OCCURRENCES OF STROKE ON THE RISE

One hundred years ago the life expectancy of the average American was approximately 52 years of age. Due to advances in medicine and health care, human beings are living much longer to approximately 79 years of age. As a result, we are now seeing more occurrences of cerebral disorders such as stroke and Alzheimer’s. According to the World Health Organization, stroke is the second leading cause of death in most countries of the world, surpassed only by heart disease. By the year 2030, it is expected to be the leading cause of death. In the United States, each year 750,000 individuals suffer a stroke and 150,000 die from stroke. The economic, social and psychological costs of stroke are enormous. In the U.S., each ischemic stroke costs an average of $140,000, according to recent reports. With the current and predicted situation in mind, many Western health practitioners are looking East for the solutions traditional Chinese medicine can offer to help with this growing issue.

RESEARCH

The renowned First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University, founded by Dr. Shi Xue Min, known as the ‘Father of Acupuncture’, is leading the treatment and rehabilitation of stroke patients in China. As a result of nearly 40 years working with stroke patients, Dr. Shi has developed an acupuncture diagnostic and treatment system called Xing Nao Kai Qiao, which is central to the hospital’s approach to treating stroke patients. The hospital treats 10,000 stroke patients each day.

According to the China Connection Global Health Report, stroke patients receiving care at the Tianjin Hospital Program have better outcomes than patients treated with standard post-stroke care in the U.S. The report highlights that 85 percent of Tianjin patients are able to walk without assistance, compared with 51 percent of patients completing rehabilitation in the U.S. Following treatment in Tianjin, 98 percent of patients return to live in their homes instead of long term care facilities while only 68 percent of U.S. stroke patients are able to live in their own homes. Tianjin Hospital patients also see decreases in blood pressure and cholesterol which are causes of stroke, reaping secondary benefits of this approach.

Tianjin’s acupuncture treatment program has resulted in exceptional improvements for stroke patients and some are even cured from ischemic stroke disorders often considered incurable with ‘conventional’ Western medicine. These include speech dysphagia and aphasia, hemiparesis, body and facial paralysis, spasticity, comas and vegetative states.

Under the tutelage of his mentor Dr. Shi, Clayton Shiu has treated several patients exhibiting one or more of these symptoms. Clayton is the first acupuncturist to successfully master and reproduce the stroke and cerebral treatment system in New York.