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body, a stroke affecting one side of the brain results in neurologic symptoms on the other side of the body. For example, if the stroke occurs in the motor area of the right side of the brain, the left side of the body may show weakness or paralysis. Although there is no cure for stroke, most stroke patients now have a good chance for survival and recovery. When stroke patients pass the acute stage, they should start rehabilitation as soon as possible. Stroke rehabilitation is the process by which patients undergo treatment to help them return to their normal life as much as possible by regaining and relearning the skills of everyday living such as speaking or walking. These treatments include acupuncture, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and massage.
Scalp acupuncture has been found to have a very good effect on the sequelae of stroke, including hemiplegia, aphasia, complex regional pain, and abnormal sensations in the limbs. Many patients treated with scalp acupuncture at our clinics have shown some immediate improvement from their initial scalp acupuncture treatment. Numerous studies in China over the past three decades have shown that scalp acupuncture is effective in relieving the sequelae of stroke, especially for paralysis.
Dysphagia is classified into two major types, oropharyngeal dysphagia and esophageal dysphagia. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is often caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Bell’s palsy. Esophageal dysphagia can be subdivided into mechanical and functional causes. Functional causes include achalasia, myasthenia gravis, and bulbar or pseudobulbar palsy. Mechanical causes usually comprise peptic esophagitis, carcinoma of the esophagus or gastric cardia, candida esophagitis, and pharyngeal pouch. Medicines can help some people, while others may need surgery. Treatment with a speech-language pathologist can help. Patients may find it helpful to change their diet or hold their heads or necks in a certain way when they eat. In very serious cases, patients may need feeding tubes.
Scalp acupuncture offers great rehabilitation tools for dysphagia. Most patients with dysphagia whom we have treated showed some improvement after three treatments and some of them appear better right way.
Research on the effect of scalp acupuncture for dysphagia • Li Min and colleagues reported the treatment of 60 cases of dysphagia due to stroke using scalp acupuncture in 2009. The duration of the condition was from 30-360 days. The 60 cases were randomly divided into a five-needle-in-nape (FNN) group and a routine acupuncture (RA) group, 30 cases in each group. The FNN group was treated with needling Ya Men (GV 15), Tian Zhu (Bl 10), and Zhi Qiang Xue (new extra point). The RA group was treated with needling at Lian Quan (CV 23), Tong Li (Ht 5) and Zhao Hai (Ki 6). Treatment was given six times a week and 16 treatments made a course. Results showed seven cases fully recovered, 13 cases markedly improved, eight cases some improvement and two cases failure in FNN group. Five cases fully recovered, eight cases markedly improved, 11 cases some improvement, and six cases failure in the RA group. The effective rate was 93.3% in the FNN group, better than that of 80.8% in RA group (P< 0.05) (4)
4. Li Min et al., “Observation on Therapeutic Effect of Five-Needle-in-Nape Acupuncture for Treatment of Post-stroke Pseudobulbar Paralysis Dysphagia,” Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, November 2009, Vol. 29 No. 11, p. 873-875 Phantom Limb Pain, Residual Limb Pain, and Complex Regional Pain Phantom limb pain, residual limb pain, and complex regional pain are common symptoms for patients with limb injuries and/or amputations. Several studies have shown that approximately 70% to 80% of patients develop pain within the first few days after amputation. Phantom limb pain is the term for abnormal sensation perceived from a previously amputated limb. Patients may feel a variety of sensations emanating from the absent limb. The limb may feel completely intact despite its absence. Patients often describe their pain as burning, squeezing, cramping, prickling, shooting, or stabbing sensations. Residual limb pain is believed to come from injured nerves at the amputation site. Residual limb pain is often associated
Naturopathic Visit Types:
Free 15-Minute Consult:
The Completely Free Fit Test-Here is where you and I meet for the first time to get to know one another and what Naturopathic Medicine can do for you. Open your floodgates about all your concerns (briefly) so I can get a full picture of what is it you seek from a treatment plan in the future and I can share with you my interests and strengths to see if you and I are a good fit! This appointment will provide the opportunity to answer preliminary questions you may have, and outline the plan and investment of working together.
