Can Acupuncture Help Raynaud’s Disease?

Acupuncture is reported to be a great alternative treatment for several musculoskeletal conditions, such as soft-tissue damage. But is acupuncture good for ligament damage? In this article, we investigate the effects of acupuncture on ligament damage, and how it compares to common Western treatments. 

So, is acupuncture good for ligament damage? Acupuncture shows promising evidence for managing the symptoms of ligament damage, such as pain relief and inflammation, but expert opinion differs on its ability to heal the injury. However, there are studies that show that acupuncture improves circulation, which may contribute to faster healing. 

Read on to learn more about how acupuncture may benefit ligament damage. 

A study into acupuncture for sports injuries suggests that acupuncture may offer either long-term improvements to symptoms of soft-tissue damage or a complete resolution. Damaged ligaments would typically be classed as soft-tissue damage; therefore acupuncture may be able to help heal or manage the condition. 

The study on the use of acupuncture on soft tissue disorders reported that out of 201 patients, 6% saw minimal improvement, 33% saw remarkable improvement, and 59% saw clinical resolution. 

There have also been positive lab trials on the use of warming acupuncture for ligament damage, concluding that warming acupuncture may facilitate the healing process via increasing cellular activity. A second study in a similar field reported that warming acupuncture may offer pain relief benefits for damaged ligaments. A further study reported an 85% effectiveness of acupuncture when measured against pain threshold and electromyography. 

However, most studies into acupuncture for ligament damage conclude that findings are inconsistent or inconclusive. But, from a western perspective, acupuncture may help to heal or manage damaged ligaments by reducing pain, improving circulation, and reducing the risk of repeat injury. 

How Acupuncture Compares to Western Medicine for Ligament Damage 

It is not thought that acupuncture offers superior treatment to Western medicine for ligament damage, but that it offers an alternative approach. In fact, the NHS considers acupuncture to be CAM therapy – complementary and alternative medicine. 

Western medicine largely focuses on the RICE method for mild to moderate soft-tissue damage, but this is more geared towards reducing inflammation and pain, allowing patients to return to normal activity faster. However, it doesn’t help to heal the problem and the injury may reoccur. 

Acupuncture, however, stimulates the body’s natural responses to injury to help promote healing. For example, stimulating circulation helps to deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to the injured area, encouraging a quicker recovery time. What’s more, acupuncture is thought to reduce the risk of the injury recurring. 

Acupuncture Points for Raynaud’s

The following Acupuncture points are thought to help with Raynaud’s:

• LI 11 – located at the crease of the elbow when the arm is bent. This point helps with pain and motor impairment.
• ST 36 – located on the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 1 fingers width from the anterior crest of the tibia. This point helps to increase motor cortical excitation.
• LU 9 – located on the radial end of the transverse crease of the wrist, where the artery pulsates. This point assists with vascular problems.

In addition to this, the following points may be used:

• HT 3
• TB 5
• PC 6
• Jiaji points from C-6 to T-3
• Baxie extra points

Contraindications of Acupuncture for Raynaud’s Disease

As previously discussed, western treatments for Raynaud’s Disease may result in a number of unfavourable side effects. For the most part, Acupuncture has minimal side effects and is considered to be a safe treatment for most people.

Acupuncture Side Effects

Common, mild side effects may include:

• Mild pain, bruising and bleeding at the needle point
• Feeling faint or drowsy immediately after treatment

These side effects tend to be minor, mild and short-term when Acupuncture is conducted by a qualified practitioner. In most cases, these effects are nothing to worry about and will resolve themselves quickly.

Absolute Contraindications

There are a few groups of society that should not undergo Acupuncture treatment for medical reasons. They should consult their primary Doctor before proceeding with treatment. These include:

• Pregnant women
• Those with uncontrollable movements
• Those with spinal instability
• Those with scars, keloid, recent wounds or skin with sensory deficit
• Those with blood disorders
• Those with a pacemaker

Learn more about the safety of acupuncture, its risk, side effects and contraindications in our dedicated blog, Is Acupuncture Safe?

Final Thoughts

The research into Acupuncture for Raynaud’s Syndrome is still in its infancy and experts state that more research is needed. However, current understanding suggests that Acupuncture is effective in treating Raynaud’s, or at least the symptoms of the disease.

It is particularly beneficial for people that experience side effects from conventional medications that treat the condition. It may also be a good alternative for those that don’t respond well to conventional treatments, before surgery is recommended.

If you’re a healthcare professional interested in offering Acupuncture as an alternative therapy, take a look at our acupuncture courses online today. We offer foundation-level Acupuncture courses at all major cities across the UK and provide you with everything you need to safely and effectively practise acupuncture. We also offer more advanced CPD Acupuncture courses for those that have successfully passed a foundation course.

Take a look at our range of courses online today, or get in touch for more information.

FAQs

What is Raynaud’s Disease?

Raynaud’s Disease is a condition that affects blood circulation. When an affected person is cold, anxious or stressed, their fingers and/or toes may change colour as blood flow is restricted. For some people, their ears, nose or lips may also be affected.

The symptoms of Raynaud’s typically last from a few minutes to a few hours. It is a relatively common phenomenon and doesn’t usually cause severe problems.

What Causes Raynaud’s Disease?

Experts don’t fully understand what causes the condition but it is typically triggered by cold temperatures, anxiety or stress. The condition causes blood flow to be restricted to affected areas as the blood vessels go into a temporary spasm.

What are the Symptoms of Raynaud’s Disease?

Common symptoms of Raynaud’s Disease include:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Pins and needles
• Difficulty in moving the area.

In most cases, these symptoms are localised to the fingers and/or toes, but it can also  affect the lips, nose and ears.