35 - Lei's Acupuncture in Winter Garden

I always wondered if acupuncture would yield any results or not. I did a lot of research and found that I needed a very specific form of acupuncture. Luckily for me there is a provider close by at https://leisacupuncture.com/

ChatGPT had this to say:

I'd start with Lei's Acupuncture because it's close to you and has the strongest stated emphasis on post-stroke neurological recovery. I'd commit to 8–12 sessions over about 4–6 weeks, then evaluate whether you're seeing meaningful improvements in:

• Shoulder range of motion

• Hand opening and closing

• Foot flexibility and walking

• Muscle tightness (spasticity)

• Ease of daily activities

So I had my first session today 8/9/26. Dr. Lei Dong knows his stuff. He is using Electroacupuncture as part of his post-stroke improvement program, and if this session is any indication, I'm going to drastically lower my spasticity/hemiparesis. I didn't realize how screwed up my muscles were until I started treatment.

I had my second session today 8/11/26, and Dr. Lei Dong added a little Scalp Acupuncture as well. Still headed in the right direction. One additional benefit is that it appears that it also affects my blood sugar and will keep an eye on that as well.

I had my third session today 8/16/26, Dr. Lei is moving to 1 session per week. Still headed in the right direction. Also found out more about the diabetes. Today Dr. Lei is doing scalp acupuncture and we'll see how that works out.

Had my fourth session today 8/23/26, still headed in the right direction. One interesting fact came up during treatment. Dr. Lei is doing something that is only 5 years old. Before he came up with his method, he would treat a post stroke patient with only scalp acupuncture and it would last about 3 months. Whatever he is doing is working on me and I am grateful.

Had my fifth session today 8/30/26 and Dr. Lei stuck a ton of wires over a ton a needles and each week we continue to see meaningful progress.

Had my sixth session today 9/6/26 and continue to make progress. Today Dr. Lei spoke of a spot on my scalp known as the "Super Chi". DU20 is known as the "Meeting Point of All Yang". It is considered the place where all of the Yang energy of the body gathers. In Chinese medicine, stimulating this point is believed to mobilize and elevate the body's Yang energy. Dr. Lei has a theory that movement raises your Yang, and when Yang rises, everything rises with it. While I am not a Chinese Medicine professional, I can say that whatever he is doing seems to work, and I am extremely grateful. The reason Dr. Lei uses it is that it addresses hemiplegia.

Here is a diagram:

I also learned about pulling the needles when done. In acupuncture, pulling or withdrawing a needle slowly over a counted duration—such as a 10-count—is part of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) manipulation protocol known as a reducing technique (also called Xie or sedating technique)

.When paired with electroacupuncture, this slow withdrawal method is specifically referred to as gradual needle withdrawal or a slow extraction technique.

Here is how this process breaks down conceptually:

The Core Technique (Reduction): According to classic TCM needle manipulation rules, removing a needle slowly while leaving the acupuncture hole open is a reducing method used to drain excess energy (Qi), clear heat, or alleviate acute pain/stagnation. Conversely, pulling a needle out quickly and immediately closing the hole is a reinforcing (Bu) method.

The "10-Count" Purpose:

Counting out loud or mentally to 10 while withdrawing the needle ensures that the extraction is perfectly controlled, deliberate, and uniformly gradual. This prevents sudden muscle spasms or a "sharp pull" sensation, especially since electroacupuncture heavily stimulates the local nerve and muscle fibers.

Electroacupuncture Integration:

Before this gradual withdrawal takes place, the electroacupuncture machine is turned down completely to zero and disconnected. The lingering micro-current effects leave the tissue highly sensitive, which is why a slow 10-count extraction is often favored by practitioners to ensure patient comfort and maintain the sedating/relaxing effect on the nervous system.

Also from Acupuncture for Brain by Tiajun Wang I learned another interesting fact:

Chapter 7 - Stroke

7.1 General Information

Acupuncture has been used in stroke and particularly on post stroke rehabilitation in China for over 3,000 years, and still widely used as part of the treatment for post stroke patients in almost all the hospitals in China. However, it is not part of the conventional treatment in most western countries.

Had my seventh session today 9/13/26 and Dr. Lei continues to impress me. Today we focused on both sides to ensure I am getting tension relief on the left and healing on my right. He used a lot of needles and I definately feel it today. We're going two weeks between session because I'll be out of town for my 45th High School reunion so I'll report on how my I'm doing on 9/27/26.

