We were so surprised to see how many complementary and alternative therapies are considered for stroke.  If you visit holistic-online.com you can read the various nutritional, herbal, homeopathic ideas to help your parent recover from a stroke, and help prevent another one.

What was most inspiring to us is the number of nutritional sources that work to prevent blot clotting:  Ginkgo biloba, garlic, ginger, tumeric, pineapple, blueberry, huckleberry. 

One of the best alternative therapies we got for mom was CranioSacral Therapy.  CranioSacral Therapy is described by the Upledger Institute as a gentle, hands-on, whole-body method of releasing restrictions around the brain and spinal cord to enhance central nervous system performance and allow the body to self-correct.  It is proven effective in aiding individuals with a wide range of medical challenges including migraines, neck and back pain, motor-coordination impairments, brain and spinal cord injuries, emotional difficulties, stress-related problems.  Our mom was suffering with stress, difficulty sleeping and a terribly stiff neck.  After her CranioSacral session, she was so relaxed and at ease that we were not sure we could get her off the massage table.  At the very least, it was an hour to be pampered and feel good when everything in her life at that time was so much more difficult.  We have read that this may not be advisable if your parent’s stroke was caused by hemorrhage, so certainly ask about this.

Let us point out a few other highlights sourced from holistic-online.com.

Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is used both to prevent and treat stroke.  It helps to prevent blood clots from developing and increases blood flow to the brain.  This herb has also been shown to inhibit free-radical formation.  Ginkgo is widely used in Europe to treat complications of stroke, including memory and balance problems, vertigo and disturbed thought processes.  Many studies show that this herb increases blood flow to the brain.

Ginkgo also helps reduce fragility of the capillaries.  (Capillaries are the tiny blood vessels that fan throughout your body.)  This can help prevent hemorrhagic stroke.  European physicians often prescribe an extract of ginkgo leaves for stroke survivors.  Many doctors say that ginkgo prevents the stroke and, more importantly, it is nontoxic.

Select a product containing at least 24 percent ginkgo heterosides (sometimes called flavoglycosides) and take 40 to 80 milligrams three times daily.  Note: Seek medical advice before taking ginkgo if you are regularly taking any type of blood-thinning medication, including aspirin.  In large amounts, ginkgo may cause diarrhea, irritability and restlessness.

Garlic
Garlic helps prevent ischemic stroke in three ways:

• It reduces blood pressure;
• It lowers cholesterol levels;
• It is an anticoagulant.

Garlic is the best anti-clotting herb.  It contains nine anticoagulant compounds.  It is a major herb for heart attack prevention because of its blood-thinning effect and its ability to help control high blood pressure.  These same effects also help prevent ischemic stroke.
Well-researched studies show that taking garlic (raw or as a deodorized oil capsule) dramatically reduces platelet adhesiveness allowing improved circulatory function.

Use more garlic in your cooking.  You can also add it in your salad.  (If you are not going for an important meeting right after that!)  You can also take garlic capsules or aged garlic (preferred).  Onions, scallions, leeks, chives, and shallots have similar benefits.

Dosage: Take 500 milligrams three times daily.  Caution: If you have hemorrhagic stroke, stay away from garlic and its other anti-clotting herbal relatives.  Ask your doctor whether you have ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

Carrot
In a Harvard study of 87,245 female nurses, consumption of carrots (and, to a lesser extent, spinach) significantly reduced stroke risk.  Women who ate five servings of carrots a week suffered 68 percent fewer strokes than those who ate carrots less than twice a month.

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene and other carotenoids, all members of the vitamin A family.  Other studies show that people can reduce their risk of stroke by as much as 54 percent if they eat lots of fruits and veggies that are rich in beta-carotene and vitamins C and E.

So, eat more carrots.  They are wonderful as snacks (especially the baby carrots).  Include them in vegetable soups.  You can also make carrot juice.  If you really want to do it right, add some garlic and ginger to provide them with zest.

Exercise/Body Work for Stroke
Research shows that physical activity helps prevent ischemic stroke (as well as heart attacks).  In one study, researchers found that people who engaged in moderate to high levels of exercise had less than half the stroke risk of people who engaged in low levels of exercise.

Evidence suggests that heavy workouts aren't necessary to get risk-reducing benefits for stroke.  Walking, riding a bike, gardening, dancing, and bowling, and working in the yard are just a few examples of activities that can produce an adequate workout.  Studies have shown that the regularity of moderate physical activity is more important in controlling stroke than the intensity of the activity.

Several body-work techniques can help restore mobility, promote circulation, and ease muscle tension and stiffness associated with stroke.  Among these are qigong, shiatsu, massage, yoga, Tai Chi, Feldenkrais, etc.  Swimming in a heated pool is particularly useful for restoring lost motor function and keeping muscles loose.

Music/Sound Therapy for Stroke
Many victims of stroke become depressed.  This makes them less willing to work at rehabilitation.  Music improves stroke rehabilitation because it has an antidepressant effect.  In a study done at Scotland, researchers studied the effect of music on 40 stroke survivors.  One group received standard care, while the other received 40 minutes of music therapy a day.  After 12 weeks, the people in the music-therapy group were less depressed, less anxious, and more motivated to participate in rehabilitation.