Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of deep needling at local glossopharyngeum in treatment of dysphagia after stroke. Methods Deep needling at local glossopharyngeum was applied in 85 patients with dysphagia after stroke. Firstly, quick prick was conducted on lingual surface（mainly at the side of paralysis lingualis）, Jīnjīn（金津 EX-HN 12） and Yùyè（玉液 EX-HN 13） under the tongue; secondly, filiform needle with the length of 75 mm was used to perform quick prick at posterior wall of pharynx at the affected side about three or four times, and then the needle was removed rapidly. Filiform needle with the length of 75 mm was inserted perpendicularly at Liánquán（廉泉 CV 23） towards root of tongue; after deqi, the needle was pushed towards root of tongue in the depth of 60–70 mm, and the needle was retained for 30 min. Meanwhile, the patient was asked to swallow, and the feeling of abnormal deglutition without pain was considered as most appropriate. During needle retention, twirling for reinforcement was applied for two times. The manipulation was conducted once daily, and six days was considered as one course of treatment. Between two courses, one day was free of treatment; and there were four courses in total. Kubota＇s drinking water test evaluation scale was applied to assess the efficacy after the treatment for two weeks and four weeks. Results The score of Kubota＇s drinking water test at the early stage of treatment was 5.08 ± 2.28, the score of evaluation of treatment with deep needling at local glossopharyngeum after treatment for two weeks was 4.56 ± 2.32, and the total effective rate was 89.4%; the score of evaluation after treatment for four weeks was 2.80 ± 2.12, and the total effective rate was 95.3%. Compare before the treatment, the score of Kubota＇s drinking water test was reduced after treatment for two and four weeks（P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. Conclusion Deep needling at local glossopharyngeum in treatment of dysphagia after stroke has good effect.
