Acupuncture works in line with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a medical system based on the principle of restoring a balanced flow of energy, or "qi," throughout the body. Acupuncturists use slender needles to apply pressure to specific points, thereby working through energy blockages, which manifest as disease, according to TCM. While acupuncture is used for a range of conditions and diseases, one common effect is improved blood circulation. If you have poor circulation, consult with your primary medical provider about potential remedies, whether from acupuncture or western treatments.
Treatment through Acupuncture
During a session, an acupuncturist will consult you on the nature of your illness and then select specific points that correlate to your particular complaint. Depending on the severity of the condition, you may need to return for multiple treatments. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a simple issue, like a wrist sprain, may require just one treatment. Healing a chronic illness, on the other hand, may require months of treatments. For a better idea of what you can expect from an acupuncture treatment, meet with your usual medical provider to get a better idea of what your symptoms mean.
General Effects on Circulation
Depending on which points an acupuncturist uses, the effects of treatment vary widely. For example, a patient suffering from constipation will receive a very different outcome than a patient with complaints of diarrhea. However, acupuncture typically results in improved blood circulation, regardless of the particular reason for requesting treatment. Other common effects include an elevated body temperature, change in white blood cell activity, lowered cholesterol and normalized levels of blood sugar and triglycerides. According to research at Osaka City University Medical School in 2007, acupuncture significantly increased local blood circulation while raising nitric oxide synthase, useful for pain relief.
Specific Circulation Diseases
Circulation may indicate one of many possible underlying problems. Peripheral arterial disease is a common cause of poor circulation. According to a study carried out at the Human College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture reduced the intensity and scope of circulation problems among patients with various cardiovascular diseases, including peripheral arterial disease. A study carried out at Shanghai Medical University demonstrated a 90 percent improvement in patients with peripheral arterial disease after three weeks of acupuncture treatment.
Additional Considerations
In the United States, qualifications for practicing acupuncture are awarded on a state-by-state basis. Ask your doctor for a referral or find a local practioner through a national acupuncture organization. If you are more comfortable with a western scientific framework, some acupuncturists are also medical doctors, dentists or other conventional medical practitioners. Check with your insurance company before you begin treatment. Some, but not all, provide coverage for complementary and alternative treatments, especially when used to relieve the symptoms of medically diagnosed chronic conditions.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Acupuncture
- Anesthesia and Analgesia; Acupuncture enhances generation of nitric oxide and Increases Local Circulation; M. Tsuchiya, et al.; February 2007
- Internet Health Library: Peripheral Arterial Disease
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture: An Introduction
- "Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine;" Metrological Analysis for Efficacy of Acupuncture on Angina Pectoris; Zhou XQ, et al.; April 1993
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