Is Acupuncture Safe for Stroke Rehabilitation?

 It's a fair question. When your loved on is already fragile, it is important to ask if further treatment is going to be worth the effort of getting to and getting through the appointment.

Several studies (like this one and this one) have shown that acupuncture is not only safe for people with neurological deficiencies, but highly beneficial. This page refers to yet more medical studies from China that show post-stroke patients who receive acupuncture get well faster, perform better in self-care, require less nursing and rehabilitation therapy, and use fewer healthcare dollars.

In other words, it's worth the effort to get to yet another appointment. Once in the office, patients and their caregivers talk through their situation with me. We discuss symptoms, treatments, medical history, and any specific concerns you might have. Then the patient gets to lie down on a treatment table with a cozy blanket. Insertion of acupuncture needles isn't painful. For stroke patients, they are usually placed in the scalp. Many patients don't notice them going in at all. Once the needles are placed, I ensure the patient's comfort, dim the lights, and leave them to rest quietly for between 20-40 minutes. 

From the patient perspective, acupuncture isn't strenuous. It shouldn't be scary. And it really can help.

Contact me today for more information.