Stroke, a silent threat, can leave individuals grappling with long-term disabilities. While modern medicine offers crucial treatments, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides a complementary approach to support recovery and prevention.
Stroke is a major health concern in Singapore, ranking as the fourth leading cause of death and a significant source of adult disability. A staggering 63% of stroke patients experience some form of disability within just three months. Given the silent and severe nature of strokes, coupled with the long-term disabilities they can cause, it's no wonder many people fear this condition.
TCM continues to be widely used today, particularly in South and East Asia, as a complementary therapy alongside conventional Western medicine. Yet, many are unaware of the unique benefits that TCM can bring to the challenging journey of stroke rehabilitation. Let’s explore how TCM views stroke, the treatments it offers, and the potential benefits for recovery.
Understanding Stroke: A Dual Perspective
From a biomedical standpoint, a stroke happens when the brain's blood supply is interrupted, causing brain cells to malfunction. There are two primary types of stroke:
Ischaemic Stroke: This occurs when a blood vessel is blocked, limiting blood flow to the brain. It accounts for 74% of strokes in Singapore.
Haemorrhagic Stroke: This happens when a blood vessel ruptures, leading to bleeding in the brain, making up 24% of strokes in Singapore.
TCM, however, sees stroke as more than just a brain issue. It views stroke as a condition affecting the body's meridians and organs due to disrupted qi and blood flow. This disruption can stem from both internal and external factors, rushing upwards to impact the head. Understanding these factors can help in taking preventive actions against stroke.
Preventing Stroke: The TCM Approach
Prevention in TCM focuses on both those who have never had a stroke and those who have. TCM identifies five key entities related to stroke: Wind (风), Fire (火), Phlegm (痰), Stagnation/Stasis (瘀), and Deficiency (虚). Let’s dive into each:
Deficiency: As we age, it's natural for the Yin of the Liver and Kidney to decrease, leading to various health issues. While aging is inevitable, adopting healthy habits can help conserve this vital Yin energy:
Sleep Early: Aim to be in bed before 11 pm.
Rest Well: Avoid overworking and ensure you get adequate rest.
Eat Yin-Nourishing Foods: Incorporate deep green leafy vegetables, cucumber, celery, millet, eggs, and fish into your diet.
Avoid Heat-Inducing Foods: Steer clear of fried and grilled foods that can deplete Yin.
Fire (Heat): Yin deficiency can lead to excessive heat, further depleting Yin in the body. Factors like late-night sleep, anger, frustration, and stress can exacerbate this fire, affecting the Heart and Liver. Left unchecked, this can lead to serious conditions like stroke. To manage this heat:
Diet: Include heat-clearing foods like lotus seeds and lily bulbs in your meals.
Sleep Early: Maintain a consistent early bedtime.
Stay Positive: Foster a cheerful and positive mindset to reduce stress.
Phlegm: Phlegm is another pathogenic factor in TCM, often resulting from a weakened Spleen due to irregular eating habits or excess consumption of dairy, rich, fatty, and sweet foods. This can lead to obesity and other issues such as:
Symptoms: Numbness in extremities, mental clouding, slurred speech, and a swollen tongue with a sticky coating.
Causes: Extreme physical exertion can also weaken the Spleen, leading to Phlegm production.
Stagnation/Stasis: Qi stagnation, caused by either Qi deficiency or stress, can lead to blood stasis, affecting meridians and joints and causing stiffness and pain. To combat this:
Exercise: Stay active and engage in stress-relieving activities.
Rest and Diet: Ensure adequate rest and maintain a balanced diet to alleviate Qi deficiency
Wind: In TCM, Wind isn't just a weather phenomenon but a factor that can cause sudden health issues like stroke. There are two types:
External Wind: From the environment.
Internal Wind: From within the body, often due to severe Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency, leading to conditions like stroke, coma, mental clouding, and paralysis.
Post-Stroke Rehabilitation with TCM
Combining TCM with Western medical care can optimize stroke recovery. It’s crucial to start treatments like acupuncture within the first three months post-stroke for maximum benefit. Here are some common post-stroke disabilities that TCM can address:
Hemiparesis/Hemiplegia: Weakness or paralysis on one side, affecting daily activities.
Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing due to brain damage.
Dysphasia: Language difficulties, affecting speech, writing, or comprehension.
Dysarthria: Weak or paralyzed speech muscles, leading to slurred speech.
Muscle Spasms and Spasticity
Sensory Disturbances: Loss of touch, pain, temperature, or position sense.
Urinary and Fecal Incontinence
Shoulder and Arm Pain
Anxiety and Depression
Insomnia
TCM Treatments for Stroke Recovery
Cupping: Cupping is a common stroke rehabilitation method in Asian countries. While more research is needed to conclusively prove its effectiveness, a systematic review of 43 studies suggests that cupping therapy can have positive effects on conditions like hemiplegic shoulder pain, upper-limb strength, aphasia, and even intractable hiccups following a stroke.
Acupuncture: According to the British Acupuncture Council, acupuncture may assist in a wide range of post-stroke symptoms, including functional recovery, motor function, cognition, speech problems, dysphagia, shoulder pain, urinary incontinence, constipation, depression, fatigue, and even as a preventive measure for ischaemic cerebral apoplexy.
Generally, acupuncture is thought to stimulate the nervous system, causing the release of neurochemical messenger molecules. These biochemical changes can influence the body's homeostatic mechanisms, promoting physical and emotional well-being. Beyond post-stroke rehabilitation, acupuncture has also shown potential in inducing cerebral ischaemic tolerance and providing a neuroprotective effect, especially when combined with electro-therapy, known as electro-acupuncture, highlighting its role as a preventive strategy.
Herbal Medication: Several factors contribute to the formation of Internal Wind, which can lead to strokes. These can be managed through specific herbal medications. For example, a pilot study has shown that the Danshen Dripping Pill (DPP) may reduce the risk of stroke or TIA recurrence due to its anti-inflammatory properties. DPP contains Red Sage Root (Salvia Miltiorrhiza danshen; 丹参), Notoginseng (Panax Notoginseng sanqi; 三七), and Borneol Flakes (bingpian; 冰片). These herbs work together to move stagnant Qi and alleviate blood stasis, potentially reducing stroke risk.
Conclusion
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic approach to stroke prevention and rehabilitation, complementing conventional Western treatments. By addressing the underlying imbalances in the body and promoting overall well-being, TCM can play a vital role in the recovery journey for stroke patients. Whether it's through cupping, acupuncture, or herbal medication, the integration of TCM in stroke care can help improve physical functions, alleviate symptoms, and enhance the quality of life. Embracing TCM alongside modern medical practices provides patients with a comprehensive path to recovery, empowering them to regain their health and vitality.
Ready to enhance your stroke recovery journey? Book an appointment with Alpine TCM Clinic today!
Comments