Every year 750,000 Americans suffer a stroke, and the majority of those who survive are left with lingering speech, motor, and vision problems. The greatest tragedy is that, despite what conventional doctors might tell you, recovery is possible—months and even years after a stroke.
There have been great advances in recent years in the treatment of acute stroke. However, clot-busting drugs and other therapies must be administered within hours of the episode, and many patients fail to get treatment within that window of time. Stroke survivors are usually treated with drugs to prevent repeat strokes, and some undergo carotid endarterectomy to remove blockages from the arteries that deliver blood to the brain. Most patients also engage in physical, occupational, and/or speech rehabilitation. Such programs are very helpful, but after a few months, patients are told they’ve regained all the function they’re going to. In essence, they’re given up on.
Truth is, with the proper therapies, patients can make significant strides long after sustaining a stroke. A stroke occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off, usually by a blood clot. Deprived of oxygen, neurons in the affected area begin to die. But a stroke is like a bomb blast. There is a central area of irreparably injured tissues surrounded by a transitional zone of cells that are not so heavily damaged. These cells in the transitional zone exist in a kind of limbo—they’re alive but not functional.
That’s what we’re targeting in our stroke rehabilitation program. With the unique therapies offered at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, patients often have dramatic improvements in motor and cognitive function, even when a significant length of time has elapsed since the stroke. Because this approach requires repeat treatments, it is imperative that patients undergoing stroke rehab enroll in our Back to Health Program.
Our Drug-Free Approach
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy “Wakes Up” Damaged Cells
Dormant brain cells that have been damaged by stroke can be revitalized by increasing their supply of oxygen. That’s why the cornerstone of the Whitaker Wellness stroke rehabilitation program is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT involves breathing concentrated oxygen under pressure in a special hyperbaric chamber. It literally floods the brain—and the entire body—with life-sustaining oxygen. Exposure to these massive infusions of oxygen results in remarkable benefits that cannot be achieved by any other therapy.
Hyperbaric oxygen “wakes up” damaged neurons. It improves microcirculation (the flow of blood through the tiniest capillaries) and relieves brain swelling (edema). It also reduces the free radical burden, a major contributor to nerve cell death after a stroke. Furthermore, it mobilizes stem cells, which migrate to injured areas and promote healing.
In short, HBOT acts on many different fronts to protect the brain from further damage and to help it begin repairing and rebuilding. With HBOT and the other innovative therapies offered at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, patients who have suffered a recent stroke can avoid or minimize paralysis, speech difficulties, and other impairments, while those whose stroke occurred months or years previously can make significant strides toward greater function and independence.
Additional Therapies
To further facilitate brain cell recovery, we offer other therapies that improve circulation and delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. These include intravenous glutathione, a potent antioxidant with proven benefits for any type of neurological injury or degeneration. Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) and EDTA chelation also improve overall cardiovascular health.
Personalized Lifestyle Program
Patients who enroll in our Back to Health Program work with our knowledgeable physicians and professional staff to develop an individualized diet and nutritional supplementation program. Studies suggest that patients who have had a stroke are at increased risk of repeat stroke, so we place a lot of emphasis on prevention. We’ll help you reduce your blood pressure and test for sleep apnea, another significant risk factor for stroke.
With the unique therapies offered at Whitaker Wellness, recovery and restoration of function following a stroke are more than possible—they’re probable.
Articles on Stroke Rehabilitation
Click the links below to read more about the Whitaker Wellness Institute’s effective natural approach to stroke rehabilitation.
One-Stop Shop for Wellness and Stroke Rehabilitation
Renowned physician, author, and speaker, Julian Whitaker, MD, opened the doors of the Whitaker Wellness Institute in 1979. Since then, our clinic has helped more than 45,000 patients overcome serious health challenges and get back on the road to healthy living. We’re proud to offer nearly two dozen safe, innovative, healing therapies under one roof—that’s more than any other facility in the northern hemisphere. Just think of us as your “one-stop shop for wellness.”
To learn more about the Whitaker Wellness Institute’s safe, natural, and effective treatments for stroke rehabilitation, click on the buttons below to schedule a complimentary consultation or contact us to learn more. You can also schedule your complimentary consultation or obtain more information by calling our Patient Services Representatives at (866) 944-8253.
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