The diagnosis and treatment characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion for urinary retention after stroke by analyzing pertinent literature was explored. The research method was searching the literature related to urinary retention after stroke treated by acupuncture and moxibustion in CNKI、VIP、CBM、PUBMED and then summarizing the discriminate characteristics, acupoint selection method, treatment frequency, treatment observation term, treatment effect, follow-up study, safety. The results showed acupoints were selected by differentiation of disease: acupoints around the bladder or on the limbs belonged to meridians going through hypogastrium were used. The main acupoints chosen in the frequency order were: Guanyuan, Sanyinjiao, Zhongji, Qihai, Yinlingquan, Shuidao, Baihui, Baliao, Shenshu, Pangguangshu. Acupuncture and moxibustion were the common intervene method with a frequency of 1-2 times a day. In general, treatment times were less than 30 and observation period was usually shorter than 1 month. Acupuncture and moxibustion could treat urinary retention after stroke effectively.