Initial Naturopathic Visit All Modalities -1 hour and 15 minutes
Unlike conventional medical appointments, we don’t just cover one concern, we cover ALL YOUR problems! We will go over all your chief complaints, health history, social history, medications, family history, past treatments, and health supplements you take, and mostly we will do thorough research to find the root cause of your problem. Our goal is not just to mitigate symptoms but to get an in-depth look at your whole body and health in the past and now; so we may draft a treatment plan in the coming weeks which addresses your whole body naturally using natural herbs, hydrotherapy, diet changes, lifestyle changes, exercise, homeopathy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbs while working with your medical doctor as a team. You will take the front seat in driving your health forward
Naturopathic Follow-up Visit All Modalities- 60 minutes
We will undergo a treatment agreed upon between you and me which uses natural herbs, hydrotherapy, diet changes, lifestyle changes, exercise, homeopathy, and Chinese herbs mainly which will slowly address your concerns and bring you back into the path of wellness and health. We will review test results, and how you respond to the treatment plan, refine any prescriptions, and discuss your next steps as needed based on your progress so far.
Naturopathic Follow-up Visit All Modalities- 45 minutes
We will undergo a treatment agreed upon between you and me which uses natural herbs, hydrotherapy, diet changes, lifestyle changes, exercise, homeopathy, and Chinese herbs mainly which will slowly address your concerns and bring you back into the path of wellness and health. We will review test results, and how you respond to the treatment plan, refine any prescriptions, and discuss your next steps as needed based on your progress so far.
Naturopathic Results Check-In/ No Treatment- 30 minutes
This appointment allows us to review our treatment plan and its effectiveness verbally, any lab test results you may have, see if any changes need to be made to your diet or lifestyle, and refine any prescriptions as needed. No treatment will be administered during this short visit.
Naturopathic Results Check-In/ No Treatment- 15 minutes
This appointment allows us to review our treatment plan and its effectiveness verbally, any lab test results you may have, see if any changes need to be made to your diet or lifestyle, and refine any prescriptions as needed. No treatment will be administered during this short visit.
Massage, Cupping, and Acupuncture/TCM Appointments:
Naturopathic Massage/Cupping Visit
– 60 minutes- Includes a 15-minute doctor assessment
Here we shall focus on doing some bodywork and healing you through cupping and or massage therapy with healing oils and relaxing music.
Naturopathic Massage/Cupping Visit
– 40 minutes- Includes a 10-minute doctor assessment
Here we shall focus on doing some bodywork and healing you through cupping and or massage therapy with healing oils and relaxing music.
Initial Chinese Medicine focus visit/without acupuncture- 45 minutes
This is where we focus on diagnosing you according to Chinese medicine and finding out which acupuncture points and which Chinese herbs will work with your unique body.
Follow-up TCM/ Acupuncture plus Chinese Herbal Medicine Focus Visit – 60 minutes
This is a visit where we focus extensively on acupuncture whether it be ear, scalp, or body acupuncture, and Chinese Medicine to get you the best results and maximum energy and pain relief.
Follow-up TCM/ Acupuncture plus Chinese Herbal Medicine Focus Visit – 45 minutes
This is a visit where we focus extensively on acupuncture whether it be ear, scalp, or body acupuncture, and Chinese medicine to get you the best results and maximum energy and pain relief.
Naturopathic Massage + Acupuncture Visit
– 75 minutes- Includes a 10-minute doctor assessment
If you’ve got a condition where Acupuncture and Massage can work wonders, then we do it together in one visit. Who does that? So call us right away for the maximum pain relief and effective treatment in the city!
Cost-Reduced Community Acupuncture Visits:
Follow-up TCM Acupuncture Only Community Setting – 1 hour – $80
(Need to book Initial Chinese Medicine focus visit/without acupuncture and specify you want group acupuncture followups)
Here is a unique type of acupuncture where you shall either be seated or lying down with no need to disrobe. You can bring your comfy pillow or your favorite blanket, and earbuds and come enjoy the community setting where multiple people can be getting treatment at once and this has an additive therapeutic effect on all involved. Plus it’s cheaper and more affordable at it!
Call us to find out how!
Uninsured Massage by Relaxation Expert:
This massage is done by an experienced massage professional but cannot be claimed by insurance benefits. Relax with us and release all your stress in our safe hands. Don’t have insurance? No worries! Our expert is trained in Swedish Massage, Indian Massage as well as Thai Massage so see it work wonders on your body pain and stiffness!