Acupuncture for Stroke Patients

Acupuncture may benefit people who have suffered a stroke, a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to your brain is suddenly cut off or when a blood vessel in your brain bursts. A type of needle-based alternative therapy long used in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture may help treat several of the disabilities that commonly occur in people who have experienced a stroke.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Stroke Patients

To date, there is a little scientific support for the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of conditions caused by stroke. For instance, a 2006 review of five trials concluded that "there is no clear evidence on the effects" of acupuncture for stroke rehabilitation. However, several small studies indicate that acupuncture may be of some benefit to stroke patients. Here's a look at their findings:

Balance Function

Acupuncture may boost balance in people who have suffered a stroke, according to a 2009 study of 30 patients. After undergoing a single acupuncture treatment, study participants showed improvements in balance function (as well as in muscle strength).

Acupuncture may help treat spastic dyskinesia (difficulty in performing voluntary movements), a common problem among stroke patients. The study involved 96 stroke patients, all of whom underwent one acupuncture session. Study results suggest that acupuncture may significantly improve spastic dyskinesia, as well as enhance daily functioning.

Acupuncture for Stroke Rehabilitation


Due to the lack of research, it's too soon to recommend acupuncture for stroke rehabilitation. If you're interested in using acupuncture to treat conditions caused by stroke, it is essential that you talk to your physician first. Keep in mind that self-treating and avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences. In using acupuncture for stroke rehabilitation, it's important to work with a qualified medical acupuncturist.