Paresis

Paresis refers to partial or complete paralysis of a body part, caused by damage to nerves or muscles. Paresis often occurs after a stroke, when the blood supply to specific areas of the brain is interrupted, leading to damage of nerve cells. The affected body regions may experience muscle weakness, coordination problems, or even complete paralysis. Accompanying symptoms such as pain, cramps, or numbness are also common.

Paresis can occur suddenly and is frequently the result of diseases or injuries affecting the nervous system, such as strokes, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, or other neurological conditions. The symptoms of paresis vary depending on the severity and the area of the body affected. Those affected may experience muscle weakness, restricted mobility, or coordination difficulties. In more severe cases, complete paralysis of the affected body part can occur, significantly impacting the patient’s quality of life.

The communication between the brain and muscles happens through nerves. To better understand paresis, one must understand how the brain and muscles interact. Each side of the brain controls movement on the opposite side of the body. Specific parts of the brain, such as the primary motor cortex, send complex signals to the muscles to enable movement on command. When these areas are damaged—such as in the case of a stroke—these signals are disrupted. As a result, the muscles may be unable to respond to commands from the brain.

If the damage is mild, brain signals may still reach the muscles, but they are weaker. For instance, a patient may have difficulty moving their arm, but still be able to do so to some extent—this is called hemiparesis. In the case of a severe stroke, nerve connections may be completely severed, resulting in muscle paralysis. This can manifest as hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body), paraplegia (paralysis of the lower body), or tetraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs).

Fortunately, the brain has an incredible ability to repair these connections, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s capacity to rewire itself by forming new neural connections in response to specific stimuli. This allows the brain to reassign functions to other areas when needed.

When the damage is milder, acupuncture can be very helpful in further activating weakened nerve signals from the brain to the muscles. In the case of a severe stroke, where nerve transmission is severely reduced or completely blocked, treatment focuses on improving quality of life and relieving pain through a combination of mental support, acupuncture, and rehabilitation therapy.

At our clinic, treatment is based on a holistic perspective (整体观念) and the principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment (辨证论治). Based on each patient’s constitution and their Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis, we primarily treat paresis with Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture, tailored individually to each patient’s symptoms. We combine this with Tuina massage, Qi Gong, and cupping therapy, focusing on enhancing quality of life and relieving pain. At the same time, we monitor the patient’s physical and psychological progress through regular follow-ups.

For patients with psychological symptoms, we focus on reducing the side effects of medications, such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, and dry mouth. In some cases, comprehensive care, including psychiatric counseling, may be necessary.

We would be happy to advise you on your individual symptoms and the possible therapies.