Here is a great post from "Acupuncture, an effective treatment for post-stroke neurologic dysfunction" from September 2024:

1. Introduction

Stroke, resulting from cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, leads to ischemic necrosis or softening and subsequent neurological dysfunction. It is the most prevalent form of cerebrovascular disease globally, accounting for approximately 87 % of all cerebrovascular incidents. Stroke is marked by high rates of morbidity, recurrence, disability, and mortality, contributing to a generally poor prognosis. As a leading cause of neurological impairment and death among the elderly, stroke demands global attention(Hankey, 2017; Wang et al., 2020). The condition not only causes irreversible neuronal damage but also triggers a cascade of pathological events, including energy depletion, excessive glutamate (Glu) release, free radical production, inflammation, and ultimately widespread excitotoxic cell death. This chain of events severely disrupts neuronal network function(Durukan and Tatlisumak, 2007). Following neurological damage, 50–70 % of stroke survivors experience sequelae such as hemiparesis, spasticity, dysphagia, sensory dysfunction, cognitive deficits, hemianopsia, and aphasia, significantly impacting their physical and emotional well-being(Coleman et al., 2017; Hankey, 2017). Consequently, there is a growing focus on identifying effective treatments to ameliorate neurological dysfunction, although current therapeutic options remain limited.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapeutic technique that entails the insertion of needles into the skin or deep tissues at specific anatomical locations, known as acupoints, to restore homeostasis and prevent and treat disease. It may involve various acupuncture methods or enhanced stimulation via electrical currents, such as motion-style acupuncture or electroacupuncture (Hesketh and Zhu, 1997). Acupuncture has gained widespread use as an effective, low-cost treatment for post-stroke rehabilitation with minimal adverse effects. Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that acupuncture ameliorates post-stroke neurological dysfunction through multiple mechanisms. For instance, acupuncture activates endogenous recovery processes and induces ischemic tolerance responses(Hermann and Chopp, 2012), alongside exhibiting anti-inflammatory(Xu et al., 2021), antioxidant(Wang et al., 2019), and anti-apoptotic properties(Sun et al., 2020). Additionally, it has been shown to significantly promote neurological recovery by enhancing vascular(Wu et al., 2021) and nerve regeneration(Deng et al., 2016) and stimulating the release of neurotrophic factors that offer neuroprotection(Zheng et al., 2020). In the context of post-stroke rehabilitation, acupuncture has demonstrated efficacy in improving hemiparesis(Zheng et al., 2020), spasticity(Lim et al., 2015), dysphagia(Cui et al., 2020), neuralgia(Xu et al., 2020), and cognitive dysfunction(Zheng et al., 2020), Moreover, it has been beneficial in regulating mental and psychological conditions(Hung et al., 2019), with numerous stroke patients exhibiting marked neurological improvement following treatment (Sharififar et al., 2018).

2.1.2. Basic research of acupuncture in post-stroke hemiparesis

2.1.2.1. Acupuncture promotes neural circuit remodeling through CST repair

The corticospinal tract (CST) is the principal motor conduction pathway originating from the cerebral cortex, intricately linked either directly or indirectly to spinal cord motor neurons. It serves as a pivotal conduit for neural communication between the brain and the spinal cord, orchestrating the body's voluntary movements. The extent to which an infarct impinges on the CST is intimately associated with a patient's motor function and subsequent recuperative prospects. Research has demonstrated that patients whose CST is minimally involved in or merely adjacent to the infarct zone exhibit comparatively milder clinical manifestations and a more favourable recovery trajectory(Doughty et al., 2016). Conversely, patients with a substantial portion or the entirety of the CST traversing the infarct zone endure more severe motor impairments and face a grimmer prognosis(Kunimatsu et al., 2003). Fostering neuroplasticity within the impaired CST and its regulatory mechanisms might represent a novel therapeutic avenue for addressing post-stroke motor deficits. In this context, Zhang's establishment of a rat model of MCAO is particularly enlightening. This model elucidated that a higher modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS) – indicative of more profound neurological impairment, including motor dysfunction – was significantly prevalent in the model group. Post-TTC staining revealed conspicuous infarct foci. Intriguingly, the application of electroacupuncture on the "ST36" and "PC6" acupoints led to a notable reduction in both the mNSS and infarct volume compared to the model group. This finding underscores the potential of electroacupuncture treatment in mitigating motor function impairment following a stroke(Zhang et al., 2022).

