Stroke Hemiplegia and the Role of Acupuncture in Recovery
Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is associated with a high risk of death. Survivors after stroke often experience loss of vision, speech, confusion, and muscle paralysis (face, arms and legs). Every year, more than 15 million people suffer from stroke, where 1/3 contribute to death rates, and another 1/3 survivors have permanent disability.
One of the most common and challenging outcomes of stroke is hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body). This condition impairs the person’s ability to perform daily activities, such as writing, walking, speaking, and so on, leading to a reduced quality of life. Recently, acupuncture practices rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine have shown promising complementary therapy to improve stroke patients’ recovery.
What is Stroke Hemiplegia
Hemiplegia is the paralysis or weakness of muscles and occurs on one side of the body, affecting the arms, legs and facial features. Hemiparesis can be caused by stroke, where there is a sudden interruption of blood circulation in parts of the brain, leading to brain cell death and damage. As the brain is partially responsible for motor pathways that control movements, a disturbance in the brain causes movement abnormalities, resulting in hemiplegia.
Why does a disruption of blood flow cause stroke?
Usually, blood is responsible for constantly supplying oxygen and nutrients to many organs, including the brain, and ensures that the brain is receiving nourishment to perform adequately. When there is a blockage or decreased blood flow in the brain, parts of the brain fail to receive the nourishment it needs, and brain cells will eventually die. Consequently, the brain that controls body movements becomes dysfunctional, leading to paralysis.
The brain is divided into multiple regions responsible for controlling different body functions. For example, a stroke on the right side of the brain will affect the left side of the body and vice versa. If the stroke occurs towards the back of the brain, it may result in vision loss. An image of the functions of the brain below illustrate the different regions of the brain and its corresponding functions.
Hemiplegia occurs when a stroke damages the brain’s motor pathways that control voluntary movements. The severity of hemiplegia can vary depending on the extent and location of the brain damage. This paralysis can affect the arm, leg, and facial muscles on one side of the body, leading to difficulties in movement, coordination, and balance.
There are different types of stroke:
- Ischaemic stroke- when a clot is formed in the blood vessel, obstructing blood flow to the brain. This constitutes the majority of stroke causes.
- Hemorrhagic stroke- this is when the blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeds and is common in individuals with high blood pressure.
- Transient ischaemic attack(TIA)/mini-stroke- a temporary clot causes this. Individuals experiencing TIA should take this as a warning sign for stroke seriously.
