Lifestyle Considerations and Self-Help for Stroke

For patients who have had a stroke the single most important recommendation is to not delay in seeking acupuncture. Muscular/facial paralysis, speech problems, urine/stool issues, etc. can all be helped significantly with acupuncture. When patients seek acupuncture within the first few months after a stroke, results often come much sooner and a more systemic when compared with people who come months or years later.

For people who have not experienced a stroke but have risk factors for stroke, a more balanced lifestyle and diet is called for. As stated earlier acupuncture, diet and exercise can dramatically effect the more common risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes.

From a TCM dietary therapy perspective one should avoid foods which cause and/or contribute to Spleen Qi Deficiency/Phlegm and Liver Qi Stagnation such as fried foods, excessive meat intake and alcohol and habits such as hurried and irregular eating. Instead one should concentrate on more wholesome foods, especially those which are beneficial to the Liver from a Chinese Medicine viewpoint. These include such foods as cabbage, apples, cucumbers and watercress along with foods which clear Qi stagnation such as onions, black pepper and ginger.

According to Five Element theory, the Liver is related to the emotions of anger and frustration and the Spleen is related to worry and excessive thinking. It may be helpful, then, to look at how you express these emotions.