Moreover, electroacupuncture therapy has been shown to enhance the expression of neuroplasticity-associated proteins, specifically GAP-43 and SYN, in the cerebral cortex. This enhancement promotes axonal sprouting from the CST at cervical levels C1-C4, thus facilitating both cortical neuroplasticity and the regenerative activation of CST axons(Zhang et al., 2022). (Fig. 2) These processes are critical in mitigating motor dysfunction following a stroke. Beyond CST remodelling, acupuncture substantially contributes to neural repair. The fractional anisotropy (FA) metric, derived from MRI, serves as an indicator of nerve fibre density and functionality. Research by Zhao et al. demonstrated that combining scalp acupuncture with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation significantly increases the FA value in the CST after a stroke(Zhao et al., 2018). This intervention not only promotes CST repair in hemiplegic patients but also improves their neurological and motor functions, as well as their daily living capabilities. Neurotrophic factors, essential for the survival, differentiation, and regeneration of nerve cells post-injury(Markosyan et al., 2020), include pivotal elements such as Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)(Li et al., 2017), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) (Park et al., 2020), Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) (Jin et al., 2015), and Glial cell line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) (Zhang et al., 2019). Remarkably, electroacupuncture treatment at the "GB30" point has been demonstrated to increase BDNF expression in motor neurons on the paralyzed side in rats with unilateral CST injury. This elevation in BDNF correlates with compensatory axonal growth, functional recovery of the impaired limb, and changes in the pattern of BDNF expression. This suggests that electroacupuncture augments CNS plasticity through BDNF upregulation, enabling contralateral axons to sprout across the median line and form new neural connections with the paralyzed side. Such mechanisms effectively reconstruct neural circuits and restore function in the affected limb(Zhu et al., 2022).

2.2. Post-stroke spasticity (PSS)

2.2.1. Clinical studies of acupuncture in PSS

PSS is one of the major complications after stroke, which can lead to debilitating symptoms such as pain, compromised posture, mobility challenges, limited range of motion, and hygiene issues(Huang et al., 2023). In clinical settings, the management of PSS encompasses a spectrum of interventions ranging from nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic strategies to invasive neurosurgical procedures(Winstein et al., 2016). Most clinical guidelines advocate for nonpharmacological interventions, such as stretching and splinting, particularly for mild manifestations of PSS(Rodgers et al., 2021). Botulinum toxin-A injections are commonly employed for moderate to severe cases. However, the efficacy of these injections is temporally limited to 2–3 months and is accompanied by constraints, including high costs and potential systemic side effects like muscle flaccidity, lethargy, and cognitive impairments(Lindsay et al., 2014). Acupuncture, a component of TCM, presents itself as a novel alternative therapeutic modality. Clinical studies have demonstrated its efficacy in enhancing muscle strength(Yan and Hui-Chan, 2009) and mitigating spasticity(Zhao et al., 2009), thereby significantly improving motor function in post-stroke patients. In an RCT, 60 patients suffering from post-stroke lower limb spasticity were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a combination of electroacupuncture and biofeedback, a standalone biofeedback group, and a rehabilitation therapy group. Over a six-week treatment period, patients exhibited notable improvements in lower limb functionality, as quantified by FMA scores and muscle strength ratings of the affected anterior tibialis muscles. All three groups, including the electroacupuncture with biofeedback, standalone biofeedback, and rehabilitation therapy groups, showed increased FMA scores and muscle strength, coupled with decreased clinical spasticity index (CSI) scores post-treatment. Notably, the improvements in the electroacupuncture + biofeedback and biofeedback groups surpassed those observed in the rehabilitation therapy group. In terms of functional mobility, enhancements in step frequency and speed were noted across all groups. Additionally, the maximum dorsiflexion and plantarflexion angles of the affected ankle joints improved post-treatment, with the electroacupuncture + biofeedback group exhibiting the most significant therapeutic impact(Huang et al., 2022). These findings underscore acupuncture's efficacy in ameliorating both lower and upper limb spasticity. Further corroborating the effectiveness of acupuncture, another study involving 66 PSS patients compared the outcomes of a rehabilitation therapy group and a combination group receiving both rehabilitation therapy and acupuncture. After a 4-week intervention, both groups showed positive effects on PSS, as evidenced by reduced Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) scores, decreased Glu levels, and increased FMA scores, BI scores, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels. However, the combined therapy group demonstrated superior results in the between-group comparison(Zhang et al., 2023). Additional research, such as the study by Qi et al., highlights the impact of treatment sequencing or combination. After six months, significant improvements in muscle hypertonicity and motor function were observed across all treatment groups, including rehabilitation alone, scalp acupuncture with rehabilitation, and head acupuncture groups; the group receiving scalp acupuncture in conjunction with rehabilitation therapy showed the most pronounced efficacy(Qi et al., 2018).

