• Bell's Palsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Post Stroke Rehabilitation

Bell's Palsy

Bell’s Palsy is a disorder of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) which causes paralysis on one side of the face. The facial nerve controls muscle function from the top of the eye down to the chin, and thus Bell’s palsy will cause the whole side of the face to droop and appear expressionless. Lacrimation and salivation can be affected. It typically comes on suddenly, lasts for a few weeks, and gradually goes away.

The cause of Bell’s palsy is unknown, but the herpes virus is possibly involved. Chinese medicine views this condition as a kind of “external Wind invasion”, and indeed many Bell’s palsy patients associate onset of symptoms with exposure to wind and cold. Although the condition is usually self-limiting there are some cases in which symptoms persist for longer than two weeks. Acupuncture is an extremely effective treatment at any stage of Bell’s palsy, but is especially indicated in persistent cases. In these unusual cases acupuncture alone can increase muscle control and tone dramatically.

Multiple Sclerosis

Because MS damages myelin in the central nervous system, the disease interferes with messages between the body and the brain. Acupuncture can mediate the effects of this disease because it releases endorphins and peptides in the brain, which modulate sensory information between the brain and body.

In a survey conducted by the MS Clinic at the University of British Columbia, 566 patients with definite MS reported using alternative therapies, with acupuncture being the most common method used. The rest of the questionnaire focused on the reported effects of acupuncture, with respondents citing reduced pain, decreased spasticity, improved bladder and bowel dysfunction, and alleviating tingling and numbness, among others.

Peripheral Neuropathy

For some people it is experienced as the uncomfortable sensation of "pins and needles" or burning pain (especially at night) of their hands or feet. Others may suffer even more extreme symptoms such as muscle wasting, paralysis, or organ or gland dysfunction.

With more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathies in existence, each with its own characteristic set of symptoms, pattern of development, and prognosis, the symptoms can vary as much as the cause. Nevertheless, Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that can be treated with Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include:

-numbness or insensitivity to pain or temperature
-a tingling, burning, or prickling sensation
-sharp, burning pain or cramps
-extreme sensitivity to touch, even a light touch
-loss of balance and coordination
-muscle weakness
-muscle wasting
-paralysis

These symptoms are often worse at night. Many people have signs of neuropathy upon examination but have no symptoms at all.

Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that Peripheral neuropathy is due to dampness moving to the limbs, where it obstructs the flow of Qi (energy) and Blood within them. The treatment is twofold, to treat the underlying factor that is causing this dampness to accumulate and to directly facilitate the circulation of Qi and Blood in the affected area. By improving the circulation, the nerve tissues of the affected area can be nourished to repair the nerve functions and reduce pain.

Peripheral neuropathy is a symptom for many different patterns of disharmony within the body. Oriental Medicine aims to treat each individual uniquely depending on what caused the neuropathy and how it manifests.

Post Stroke Rehabilitation

Choosing the right treatment regiment for post stroke patients is a major factor in their recovery and plays a vital role in determining their quality of life after a cerebral accident. Most physicians agree that post stroke care should be delivered by experienced health care practitioners within different treatment disciplines to help improve all of the various aspects of the patient’s life.

Acupuncture can play a pivotal role in these patients rehabilitation and help to alleviate and reduce symptoms such as: hemiplegic, muscle spasticity, aphasia, dysphasia or difficulties swallowing, sudden confusion (dementia), mental processes impairment, depression and urine incontinence and retention.

Most westerns are indeed unaware that Chinese physicians were actually the first to characterize the clinical symptoms of the condition that we have now come to know as apoplexy or stroke and define its causes. In one of the first medical annals of these physicians, "The Yellow Emperor’s Internal Cannon," written over 5,000 years ago, it describes the cause of sudden falls, loss of consciousness, and hemiplegic in those persons overweight as being due to the intake of rich and fatty foods and can be directly attributed to the cutting off of ones circulation of qi (and by extension blood) between the upper and lower parts of the body (Su Wen, Tong Ping Xu Shi Lun, Chapter 28).

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PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

Right Brain Side Stroke
My husband, George, had a right hemisphere stroke in August of 2010. George was expected to be in long term care due to the severe nature of the stroke. He started coming to acupuncture several months ago. Brian, at the Parkville location, has been working with George 1 day per week. George had car sickness that is still present but is now able to take short trips without medication. George walks very slowly - a little off balance- and used a 4 quad type cane. He is now with a single cane, but is able to walk for short distances without his cane and his balance is much better. His left leg and hip region is much stronger. Although George is still receiving physical and occupational therapy weekly, I think the sessions with Brian have enhanced or aided the therapist for a faster recovery. George had very little movement in left arm when Brian started seeing him. Since then the therapists have gotten movement in thumb and arm with the help of electrical impulse, his muscles have become more relaxed with out medication and as of this writing 5/12/11 was able (at therapy) to pick up a peg using his hand and thumb to grasp. I truly believe that with the help we have received at IHC, George's recovery would not have been as successful as it has been. The therapists are amazed at his recovery. I also believe the treatments help George mentally as well as physically. George looks forward to each treatment, I believe the treatments give his brain recharged to face his difficult and challenging therapy sessions. Without acupuncture, I really believe George's recovery is due to good therapist but also greatly due to the treatments he has received from Brian and IHC. - Karen Morgan

Infant with Cerebral Palsy

Athena Mosely was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy when she was two months old. After years of therapy including: speech, occupational, physical, and water rehabilitation she was still unable to perform most daily activities.

After two months of treatments using both infantile Tuina and acupuncture three times a week she is now able to feed herself and support herself upright with minimal support and has began walking with the help of a walker.

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