Stroke occurs when there is a damage to the brain from interruption of its blood supply. More than 100 thousand cases per year occur in Nigeria. Two major types exist. One is due to a blockage in blood supply and the other is due to a rupture in a blood vessel.
Symptoms often depend on the part of the brain affected and include trouble walking, speaking and understanding, as well as paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg.

Acupuncture helps in the treatment of stroke by stimulating the peripheral nerves on the arms, legs, face or any other part of the body affected by the stroke. This stimulation helps send a signal to the brain to re-establish a connection to the affected part and aid its recovery.

In China, after Emergency care following a stroke, patients are often sent for acupuncture as early as possible, with physiotherapy and rehabilitation. The earlier these interventions are commenced, the better the outcome will be. Treatment is usually twice daily for the first two weeks while the patient is still on admission, and then daily for the next one month on out patient basis following discharge. Treatment course can be as long as three months or more depending on the severity and rate of response to treatment and recovery.