According to the World Health Organization, 15 million people suffer stroke worldwide each year. Of these, 5 million die and another 5 million are permanently disabled.

Stroke is a debilitating condition that robs a person of normal sensation, mobility, balance, speech and the ability to care for oneself. While the conventional stroke rehabilitation program usually includes medications, physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy, recovery can be greatly enhanced with acupuncture and Chinese medicine in more ways than one.

In a review of acupuncture’s efficacy from controlled clinical trial, the World Health Organization has expressed confidence in acupuncture as an effective modality for increasing the therapeutic outcome of stroke recovery:

"…in randomized controlled studies, acupuncture treatment of hemiplegia due to cerebral infarction gave better results than conventional medication and physiotherapy. There were also beneficial effects when acupuncture was used as a complement to rehabilitation… In one study, patients with ischaemic cerebrovascular disease treated with acupuncture were compared with patients treated with conventional drugs. Nerve function, as evaluated by electroencephalographic map and somatosensory evoked potential, showed a much more marked improvement in the patients treated with acupuncture. This has been further confirmed by experimental studies."

Strokes of different types and durations can be effectively addressed with acupuncture, according to WHO:

"Comparative studies have shown acupuncture treatments to be as effective for treating hemiplegia due to cerebral haemorrhage as for that due to cerebral infarction. Since early treatment with physiotherapy is unsatisfactory, it is advisable to use acupuncture as the primary treatment. Even in hemiplegia of long duration, remarkable improvements can often be achieved. Hemiplegia due to other causes, such as brain surgery, can also be improved by acupuncture (101). Aphasia caused by acute cerebrovascular disorders can also be treated with acupuncture (102)".

Many studies involving thousands of patients have been done and published in China and Japan. Studies have also been conducted in Europe, many of which have demonstrated significant benefit. These studies revealed that patients recover faster, perform better in self-care, require less nursing and rehabilitation therapy, and lower the associated cost of health care.

Having had clinical training in the inpatient stroke ward in China where acupuncture is done on a daily basis, our registered acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner are equipped with the knowledge and experience to put together a personalized treatment plan for any stroke patient desiring a speedier recovery.