James Matthews: She may be 94, but Margaret Gallinetti is the one caring for others, even after she had a stroke last year.

Margaret Gallinetti: I couldn't talk at all and couldn't eat what beautiful ones.

Jennifer Matthews: The stroke made it hard for Margaret to move the right side of her mouth and left her right eyelid droopy. So she took a chance on a not-so-mainstream treatment for stroke patients, acupuncture.

Margaret Gallinetti: I thought, 'Well, let's try.'

Angie Hughes: The sooner you can get in and get acupuncture, the better the recovery potential.

Jennifer Matthews: Angie Hughes supervises an acupuncture clinic at the retirement community. She's seen the treatment work firsthand.

Angie Hughes: We're getting an increased circulation to the limbs, so therefore increased mobility, we're getting a lot of - we've seen a lot of pain relief and a lot less numbness and tingling in the affected limbs.

Jennifer Matthews: Several studies show patients do well with acupuncture, especially during the first few weeks after a stroke. Much of the findings are from China where the treatment is regularly used. Without acupuncture, Margaret says she wouldn't be able to get out and about.

Margaret Gallinetti: Probably just sit home like a lot of them do and never go anywhere.

Jennifer Matthews: While more research is needed, patients like Margaret say the only proof they need is the way they feel. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.