Did you know that a cost benefit analysis study in Complementary Therapies in Medicine showed that patients who received acupuncture treatments following a stroke event compared to a control group overall not only had fewer days spent in nursing homes/rehabilitation facilities but also had a subsequent savings over of $49,852 per year?!
A stroke is like a thief in the night, stealing away moments and leaving chaos in its wake. Whether it's a sudden weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking/swallowing, or loss of coordination, the aftermath of a stroke can be devastating. The fear of a recurrent stroke, combined with the struggle to regain normalcy, can cast a long and daunting shadow over the affected individual and their loved ones both emotionally and financially.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.
While the frequency and duration of acupuncture treatments for stroke recovery varies depending on the individual response and severity of the event, it is critical that the individual DO NOT DELAY and be brought in for treatment AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Unlike many other chronic conditions, the success of treatment is highly dependent on the time that has passed since the stroke. Day by day, week by week, month to month, the outlook and degree of progress that can be made becomes exponentially poorer with very little to be expected beyond a six-month window.
At Cucamonga Acupuncture & Wellness, clinical director and board-certified sole practitioner Jasmine Casupanan, L.Ac has successfully treated and managed the worst symptoms for numerous stroke patients over seven years of practice. We believe in the power of integrative medicine, personalized plans, and compassionate care to treat the root of the issue, rather than just masking the symptoms. Our goal is for our patients to get their life back, and not have to worry about how much worse it's going to get in the future. Using a refined combination of traditional acupuncture, electroacupuncture, ozone therapy, and ATP Resonance BioTherapy© we are able not only to make the future brighter for our patients who've suffered a stroke event but also achieve powerful results at a more consistent rate than acupuncture alone.
Along with acupuncture, our clinic is the only clinic you will find within the Inland Empire that implements the use of ATP Resonance BioTherapy©. While acupuncture/electroacupuncture works to break up pain signals, ATP Resonance BioTherapy© is a unique and immensely powerful adjunct frequency specific micro-current therapy that increases the metabolic function of the different parts of the body at a cellular level. To put it simply, we're refining and updating the software that is your body. Just like you update your phone every once in awhile to run more efficiently, we are updating your cells!
The ways in which our customized treatment plans are able to help stroke patients:
Restoring Motor Function: Acupuncture helps in restoring motor function after a stroke. By targeting specific points related to muscle control and coordination, acupuncture helps stimulate the nervous system and encourages the brain to rewire itself. This process, known as neuroplasticity, plays a crucial role in recovering lost motor skills.
Alleviating Pain and Discomfort: Chronic pain is a common aftermath of a stroke. Acupuncture, through its ability to stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, offers relief from persistent pain and discomfort. This natural approach to pain management is particularly beneficial for individuals who may want to avoid the side effects of long-term medication use.
Improving Cognitive Function: Cognitive impairment is another challenge faced by stroke survivors. Acupuncture has been linked to improvements in cognitive function by enhancing blood flow to the brain and reducing inflammation. This not only aids in the recovery of cognitive abilities but also helps prevent further decline.
Addressing Emotional Well-being: The emotional toll of a stroke is often underestimated. Acupuncture doesn't just focus on the physical aspects of recovery; it also addresses emotional well-being. By targeting points associated with stress reduction and emotional balance, acupuncture can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, fostering a more holistic recovery process.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
A stroke event is otherwise known as a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) where someone experiences a serious disruption of blood flow to the brain. It can caused by multiple factors that results in serious and sometimes devastating neurological effects. There are (3) types of strokes:
Ischemic Stroke: occurs when there is a blockage or clot in a blood vessel, leading to a reduction or cessation of blood flow to a part of the brain, resulting in tissue damage.
Hemorrhagic Stroke: occurs when there is bleeding into or around the brain, often due to the rupture of a blood vessel, leading to damage of brain tissue.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): often referred to as a "mini-stroke," a TIA is caused by a temporary disruption in blood flow to the brain. TIAs produce symptoms similar to those of a stroke but typically last for a short period (less than 24 hours) without causing permanent damage. They are considered warning signs of an increased risk of a more severe stroke.
After a stroke event, the communication between the brain and body gets severely damaged. Acupuncture works by promoting neurogenesis (the regeneration of damaged neurons) in the central nervous system, regulates cerebral blood flow in the brain, and secretes and regulates important neurotransmitters needed for proper brain signalling.
If you don't remember anything else from freshman year biology, you probably remember that "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell"! Well, what seemed like pretty useless information at the time actually ties in so much about what we know about health today. Yes, the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell as it's responsible for the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) -- a critical supplier of energy. ATP IS ENERGY, it is a type of Qi, it's the fuel that drives all the physiological processes of the body. When our cells are damaged or our mitochondria is otherwise unable to produce ATP, we cannot have proper cell function, our bodies cannot metabolize food, absorb important nutrients, dispose itself of toxins, and our muscles become unable to move.
If the engine isn't working properly, no amount or quality of fuel (vitamins, supplements, medications) will get you very far.
Our customized acupuncture protocols along with ATP Resonance BioTherapy™ increases ATP production at 500x the normal rate, expedites protein synthesis, drives oxygenation and increases healthy blood flow. Altogether we are able to rehabilitate damaged nerves, neutralize systemic inflammation, and feel like your whole self again!
One of the advantages of our treatment program is the low risk of adverse side effects. Compared to pharmacological treatments, acupuncture is a safe and non-invasive option for individuals suffering from the effects of a stroke. However, it should not be leaned on as a singular rehab strategy -- patients are highly encouraged to participate in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech therapy as recommended by your primary care doctor. You can be assured that all your efforts made in these areas will be enhanced and multiplied by acupuncture.
All of our modalities are safe to use on patients who have surgically installed hardware like pins, plates, artificial joints, stents, pacemakers, pumps, and spinal cord stimulators. It can be used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments or as a standalone therapy, depending on the severity and underlying cause of the stroke event. (Our practitioner of course will better assess risk and approach with caution on a case by case basis.)
The number of treatments needed to allow the brain tissue to recover will vary from person to person. We create an individualized plan specific to YOU.
To schedule a new patient consultation and evaluation simply call our office at 909-808-1406, or CLICK HERE to fill out a contact form and our Care Coordinator will be in touch with you to schedule.