Acupuncture Treatment for Stroke
Stroke is an acute disease characterized by sudden collapse, unconsciousness, hemiplegia, slurred speech, or facial deviation. Due to its abrupt onset and rapid progression resembling “wind,” it is named stroke.
1. Syndrome Differentiation
I) Affection of Zang-Fu Organs
1. Closed Syndrome:
Main Symptoms: Sudden collapse, impaired consciousness, tightly clenched hands, locked jaw, flushed face, rapid breathing, gurgling phlegm in the throat, no urination or defecation, taut, slippery, and forceful pulse.
2. Collapse Syndrome:
Main Symptoms: Sudden collapse, impaired consciousness, eyes closed, mouth open, snoring breath, limp limbs, urinary incontinence, flaccid tongue, weak pulse. Severe cases present with cold extremities, red face like makeup, floating and large pulse.
II) Affection of Channels and Collaterals
Main Symptoms: Hemiplegia, limb numbness, facial deviation, unclear speech, accompanied by headache, dizziness, muscle twitching, red face, dry mouth, irritability, string-like and slippery pulse.
III) Treatment
1. Affection of Zang-Fu Organs
Closed Syndrome: Baihui, Shuigou, Fenglong, Taichong, Yongquan, Twelve Jing Points.
Add Xiaguan, Hegu, and Jiache if jaw is locked; add Yamen, Lianquan, and Tongli if tongue is stiff and speech is impaired.
2. Collapse Syndrome: Apply moxibustion to Ren Mai points to restore yang and rescue from collapse.
Prescription: Shenshu (salt-separated moxibustion), Qihai, Guanyuan.
2. Affection of Channels and Collaterals
Select points on yang channels and the Du Meridian to extinguish wind and regulate qi and blood. First needle the healthy side, then the affected side.
Prescription: Baihui, Tongtian, Fengfu.
Upper Limb: Jianyu, Quchi, Wai Guan, Hegu;
Lower Limb: Huantiao, Yanglingquan, Zusanli, Jie Xi;
Facial Deviation: Dicang, Jiache.
Note: This condition corresponds to modern medical conditions such as cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral embolism, cerebral thrombosis, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.