06:02 PM PST on Tuesday, March 1, 2005

By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News

WEST SEATTLE -- A stroke doesn't have to be devastating. At Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle, patients are getting their lives jumpstarted again, thanks to a new twist on an ancient therapy.

KING

Martha Housen has been helped by acupuncture treatment following her stroke four years ago.

Electrostimulation acupuncture might be unusual in the United States but it’s standard practice in China.

“What were doing is trying to get the nerves firing for themselves and the electrical energy in the body moving so it can keep itself moving and restore its own balance,” said acupuncturist Angie Hughes of Bastyr University, who oversees the program at Providence Mount St. Vincent.

The key is early treatment, she said.

“If there's been a lot of organic damage done to the tissue, we're really limited in the success we can have, but we can always help with the pain aspects and with the circulation aspects,” she said.

Even though 76-year-old Martha Housen had a stroke four years ago, she's still getting good results.

“I noticed last week that I have sensation in my big toe on my left side," she said.

“I am very sold on acupuncture,” she added.

So is 94-year-old Margaret Gallinetti, whose stroke left her unable to speak. Now, she said, “There's nothing I can't do.”

Combining acupuncture with standard physical therapy is optimal.

"Acupuncture alone is going to help keep things moving, but if you're working with a physical therapist on strengthening exercises as well, then with the two together you're going to have a great results,” said Hughes.

Margaret and Martha are living proof.

"If you have a stroke, get to the acupuncturist now,” advised Hughes. “Don't wait.”