Stroke Program Highlights
Today, stroke is the nation’s third-leading cause of death, trailing only cardiac diseases and cancer. The Hauenstein Neuroscience Center at Saint Mary’s offers a full-range of services and have designed treatment protocols that emphasize speed, efficiency and the latest medical and technological innovations. From rapid response to evaluation, therapy and rehabilitation, we use a streamlined approach to ensure your optimal care.
Designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, our Stroke Program houses state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies, a fellowship trained Vascular Neurologist, an on-site Emergency department to promote rapid response and an interdisciplinary approach to medicine that emphasizes speed and efficiency.
Services
- Rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke symptoms
- Dedicated stroke beds on neuroscience unit
- Pharmacologic intervention for ischemic stroke
- Transcranial doppler
- Complementary acupuncture and massage therapy
- Stroke prevention clinic
Complementary Therapies for Stroke
In conjunction with The Wege Institute for Mind, Body and Spirit at Saint Mary’s, our stroke program actively integrates complementary therapies into patients’ overall treatment program. These therapies provide a new dimension of care for stroke patients, with healing benefits for mind, spirit and body.
Acupuncture
Numerous articles have been published demonstrating the positive effect of acupuncture on stroke patients. As soon as patients are stabilized, acupuncture is started to assist in the recovery process.
Manual therapy
As with patients suffering from spinal conditions, manual therapy techniques are used when other methods of physical therapy are painful; when patients have guarded motions; and when progress is not sustained with traditional physical therapy practices.
Massage therapy
It is commonly believed that massage can increase local blood flow, even in normal tissues.
Music therapy
Studies show that patients who have brain damage due to stroke or traumatic brain injury exhibit significant improvement with music therapy. Scientists believe it is due to a process called entrainment, which is the synchronization of movement to the rhythm of music. Consistent practice leads to gains in motor skills, efficiency, cognitive processes and language skills. Patients who experience communication and speech disorders following a stroke often retain the ability to sing.
Neurofeedback
There are indications that neurofeedback can be helpful for stroke patients based upon positive study results on patients with traumatic brain injury – most of it minor. Neurofeedback training had a favorable impact on symptoms such as loss of energy; headaches and chronic pain; dizziness and vertigo; memory impairment; difficulty concentrating; anxiety, depression, and mood swings; sleep disturbances; irritability; visual perception problems and dyslexia; and personality changes.
Read a story from one of our stroke patients.