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Conditions    Nerves system    Stroke

Stroke

Overview
Stroke or cerebral vascular disease is a common condition in the elderly. The recovery from a stroke varies significantly. Some patients may recover with minimal neurological deficit, however, the majority of patients suffer persistent disabilities, including loss of function in arm or leg, speech difficulty and cognitive impairment.


Treatment options
Rehabilitation and secondary prevention are the only available options


Acupuncture
Acupuncture, especially scalp acupuncture, is proven to change the blood supply of the brain, which may help the “stressed” brain cells to regain function.


Treatment objective
The objective is to significantly improve impaired functions. Clinical trials showed improvement in gait, speech, swallowing and cognitive function. Patients may regain the independence of living.


Treatment protocol
The treatment should start as soon as possible to maximize the benefit. Improvement will be 
minimal if the stroke is over 3 years.


The course of treatment is divided into 3 parts. The initial phase is 4 weeks. Patients are treated 2 or 3 times per week. The quick recovery phase is 4-8 weeks. Patients are treated 1 or 2 times per week. The maintenance phase is 6 months. Patients are treated from weekly to monthly.


The length of each phase may vary, and patients can expect noticeable improvement within 2 weeks. It may take up to 70 treatments to achieve maximum effects.


Safety
Acupuncture is a well-tolerated safe treatment. Patients experience pain less than intra-muscular injection and blood tests. However, patients may experience acupuncture-specific sensation, De Qi, which might feel like vague tingling and lasts seconds.


The risk of bleeding is low, even in patients on antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapies, such as aspirin, clopidogrel and warfarin. Please advise us if you are taking any blood thinners.


Fee (Updated on 01/09/2020)
1st and 2nd 
treatments - $250
Further treatments - $200

Medicare rebate - $108.85


Patients are encouraged to register with Medicare for Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN). 80% rebate of the out-of-pocket fee may be claimed when the threshold is reached.

http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Factsheet-EMSN1Jan2020