2.2.2. Basic research of acupuncture in PSS

2.2.2.1. Acupuncture maintains homeostasis by modulating neurotransmitter expression

The pivotal role of neurotransmitters in modulating stroke-induced neurogenesis has been comprehensively delineated in contemporary research(Fricker et al., 2018; Kasaragod et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2022). This equilibrium at both cellular and neural network levels is quintessential for the brain's effective processing of information, subsequently orchestrating cognitive and behavioural functions. (Zhou and Yu, 2018). Among these neurotransmitters, the excitatory neurotransmitters - Glu and the inhibitory neurotransmitters - GABA are particularly noteworthy for their integral roles in modulating brain behavioural functions, influencing a spectrum of motor skills ranging from basic locomotion to intricate tasks such as writing. Their significance has been increasingly recognized in stroke research(Liu et al., 2023; Manto et al., 2012; Paparella et al., 2023). Recent studies have elucidated that, in the context of a stroke, interventions such as acupuncture can catalyze the release of GABA while concurrently mitigating the neurotoxicity of Glu. This dual action effectively curtails neuronal cell death and ameliorates neurological dysfunctions(Zhang et al., 2011). In MCAO rats, acupuncture notably decreased the neurological deficit score (Zea Longa score) and muscle tone in the affected limbs. The potential mechanism underlying this effect involves a reduction in type I muscle fibres in the spastic muscles and alterations in neurotransmitters in the brainstem, including GABA, GABA_Aγ2, and GABA_A receptors(Sun et al., 2022). A seminal study by Liu demonstrated that acupuncture treatment, specifically at the "GV26" acupoint, can preserve neurotransmitter homeostasis post-stroke. This intervention notably diminished the excessive release of Glu in the cerebrospinal fluid compared to control models while sustaining the endogenous inhibitory prowess of GABA, thereby imparting a neuroprotective shield against stroke-induced injuries(Liu et al., 2019). Another study highlighted that targeting the "DU14," "BL26," and "RN12" acupoints in MCAO rats resulted in a marked decrease in Glu expression in the brainstem, coupled with an upregulation of GABA expression (Fig. 2). This intervention notably ameliorated the spasticity in stroke-affected limbs by improving muscle tone, underscoring the therapeutic potential of neurotransmitter modulation in stroke recovery(Liu et al., 2014).

4.2. HSP

HSP predominantly manifests on the side of the body impacted by the stroke. The research identified two principal mechanisms that contribute to the development of HSP: frozen shoulder and shoulder subluxation. A frozen shoulder, characterized by restricted shoulder motion often secondary to PSS, leads to stiffness and pain during movement. Shoulder subluxation, often resulting from muscle flaccidity or reduced muscle tone on the lateral aspect of the shoulder, causes the muscles supporting the joint to weaken. This weakening hinders the ability to maintain the humeral head within the glenoid fossa of the shoulder socket(Razaq et al., 2016). While oral analgesics remain the primary treatment modality for HSP, their long-term usage is marred by various side effects, including gastrointestinal reactions, bleeding, and potential addiction. In contrast, acupuncture, traditionally considered a second-line treatment, has garnered attention in numerous clinical studies for its substantial pain-relieving effects, particularly in managing post-stroke shoulder subluxation and lateralized shoulder pain(Lin et al., 2022; Noor et al., 2022). The proposed mechanisms of acupuncture’s efficacy encompass the amelioration of shoulder adhesions, enhancement of muscle strength, and reduction of shoulder tension, thereby alleviating HSP(Chen et al., 2000; Li et al., 2012). An RCT involving 34 HSP patients assessed the impact of electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture. After a two-week treatment regimen, both groups exhibited significant reductions in pain intensity, as measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). However, the electroacupuncture group demonstrated superior efficacy in pain alleviation. Musculoskeletal ultrasound evaluations indicated notable reductions in shoulder subluxation indices in both groups, including measurements of the acromiohumeral distance (AHD), acromion-greater tuberosity (AGT), and acromion-lesser tuberosity (ALT)(Fig. 4). Despite these improvements, no significant difference was observed between the electroacupuncture and sham electroacupuncture groups(Sui et al., 2021). These findings echo previous research underscoring acupuncture’s beneficial role in HSP management, including improvements in pain thresholds and shoulder function(Itoh et al., 2014). A recent study further reinforced these outcomes, illustrating the electroacupuncture group’s superiority over the electrical interferential current stimulation (IFC) group in terms of pain intensity reduction and some improvement in shoulder mobility(Eslamian et al., 2020). Collectively, these studies highlight acupuncture’s potential as a viable and effective alternative for HSP treatment, offering a promising avenue for patients seeking relief from this debilitating post-stroke condition.

These points are part of what Dr. Lei is doing.