Stroke

A stroke is defined as a neurological deficit of sudden onset which is caused by cerebrovascular disease and persists for longer than 24 hours. The consequences of stroke can include disability and early death. Approximately 80% of first strokes are ischaemic (i.e. due to the thromboembolic or thrombotic occlusion of an intracranial artery). Primary haemorrhage (haemorrhagic stroke) and subarachnoid haemorrhage constitute 10% and 5% of strokes, respectively.

In general, acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system and would cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules. The resulting biochemical changes affect the body’s homeostatic mechanisms, thus encouraging physical and emotional well-being. There have been many physiological studies on acupuncture and stroke, mostly from China. They indicate multiple possible mechanisms by which acupuncture treatment may benefit in the management of stroke:

After the treatment of acute stroke, patients are advised of lifestyle changes that can help to avoid a further vascular events. These consist of smoking cessation, weight loss for those who are overweight, decreasing dietary salt intake, regular exercise, and avoiding excessive alcohol. They are also considered for drug therapy like antiplatelets, a statin and antihypertensives to further prevent vascular events.

中風

中風可定義為由腦血管疾病引起的突發性神經功能缺損，持續時間超過 24 小時。中風的後果可以包括殘疾和過早死亡。大概 80% 的首次中風都是屬於缺血性的（即由於顱內動脈的血栓栓塞或血栓性閉塞）。原發性出血（即出血性中風）和蛛網膜下腔出血分別佔中風的10%和5%。

一般來說，針灸被認為會刺激神經系統，並會導致神經化學信使分子的釋放。由此產生的生化變化會影響身體的穩態機制，從而促進身心健康。針灸和中風的生理學研究很多，大部分來自中國。他們指出了針灸治療可能有益於中風管理的多種可能機制。

急性中風治療後，建議患者改變生活方式，以幫助避免進一步的血管事件。這些措施包括戒菸、超重者減肥、減少攝取過多食鹽、定期鍛煉和避免過量飲酒。它們也被考慮用於藥物治療，如抗血小板、他汀類藥物和抗高血壓藥，以進一步預防血管事件。