I have heard it said in more than one occasion that Acupuncture is dangerous for survivors of haemorrhagic strokes – even deadly. I wasn’t too sure what to think of it but at the back of my mind that didn’t seem right. Acupuncture is a well known and broadly used complementary therapy for stroke recovery, and is even available in both public and private hospitals for that purpose together with dry needling and massage. However, I am not one to just dismiss the claim and decided to check out scholarly research on this.

For full disclosure, I must first say that I was a licensed acupuncturist before my stroke but I will try my utmost best to not include my own bias into this. As a result, I will just provide links to some studies that have been done where acupuncture was used as an adjunct treatment for stroke survivors who had a haemorrhagic stroke. Here goes:

• Wang C, You C, Ma L, Liu M, Tian M, Li N. Acupuncture for acute moderate thalamic hemorrhage: randomized controlled trial study protocol. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Feb 15;17(1):112. doi: 10.1186/s12906-017-1614-6. PMID: 28202067; PMCID: PMC5312440.

• Wang HQ, Hou M, Li H, Bao CL, Min L, Dong GR, Jiao ZH. Effects of acupuncture treatment on motor function in patients with subacute hemorrhagic stroke: A randomized controlled study. Complement Ther Med. 2020 Mar;49:102296. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102296. Epub 2020 Jan 11. PMID: 32147082.

• Wu P, Mills E, Moher D, Seely D. Acupuncture in poststroke rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Stroke. 2010 Apr;41(4):e171-9. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.109.573576. Epub 2010 Feb 18. PMID: 20167912.

• Choi TY, Ang L, Jun JH, Lee HW, Yun JM, Kim J, Moon BS, Joo MC, Lee MS. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for stroke: A protocol for overview of systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Jan 7;101(1):e28496. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000028496. PMID: 35029904; PMCID: PMC8735753.

• Du YZ, Gao XX, Wang CT, Zheng HZ, Lei Y, Wu MH, Shi XM, Ban HP, Gu WL, Meng XG, Wei MT, Hu CX. Acupuncture lowering blood pressure for secondary prevention of stroke: a study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2017 Sep 15;18(1):428. doi: 10.1186/s13063-017-2171-5. PMID: 28915826; PMCID: PMC5603044.

 
To date I have yet to find anything to suggest that acupuncture is dangerous, let alone deadly, for survivors of haemorrhagic strokes. In fact, the reverse seems to be true – that acupuncture is effective as an adjunct treatment for the treatment of post-stroke complications, be it ischaemic or haemorrhagic. Clinical trial and meta-analysis findings have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture in improving balance function, reducing spasticity, and increasing muscle strength and general well-being post-stroke.

That is probably why both the the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Malaysian Ministry of Health accepts acupuncture as an alternative and complementary strategy for stroke treatment and for improving stroke care. While the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation remain unclear, evidence based studies have almost inevitably testified to the efficacy of acupuncture.

Nevertheless if you have some peer reviewed studies that say otherwise, please do share it in the comments below. I don’t want to be sharing information based on inaccurate information and am very happy to be proven wrong here.

To find a board-certified and licensed acupuncturist in Malaysia, visit the Malaysian Chinese Medical Association or the TC&M Department of the Ministry of Health.

There is plenty of research indicating that acupuncture may help some people who’ve had a stroke, but work with your doctor to determine the best treatment plan for you, and check-in with them if a certain treatment isn’t having the desired effect. We are fortunate to have relatively easy access to complementary treatments like acupuncture in Malaysia.

Recovery can be challenging no matter what type of stroke you’ve had or how severe it was. Be open with your family and close friends about how you’re feeling so they can support you through your recovery. It might also be helpful to speak with a hypnotherapist, complementary health therapist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional. They can help you work through your feelings as you navigate your recovery.