Strokes occur when blood no longer reaches a part of the brain, preventing it from absorbing oxygen and nutrients.

A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bursting blood vessels, while ischemic strokes are caused by blood clots. During a “mini-stroke” or transient ischemic attack, blood flow is reduced briefly before returning to normal. When brain cells lack adequate blood flow, they quickly deteriorate and die. Strokes of any type are dangerous for a person’s health and need to be treated immediately. In order to prevent a stroke from occurring again, a person who suffers from a mini-stroke should seek medical attention to check for damage.

Given the right nourishment and circumstances, the human brain is incredibly capable of regeneration. It is possible to regenerate blood vessels and create new neurons (specialized brain cells) by eating well and exercising.

A person must also be motivated and capable of working through the difficulties of retraining the brain and body to maximize the flow of nutrient-rich blood to the brain.

This can be treated with acupuncture and TCM. Acupuncture enhances the flow of Qi and blood to blocked areas in the body, while TCM herbs provide nutrients people may not be able to obtain from food. To aid in stroke recovery, acupuncture helps to stimulate muscle and organ tissue and preestablish nerve connections.

There are five internal factors that can cause strokes, according to TCM: deficiency, stagnation, fire/heat, phlegm, and wind.

1. There is a lack of Yin in the body, especially in the liver and kidneys. People often experience this because they stay up late, don’t get enough sleep, or eat foods that cause them to become hotter.
2. As a result of stress and conflict, strong emotions like anger and frustration build up in the body, especially affecting the heart and liver.
3. Due to unhealthy eating habits, phlegm can also form in the body. In addition to numbness and mental fog, phlegm buildup especially affects the spleen.
4. There is stagnation when blood or Qi is unable to flow freely through vessels and meridians. Getting Qi and blood flowing again can be helped with acupuncture treatment and exercise.
5. Wind in TCM can enter the body from the outside environment (external) or from within (generated within). It is believed that internal wind causes stroke victims to lose consciousness of their bodies, become mentally disconnected, and/or become physically paralyzed.

In addition to acupuncture, cupping may be used to aid stroke recovery. One of the lesser-known symptoms following a stroke: is persistent hiccups may benefit from cupping because it increases blood flow.

To help you maintain good health and longevity, your acupuncturist and TCM practitioner have several tools at your disposal. Strokes are more likely to occur if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a history of heart problems. An acupuncturist can help you manage these conditions and provide counselling so that you can make the best lifestyle changes to prevent strokes.

To regain strength and abilities after a stroke, you will likely need lots of support and a rigorous course of therapy. Patients who are recovering from a stroke should ideally receive 2-3 acupuncture treatments per week to get the most benefit. Integrative care may be the key to making the fullest recovery possible after a stroke.