Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture and massage to improve the mobility of affected shoulder joint caused by acute cerebral infarction. Methods 120 cases of acute cerebral infarction were randomized into two groups, named treatment group with acupuncture and massage and control group with western medicine. Acupoint selection of treatment group with acupuncture and massage： Yōngquán （涌泉 KI1）, Láogōng （劳宫 PC8）, Hòuxī （后溪SI3）, Gōngsūn （公孙 SP4）, Fēngchī （风池 GB20）, Jiānyú （肩髃 LI15）, Qūchí （曲池 LI11）, Hégǔ （合谷 LI4）, Huántiào （环跳 GB30）, Zúsānlǐ （足三里 ST36）, Tàichōng （太冲 LR3）, Anterior Oblique Line of Vertex-Temporal and Posterior Oblique Line of Vertex-Temporal. Massage techniques： roll for relax, hold and press, flick and fiddle, and shake. Control group with western medicine was treated with mannitol ＋ low molecular weight dextran ＋ CDP-choline. Results Compared with control group, treatment group could apparently improve the mobility of shoulder joint and lower the injury percentage （P〈0. 01） ; and the therapeutic effect of treatment group is better than that of control group （P〈0. 05） for treating acute cerebral infarction. Conclusion The therapy of acupuncture combined with massage could improve the function of the affected shoulder joint caused by acute cerebral infarction, and enhance therapeutic effect.
