Is acupuncture after stroke effective?

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Acupuncture can be a key benefit to stroke rehabilitation when done correctly. Results are most noticeable in the acute phase and, first, treatment must be started promptly. Early intervention promises to be more effective. In this way, stroke patients will recover faster and more safely. This article will help you better understand the effects of acupuncture after a stroke.

1. What is acupuncture?

A stroke can happen to anyone from birth to adulthood. There are currently two known types of stroke. The first type is a stroke that occurs when the blood supply is no longer circulating to the brain which is called an ischemic stroke. The second type is a stroke that occurs when a blood vessel bursts or leaks in the brain called a hemorrhagic stroke. Both types of stroke are dangerous conditions and, depending on the severity, can cause permanent damage. Rehabilitation is an important part of stroke recovery. There are now many forms of stroke rehabilitation that cover everything from physical activity to cognitive and emotional performance, and post-stroke acupuncture is one of them.
Some people see acupuncture as a supplement to traditional rehabilitation methods. The health benefits of acupuncture include:
Acupuncture is widely accepted as a treatment to reduce the severity of chronic pain. Acupuncture has also recently been used to relax the body and mind. Acupuncture is a Chinese healing practice that has been around for centuries. It involves the use of thin, sterilized needles and is performed by a licensed acupuncturist. These needles are placed into specific areas of the body that are said to be able to release different forms of all-natural healing energies. For example, acupuncture that applies pressure to the "third eye point" between a patient's eyebrows is said to be effective in reducing headaches.
Although acupuncture is primarily recognized as a natural treatment for chronic pain, its potential benefits go far beyond that. It has been used to help improve sleep disorders and digestive system health. This practice is also said to help relax the mind and reduce stress or anxiety.

2. What effect does acupuncture have in rehabilitation after stroke?

If you or someone you know has had a stroke, you are well aware that the road to recovery after treatment can be long and often frustrating. Rehabilitation begins as soon as possible, often during the initial hospital stay and may include rehabilitation nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and related issues to social work.
In addition to the usual rehabilitation methods being applied to people after a stroke, some people have turned to acupuncture, a type of needle-based alternative therapy long used in TCM China. Up to 46% of stroke survivors turn to complementary and alternative medicine to help ease their complications, with acupuncture being a popular choice. During acupuncture treatment, acupuncturists insert small needles into specific points on the body. This therapy is thought to help relieve pain, improve quality of life and mental well-being, and can help with activities of daily living such as walking or self-care.

Although some studies suggest that acupuncture may benefit people who have had a stroke, there have not been enough large-scale and well-designed clinical trials for scientists to draw conclusions. most accurate argument. A research review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2016 included 31 studies (with a total of 2257 participants) on acupuncture for stroke rehabilitation. . According to the study's authors, acupuncture can improve dependence, impaired nervous system strength, and certain neurological impairments specific to people who have had a stroke. However, the authors caution that most of the studies included in their analysis are not of sufficient quality and size, making it difficult to draw conclusions.
In a research review published in the Journal of Acupuncture in Medicine in 2015, scientists reviewed previously published clinical trials comparing acupuncture and rehabilitation therapy. function with rehabilitation alone in people 3 months or less after a stroke. In their conclusion, the authors state that acupuncture with rehabilitation may be more beneficial than rehabilitation alone. Results from several studies suggest that acupuncture may have specific benefits during certain stroke rehabilitation such as:
Dysphagia after stroke : After a stroke, some people have difficulty swallowing when swallowing (a condition known as dysphagia) makes eating difficult and can lead to choking or choking. For a report published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2012, researchers evaluated 33 previously published studies (with a total of 6779 participants). comparing different dysphagia treatments in people who had a stroke within six months of study entry. In their review, the report authors found evidence that acupuncture reduces dysphagia. Post-stroke spasticity: After a stroke, some people experience muscle stiffness and involuntary spasticity (known as post-stroke spasticity), which can make performing daily activities difficult. so difficult. A report published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Renaissance in 2017 analyzed 22 previously published trials using electroacupuncture for stroke-related spasticity. The report's authors found that electroacupuncture within six months of stroke combined with usual care can help reduce spasticity in the upper and lower extremities. However, an earlier report (published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine) concluded that the effectiveness of acupuncture on spasticity after stroke is uncertain due to the poor quality of the research. ensure. The authors recommend larger-scale and more rigorously designed studies to reach a definitive conclusion on this hypothesis. In joint guidelines, the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association recognize acupuncture as a potential adjuvant (additional) therapy that may be beneficial for a number of post-stroke complications, including dysarthria. and shoulder pain. The groups note that the scientific evidence is insufficient to make acupuncture recommendations to improve walking or motor function and strongly recommend against using acupuncture to help improve performance. perform activities of daily living and upper extremity activities.

3. Side effects and adverse reactions of acupuncture in patients after stroke

When using acupuncture for stroke rehabilitation, it is important to work with a qualified medical acupuncturist who has experience in stroke rehabilitation therapy. Only sterile, disposable acupuncture needles should be used.
Although the risks of acupuncture are considered low if acupuncture is performed by a qualified, licensed professional, possible side effects may include: pain, soreness , swelling, bruising or bleeding at the needle site, fainting, organ trauma, hematoma, hemiplegia, and infection.
Acupuncture is considered "relatively safe" according to an acupuncture review for stroke; however, a review of adverse events after acupuncture included pneumothorax, fainting , cardiovascular injury and hemorrhage. If the patient has a bleeding disorder, is taking certain blood-thinning medications such as warfarin, has a pacemaker, is pregnant, or has a compromised immune system, stroke rehabilitation acupuncture may be helpful. may not be specified.
Rehabilitation after a stroke is a long and often complicated process that can leave people feeling dissatisfied with their recovery and seeking additional therapies for help. Although there isn't enough evidence from large-scale clinical trials to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of acupuncture, for some people, acupuncture can help improve quality of life and work. aggressive for problems such as swallowing or spasticity. If you're thinking of trying acupuncture, it's important to consult with your doctor first. They can help you determine if it might be beneficial and safe to include this approach in your rehabilitation.

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References: mayoclinic.org, verywellhealth.com, healthline.com