TCM therapy moxibustion effective after a stroke

TCM effective after a stroke
Moxibustion therapy is an application in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is one of the "alternative treatments" and natural remedies. Researchers have now found that this form of TCM therapy can help to alleviate symptoms of strokes.

Strokes cause permanent damage to around 90% of patients, severely limiting their quality of life. Chinese scientists have now been able to show that the recovery process of stroke patients can be significantly improved with the help of moxibustion treatment.

Moxa therapy relieves stroke episodes. Image: Monika Wisniewska - fotolia

The scientists wanted to investigate whether moxibustion, in addition to rehabilitation, can improve the recovery of stroke patients with spastic hemiplegia. They randomly divided the 84 patients into two groups. Group one received rehab measures, group 2 rehab plus moxibustion group. All participants received four units (five days / week) of Bobath therapy. The subjects of the moxibustion group were additionally treated with Moxa five times a week during this time, and at defined energy points.

Before the treatment phase, after two weeks of therapy and six months after the end of treatment, the physical status of the study participants was evaluated. It turned out that the subjects of both groups already had better readings after two weeks of treatment than before. After six weeks, this effect could be increased again. Participants in the moxibustion group achieved significantly better results compared to the rehab group. The study can be found here.