Benefits of Acupuncture For Circulation

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Many people experience poor circulation from time to time, our culture of sitting in front of a computer for hours and hours a day, results in unpleasant tingling sensations accompanied by puffy ankles, swollen feet, and cold extremities. Luckily for most people, this is temporary and solved by standing up, moving around,  stretching back and legs,  wiggling fingers, toes and rolling ankles. However, for others, poor blood circulation can be a sign of chronic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, blood clots, Raynaud’s disease, kidney problems, and congestive heart failure. Poor circulation can contribute to weight, high blood sugar, pelvic floor issues, digestive upset, fatigue, and inflammation.

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) based on the principles of Yin and Yang and the free flow of life force known as Qi - the body’s vital energy. Both Qi and blood are interconnected, Qi generates the blood and the blood nourishes the Qi. When the Qi flow is blocked or disrupted, poor circulation can happen. This is where acupuncture can play a significant role in supporting and improving blood circulation. Acupuncture has been used as a powerful therapy for increasing circulation, moving blood through the body’s network, and delivering oxygen to tissues and cells while removing waste products in the process.

Acupuncture offers a natural, holistic approach to improve circulation, reduce chronic inflammation, improve blood viscosity, and help relieve pain.

Signs of poor circulation

If you're experiencing any of the below symptoms consistently, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional.

  • Tingling sensations

  • Numbness

  • Throbbing or stinging pain, particularly in your limbs

  • Unexplained pain in various parts of your body

  • Muscle cramps, especially in your legs

It's important to note that different conditions causing poor circulation may present unique symptoms. For instance, individuals with peripheral artery disease might experience erectile dysfunction alongside the typical signs of pain, numbness, and tingling.

Other less common but equally important signs to watch for include:

  • Cold hands and feet

  • Skin discoloration, particularly in the extremities

  • Slow healing of wounds or infections

  • Fatigue or lack of energy

  • Digestive issues

  • Memory problems or difficulty concentrating

Causes of poor circulation

Circulation is more than blood moving to tissue and organs, it is the movement of the lymphatic system. Poor circulation can stem from various conditions, each affecting blood flow.

Sedentary lifestyle: too much sitting for prolonged periods of time cuts off blood flow and lymphatic flow to the organs and the lower limbs. Lack of exercise is linked to poor mental health, poor digestion, diabetes, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome.

Lymphatic congestion: the lymphatic system is responsible for draining lymph fluid that leaks from the blood vessels and helps to remove metabolic waste from the tissue. Lymphatic flow is part of the immune system. Infections, inflammation, medications, and injury to the lymph nodes can interfere with healthy circulation.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): PAD is a progressive disorder characterized by narrowing or blockage of blood vessels outside the heart, particularly in the legs and feet. This reduced blood flow can lead to numbness, tingling, and tissue damage if left untreated. Severe cases may increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.

Blood Clots: Clots forming in veins or arteries can significantly impair circulation. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a clot in a major vein, can cause pain and swelling. If a clot travels to the lungs, it can result in a dangerous pulmonary embolism.

Varicose Veins: These enlarged, inflamed veins, often caused by valve failure, can hinder circulation and lead to swelling, itching, and aching in affected limbs.

Diabetes: Beyond affecting blood sugar, diabetes can cause poor circulation, especially in the legs and feet. This can lead to cramping and reduced sensation in extremities due to diabetic neuropathy.

Obesity: Excess weight can contribute to poor circulation, potentially leading to blood clots and other cardiovascular issues.

Raynaud's Disease: This condition causes extremities like fingers and toes to feel numb and cold in response to stress or cold temperatures, due to the narrowing of small arteries supplying blood to the skin.

At Integrative Healing Arts, we recognize that poor circulation often has multiple contributing factors. Our approach to treatment considers these various causes, aiming to improve overall circulatory health through acupuncture and complementary therapies.

Acupuncture increases blood flow 

Inserting thin needles at specific acupoints along blocked or disrupted areas can restore the balance and flow of Qi, stimulating the release of stagnated energy.

Acupuncture has also been shown to increase the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that plays a crucial role in vascular health. Nitric oxide helps relax and dilate constricted blood vessels, enhancing blood flow and reducing the tendency of blood to clot. Incorporating acupuncture into your healing journey can also lead to improved blood viscosity by ensuring that blood flows more smoothly and efficiently through the circulatory system.

At Integrative Healing Arts, we use acupuncture to directly target specific areas of the body to increase blood flow. In particular, the insertion of acupuncture needles at the ST-36 point (anterior area of the leg) can also help reduce blood pressure, boost energy levels, and promote good vascular health. In a study, patients who had high ambulatory blood pressure found that following acupuncture their blood pressure reduced.

Acupuncture can reduce inflammation 

Improving circulation is important to allow the body to reduce inflammation naturally. Studies show acupuncture can alleviate inflammation by stimulating the body's natural anti-inflammatory compounds and pathways.

When acupuncture needles are inserted into the skin, it causes tiny tears in the muscle tissue triggering the release of proteins and opioids that have potent anti-inflammatory effects. The body recognizes this microscopic trauma immediately, sending a flood of oxygen and blood to the poor circulated site.

Acupuncture may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which can negatively impact blood viscosity. By lowering inflammatory markers and oxidative stress levels, acupuncture can contribute to a healthier vascular environment and improve circulation.

Acupuncture regulates the nervous system

Acupuncture can help boost the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions like heart rate and blood flow. Targeting acupuncture points balances the fight-or-flight (sympathetic) and rest-and-digest (parasympathetic) systems in the body.

Studies also show that acupuncture can stimulate the nervous system by releasing endorphins, regulate neurotransmitters, and awaken specific nerve pathways that increase circulation.

Acupuncture helps with pain management

People with circulation issues suffer from muscle cramping, throbbing in the arms and legs, and lack of feeling and pain in their feet. This can make walking not only painful but also unbalanced.  Improved circulation to the local tissue, is only part of addressing pain patterns.

Acupuncture helps to regulate the pain signaling and feedback loop to the brain by resetting the body’s nervous system’s pain-processing systems. Studies show that acupuncture treatment promotes the release of endorphins, serotonin, and encephalin to help override pain signals associated with circulation loss.

Combining acupuncture with other treatments

Although acupuncture has therapeutic benefits for circulation problems, when combined with an integrative approach the results can be even more promising.

At Integrative Healing Arts, we work closely with patients to understand each unique circulation case. At the initial evaluation, our experienced practitioners will develop a treatment to suit your healing needs. This may include a health, immunity, & wellness acupuncture program and massage therapy.

Herbal medicine can also be effective. Although you should never use these remedies without professional guidance, with the help of a licensed herbalist.

Get in touch with us today

If you’re struggling with poor circulation, it can come with a host of other underlying conditions and interfere with your quality of life. But, you don’t have to go through the challenges alone.

At Integrative Healing Arts, we have over 22 years of experience in acupuncture and supporting life-changing results. We strive to help each of our clients overcome their health challenges and cultivate health, wellness, and longevity.

Book a consultation at our clinic to get a personalized plan with our compassionate and experienced team - start your healing journey to significant relief with us today.