Stroke recovery (adjunctive care)
Also known as: stroke recovery, post-stroke rehabilitation, hemiplegia, cva recovery
Stroke recovery is the long rehabilitation after a stroke, working on movement, speech, swallowing and independence. Hospital stroke-team care and physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy are the foundation. Chinese medicine has a long tradition of adjunctive stroke rehab, framed as Wind-Phlegm blocking the channels or Qi deficiency with Blood stasis.
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •Follow the stroke team's rehab plan — physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy drive recovery.
- •Take blood pressure, blood thinner and cholesterol medicines exactly as prescribed.
- •Practise exercises daily; repetition rewires the brain.
- •Stop smoking, limit alcohol, and manage diabetes and blood pressure.
- •Look after the carer too — stroke support groups help the whole family.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Acute stroke is a medical emergency — call 000; Chinese medicine is only for the recovery phase.[,]
- •Most stroke patients take anticoagulants or antiplatelets — use gentle needling, monitor bruising, and coordinate herbs with the treating team.[,]
When to reassess or seek care again
Track function (grip, walking, speech) every 2 weeks alongside the rehab team's measures; watch for medication interactions.
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- NHS · 2024
- Stroke Foundation · 2024
- AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.