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Acupuncture/Post stroke rehabilitation

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Expert: - 4/5/2011


Question
QUESTION: Hi,

My Dad suffered a stroke 4 months back. His left side is hemiparetic he lacks sitting and standing balance, cant walk yet. Can acupuncture help?

ANSWER: Dear Shital -

I am so sorry for your father’s situation.  This must be very frightening to him.  In terms of whether acupuncture can help with his condition, the answer is a qualified “Yes.”  Basically, the first 6 months to a year or so after a stroke is the time when the most healing can occur.  If someone comes to me during this time I tell them that acupuncture will likely be of value; if it is two or three years, however, then probably not.  The exception seems to be improvement in swallowing and tongue movement where I have had positive results up to four years post-stroke.  In your father’s case I would recommend finding someone experienced in using scalp acupuncture for post-stroke treatment.  This is a type of treatment that actually has a basis in western neurological principles rather than the more typical “meridian based” acupuncture.  The scalp acupuncture apparently works to increase blood flow in the brain and helps the body make restorative connections between damaged portions of the brain and areas in the body.

I wish you and your father the very best.

Malama pono –

Mike Zanoni
Hawaii


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for the prompt answer. The problem is, knowing someone who is an expert in scalp acupuncture here! I do have some contacts but they are either too far off such that they would not come to treat my father and taking him to them is impossible. And those closer by that might not be experienced in scalp acupuncture. I do not know how to solve this quandary
:-(

Answer
Dear Shital -

You definitely have a quandary, although one that I may have created by my suggestion. It may be  there is an acupuncturist close by who will come to see your father and although not experienced is willing to learn.  There are internet sites that have diagrams of the scalp acupuncture points.  Also, scalp acupuncture is not the only method; it just happens to be very effective.  Regular meridian based acupuncture can also be helpful.  My suggestion is to find someone close by who is compassionate and does not make promises of a cure.  With post-stroke treatment what we hope for is improvement of specific signs and symptoms so that the person has a better quality of life.

I hope that my comments are helpful.

Thank you for the opportunity to hold you and your father in my thoughts and prayers.

Mike Zanoni
Hawaii

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Michael M. Zanoni, MS, LAc

Expertise

I am knowledgeable about severe and chronic pain from musculoskeletal or neurological conditions, especially trauma, headache, and fibromyalgia. I can provide guidance that will assist healing and recovery after illness or surgery. I have a particular interest in long-term chronic conditions that are becoming progressively worse or intermittently severe (such as viral hepatitis, Crohn's, or Takayasu syndrome.) I have extensive experience treating endocrine disorders, such as diabetes or thyroid problems, where the primary condition is being monitored by a Western-trained physician, and cancer where there are specific treatment goals other than cure (e.g., decrease of pain; reduction of side effects of radiation and chemotherapy; lessening of edema; palliative treatment of associated conditions.) I do not treat or answer questions about infertility, ALS, or senile dementia.

Experience

I have practiced Oriental medicine for over fourteen years in a variety of settings. Much of my practice has centered around a busy clinic specializing in severe long-term chronic pain conditions and palliative care. For several years I worked in a hospice program. I also established a non-profit community clinic providing care to under-served and homeless patients. My work has found me in an HIV clinic in San Francisco, a busy private practice in Oregon, to traveling on muddy 4-wheel drive roads to see dying patients. I now teach acupuncture and Oriental medicine at a school in Hawaii.

Education/Credentials
My training was at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco where I received a master’s degree in Chinese Medicine. I have current board certifications in Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture, and Chinese Herbology from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. I also have certifications in Chinese tui na bodywork, Physical Rehabilitation Training, and biofeedback. I am licensed to practice acupuncture and Oriental medicine in Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Montana. I also have BA, MS, and PhD degrees in subjects not directly related to Oriental medicine.

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