While I was in Portland visiting a Pagan friend who was studying acupuncture, I mentioned my stroke last year, and my belief that I had recovered so quickly because of my many years of energy work, aided by my friend who was expert at Tai-chi Xigong.

She was not surprised.  Apparently in China people who have had a stroke try and see an acupuncturist within a few days of the event.  If they do, they recover very rapidly.

As she explained to me, acupuncture when approached from a Chinese perspective emphasizes making an empathic connection with the patient, and using that connection while applying the needles.  This need not amount to a lot of energy, but when combined with the acupuncture model, which is based on the existence of chi, the result is effective stimulation and rehabilitation of the nerves.

So, should you or a person close to you have a stroke, get over to an acupuncturist, but one who approaches it from an Asian rather than Western perspective.