Where to massage for brainstem hemorrhage

Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
Updated on June 10, 2025
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Brainstem hemorrhage is a very serious condition. Once brainstem hemorrhage occurs, it can affect many vital centers, completely depending on the amount of bleeding. Even a few milliliters of bleeding in the brainstem can lead to very serious consequences, including the sudden cessation of breathing and heartbeat. Therefore, at this time, giving massages to someone with a brainstem hemorrhage is of little value, especially during the acute phase, as it is not suitable to engage them in physical activities. However, once the bleeding has stabilized and is not extensive, and if the person still has breathing and heartbeat functions, at this point, some passive limb movements can be performed. Turning the patient over can be beneficial for limb function, prevent muscle atrophy, maintain limb function, and also help prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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How to exercise balance after brainstem hemorrhage?

For patients with brainstem hemorrhage who exhibit significant limb motor dysfunction and reduced sense of balance, it is recommended to seek treatment at a well-known local tertiary hospital. Experienced rehabilitation therapists should assess the current condition and develop an individualized rehabilitation exercise plan based on the patient's condition. Gradually, they should begin exercise training, including training for limb balance capabilities. Patients who actively and effectively engage in exercise therapy often achieve good therapeutic effects, with gradual restoration of balance and strengthening of limb motor function, achieving relatively satisfactory treatment outcomes.

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Written by Shu Zhi Qiang
Neurosurgery
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Is it right to give up treatment for brainstem hemorrhage?

Brainstem hemorrhage discontinuing treatment could be appropriate in some cases. If the patient has extensive brainstem hemorrhage, particularly at the lower end of the brainstem, and has resulted in deep coma without response to any stimuli, with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of only 3, dilated pupils on both sides without any pupillary light reflex, and possibly no spontaneous breathing, the patient could be considered brain dead. According to international practice, treatment should not be pursued for patients who are brain dead, hence discontinuing treatment is appropriate for such patients. If the patient still has spontaneous breathing, then active resuscitation should be pursued, otherwise, it might be considered inhumane.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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The critical period for brainstem hemorrhage is several days.

For patients with brainstem hemorrhage, the first week after the onset is a critical period. During this time, the bleeding may gradually increase, and secondary cerebral edema may occur, leading to dysfunction of the brainstem and even respiratory and circulatory failure, which can endanger the patient's life. Therefore, for these patients, it is crucial to closely monitor any changes in their condition, transfer them to the intensive care unit, and closely monitor their vital signs. Special attention should be paid to the patient's blood pressure, respiration, heart rate, pupil reactions, consciousness, and limb activity. Dynamic follow-up head CT scans should be performed to observe any changes in the condition.

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Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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How to exercise swallowing after a brainstem hemorrhage

Patients with brainstem hemorrhage often have critical conditions. Therefore, after stabilizing their condition, their swallowing function is usually severely impaired. During swallowing training, besides the common use of medications and acupuncture treatment, professional swallowing therapists in a formal rehabilitation medicine department conduct training on swallowing functions. Before starting swallowing training, an accurate assessment of swallowing function is typically conducted first. Swallowing disorders are divided into four stages: the preparatory stage, the oral stage, the pharyngeal stage, and the esophageal stage. In the preparatory stage, coordinating the consistency of the food can aid the patient's swallowing. Proper stimulation of the oral and pharyngeal muscles, including stimulation of the tongue and pharyngeal wall muscles, cold therapy, tongue pressure training, and training of the muscles around the mouth, are used to help restore swallowing function. During the esophageal stage, when the patient's condition has stabilized, videofluoroscopic swallow study can be carried out to assess specific issues in the esophageal stage, which are often related to cricopharyngeal dysfunction. Esophageal dilation with a balloon may also be used. With these accurate assessments and appropriate training, the swallowing function of patients generally shows significant improvement. Therefore, when patients experience these swallowing dysfunctions, it is best to seek treatment from a formal rehabilitation medicine department for better care.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to rescue brainstem hemorrhage?

Brainstem hemorrhage is an extremely dangerous disease. Patients typically have a long history of hypertension, and their blood pressure is not particularly well-controlled. The onset of the condition is sudden, and if the bleeding is extensive, it can quickly lead to unconsciousness and even respiratory and cardiac failure, resulting in death. It is crucial to rush the patient to the nearest hospital for emergency treatment to avoid aggravating the brainstem hemorrhage due to bumps during a long transport. Generally, the patient should be kept in a supine position, and if they are still conscious, it is vital to keep their emotions stable. Additionally, it is necessary to ensure the airway remains clear. If respiratory failure occurs, ventilation can be provided. Medications that reduce intracranial pressure can be administered to alleviate brainstem edema. Furthermore, respiratory stimulant drugs can be given to ensure breathing. Overall, the mortality rate for brainstem hemorrhages is exceedingly high, with a lack of particularly effective emergency measures.