Chinese Scalp Acupuncture for Cerebral Palsy

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"Michael, a 6-year-old with cerebral palsy, came from Amarillo, Texas, with his parents to our clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 10, 2011. His mother reported that he had never spoken an understandable English sentence and had almost no coordination in his upper or lower extremities. For example, his hands were so weak that he could not make an observable mark on paper with a pencil. He had become passive and initiated little or no communication. His low functional level had resulted in his being diagnosed with mental retardation and learned helplessness.

Multiple medical doctors, including neurologists and ear, nose, and throat specialists, evaluated Michael, and the diagnosis was stroke in utero. Michael had been receiving speech therapy and physical therapy for several years with no noticeable improvement and had been a passive participant in kindergarten for 2 years because of his inability to write, speak, or take part in physical activities.

The examination at our clinic showed no abnormal findings of his physical development or hearing. It was hard to understand him when he said his name, age, and birthday or when he counted aloud. His coordination was severely impacted. He could not point to his nose, touch his index fingers together, or kick his legs. His tongue was red with a thin white coating, and his pulses were wiry and slippery."