| Chest and Circulation Problems |
Many types of ‘circulation problems’ can be relieved by acupuncture. Poor circulation and cold hands and feet, for instance due to Raynaud's Disease (J Intern Med.1997 Feb;241(2):119-24) or Buerger's Disease (IJPMR 2009 20(2) 64-66) may be relieved. I have had some success with treating chronic venous leg ulcers, as have others (Acupunct Med 2003;21:150-152 doi:10.1136/aim.21.4.150), and Jorge Vas in Spain is now carrying out a formal trial (http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/8/29).
Acupuncture and nNEAP have been shown to be of value in the treatment of high blood pressure, angina and strokes (Acupuncture in Medicine (1993) May:11 (1) 29-31, Acupuncture in Medicine (1995) 13 (2) 81-83). Myofascial trigger points in the muscles of the chest wall may mimic the pain of angina and these can be relieved by both gentle manipulative approaches and trigger point needling.
In my experience the pain and aching of varicose veins can usually be helped but Acupuncturedoes not seem to improve the look of the varicosities.
'Restless legs syndrome' is often thought to be caused by poor circulation, but it may also be interpreted as a musculo-skeletal problem lying in the lower back. It usually responds well to a specific type of very gentle manipulation. A small pilot study showed that 75% of patients were at least 75% better within 3 treatments (Peters T W, "Restless Legs", Osteopathy Today, October 2001. P12-13). If this doesn't help then acupuncture may help, since many sufferers also have 'trigger points' in the muscles of the thighs. Please read the extensive section on restless legs syndrome.
