Stroke in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different stroke patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die within minutes. This medical emergency can manifest in symptoms such as sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, confusion, trouble speaking, vision problems, difficulty walking, and severe headache. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, caused by bleeding. Stroke is also known as a brain attack or cerebrovascular insult and can lead to long-term disabilities like poststroke hemiplegia or transient ischemic attacks.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views stroke not merely as a failure of cerebral circulation but as a disturbance in the body's dynamic balance of Yin and Yang energies. In TCM, stroke is associated with internal Wind, Phlegm obstruction, and Stagnation of Qi and Blood. Identifying the specific disharmony pattern is vital because TCM treatments aim to address these underlying imbalances, thereby not only treating the symptoms but also preventing recurrence. Each treatment is tailored to the patient's unique pattern of disharmony, emphasizing a holistic approach to recovery.
TCM Patterns for Stroke
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause stroke
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Diagnostic signs
Full (Shi)
Recommended herbal formulas
Yang Excess
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Stroke
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address stroke