Strokes change more than 795,000 lives in the United States each year.

In fact, according to the American Stroke Association, brain blockages or bleeds are one of the most common causes of disability and the fifth-leading cause of death. Starting the right rehabilitation program as soon as possible may help survivors recover better. One patient’s rehab journey might include balance, strength or mobility, while another might need speech or other therapies.

“The residual impact of a stroke can vary widely between patients in terms of deficits and severity,” said Pamela Duncan, Ph.D., F.A.H.A., American Stroke Association volunteer and professor of neurology at Wake Forest Baptist Health. “A rehabilitation program designed for you, where you need it, whether at a hospital or at home, is critical.”

For example, Jessica Alfonso was just 33 when she suffered a stroke. She credits her husband, Pablo, with saving her life – not just through the quick thinking that ensured her prompt medical care, but for being her voice as she worked to regain her ability to speak, read, walk and eat independently.

“He was with me for six weeks of inpatient rehabilitation,” Alfonso said. “Encouraging me and helping me communicate with my team while I re-learned everything. Without him, I may not have survived my stroke and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today.”

The American Stroke Association’s Together to End Stroke™ initiative, nationally sponsored by Kindred Hospital Rehabilitation Services, provides recovery tips and resources for stroke survivors and their caregivers such as:

1. Ask your doctor for an assessment of physical and cognitive challenges you face after a stroke and a specific plan to address each challenge.
2. Work with your doctor to create a plan to manage risk factors to prevent another stroke. This may include being physically active, not smoking and managing your blood pressure.
3. While recovery can occur years after a stroke, the most rapid recovery typically occurs during the first three months. As soon as your medical team gives the “all clear,” start your personalized rehabilitation program right away.
4. It is recommended by American Heart Association guidelines that patients who can tolerate and are eligible for rehab at an inpatient rehabilitation facility receive it. However, rehabilitation can happen anywhere from a formal rehabilitation facility to the comfort of your home. Ask your medical team for recommendations on the best local rehab options to maximize recovery.
5. Talk with your health care provider about any financial constraints, such as ability to pay for medications, so a plan can be developed to identify alternative community resources if needed.
6. Communicate and follow up regularly with a team of health care providers as some challenges – such as remembering medications – may not be immediately clear.

“For many survivors, your functional state prior to the stroke plays a big role in how you recover,” Duncan said. “Working with your team of loved ones and health care providers to find and stick with the best rehabilitation program for you is key.”

For more information about recovery and how to make informed decisions after a stroke, visit stroke.org/recovery.

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By Kimberly Morrison, ARNP

Did you know that 14 million Americans have tried acupuncture as a treatment technique?

Acupuncture traces its roots back more than 2,000 years ago to China but, in the last 40 years, it has found increased popularity in the United States to treat a variety of ailments. Although you may be familiar with the term ‘acupuncture,’ you may still have questions about what it is, and if it is an option for your health needs.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves stimulating points on the body by inserting thin needles that are manipulated by hand or sometimes by electrical stimulation. By stimulating specific anatomic sites, also called acupuncture points, acupuncture can promote self-healing.

In traditional Chinese medicine, diseases are caused by the disruption of energy in the body, and acupuncture is meant to help release that flow. Western medicine offers another explanation: the needles stimulate the nerves, which sends signals to the brain to release hormones to minimize pain.

Initially, acupuncture was incorporated into Western medicine as a way to reduce pain, such as back and knee pain or headaches. But recent studies suggest that acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of disorders, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder and nausea.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

The idea of needles being stuck into the skin is daunting, but acupuncture needles aren’t anything like needles that are used for immunizations or for drawing blood. Acupuncturists describe the needles as hair-thin, stainless steel and disposable. While you may feel some sensation as the needles are inserted, it’s not described as painful. Some sensations you may feel have been described as:

• Heavy—as if a weight is being placed on the area, but is perceived as calming, not oppressive.
• Achy—an initial achiness at the site of the needle, which typically dissipates in seconds.
• Electric—a quickly disappearing jolt related to the location of an acupuncture pressure point and the nerve that lies underneath it.
• Tingly—acupuncture points can cause tingling at the site and through the body.
• Warm—a pleasant feeling that spreads around the acupuncture point.

The bottom line is that while acupuncture can cause some unusual sensations, it shouldn’t hurt. If it does, let your acupuncturist know right away so the needles can be adjusted.

Does Acupuncture Work?

Is it worth getting stuck with needles to feel better? According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), numerous studies suggest acupuncture can help manage pain. While much research is being done on the effects of acupuncture on other conditions, there does not seem to be a conclusive answer. However, acupuncture is proven to be effective in pain management, as well as in managing symptoms of cancer such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, hot flashes, fatigue and mood.

According to the UC San Diego Center for Integrative Medicine, clinical studies have shown acupuncture to be effective for ailments including allergies, depression, hypertension, tennis elbow, morning sickness, malposition of the fetus and stroke. The NIH agrees that scientific research increasingly supports the use of acupuncture for treatment of conditions in addition to pain management, noting that the practice is often covered by insurance policies.

What Is Acupuncture Best For?

Acupuncture is best known to help ease pain, but the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture lists conditions the World Health Organization recommends for acupuncture, including:

• Respiratory diseases, i.e. allergies, colds, tonsillitis
• Bronchitis and asthma
• Eye disorders, such as myopia, acute conjunctivitis
• Orthopedic disorders, i.e. sciatica, rheumatoid arthritis and tennis elbow
• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as hiccups, constipation, diarrhea, gastritis and colitis
• Neurologic disorders, including migraine, facial paralysis and neurogenic bladder infection

What Risks Are Associated with Acupuncture?

When acupuncture is done correctly by a licensed practitioner, the risks are low. Acupuncture should be done in a clean environment, using clean, disposable and unbreakable needles.

According to the NIH, few complications from acupuncture have been reported but, when they are, they usually come from non-licensed acupuncturists using non-sterile needles and delivering treatments improperly. The NIH says these rare but serious adverse effects include infections, punctured organs, collapsed lungs and damage to the central nervous system.

Can I Use Acupuncture in Addition to Other Methods for Reducing Pain?

It’s important to get a clear diagnosis from your physician before considering acupuncture to make sure this is the right step for you. Ask your physician if he/she supports using acupuncture as part of an integrative treatment plan.

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(Originally published by Orlando Health; reprinted with permission.)

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Looking for similar content? You may also be interested in reading “How Color Therapy Benefits People with Disabilities.”

By Patricia A. Bobryk, MHS, PT, MSCS, ATP, Physical Therapist at Orlando Health

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide. It’s usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, and is more common in women. Because MS affects the central nervous system, it can cause a variety of symptoms such as visual, sensory, balance and cognitive issues, as well as weakness and fatigue.

Symptoms of MS can vary from person to person, as can the severity and frequency of those symptoms. Some people experience few symptoms for years, while for others the symptoms are more aggressive. While much about MS is uncertain, what is certain is that physical therapy can help those with MS treat the symptoms and improve the functional outcome of the disease.

How Physical Therapy (PT) Helps

Physical therapy, as part of a rehabilitation team that includes PT, occupational therapy and speech therapy, can help at every stage of MS.

Someone newly diagnosed and with few symptoms might assume they don’t need PT, but this is one of the most important times to get started. A qualified physical therapist can provide information on what to expect from MS and what symptoms to look for that might signal a flare up. Equally important, a physical therapist can help you get started on a good path of health and wellness that will make managing MS easier. You can still be healthy, even with the diagnosis of a chronic illness. The physical therapist can give you information about nutrition, hydration, smoking cessation and the right type of exercise program, tailored specifically for you.

As the disease advances or after a flare up, a physical therapist can address symptoms as needed. If you develop stiffness, they can recommend effective stretches. If you’re feeling fatigued, they can devise an appropriate strengthening program that builds, not saps, your energy. They will provide a home exercise program that you can use, and they can follow and tailor your treatment throughout the course of the disease.

If at some point, you need to develop functioning skills, such as learning new ways to compensate for weaknesses, your physical therapist can help. That may include strengthening your upper body or learning to use assistive devices to maintain your mobility.

What to Look for in a Physical Therapist

If you have MS, you and your physical therapist can count on having a long relationship, so it is important to find the right person.

Make sure your physical therapist has an expertise in MS, or at least in neurology. A physical therapist at an MS center is ideal because they are trained in the specific needs of someone with the disease. For example, exercise is extremely important for those with MS, however, it should be done so that you do not become overly fatigued. In addition, the exercise shouldn’t cause you to overheat because, for someone with MS, that can cause additional symptoms to develop.

The exercises should be enjoyable—otherwise you, like most of us, won’t do them. And the exercises should change and evolve to meet your ongoing needs.

Your physical therapist should use a team approach, involving occupational therapists and a speech therapist as needed to provide you with holistic support.

MS is a lifelong condition and physical therapy should be considered a lifelong approach that starts at diagnosis and helps you minimize and address your symptoms as they occur and as they change.

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Originally published by Orlando Health; reprinted with permission.