From the Guidelines
Acupuncture is not recommended as a primary treatment for Raynaud's due to inconclusive results and low-quality studies. The current evidence suggests that alternative treatments, including acupuncture, have had minimal benefit in improving Raynaud's phenomenon symptoms 1. While some patients may report improved circulation and reduced frequency and severity of attacks after acupuncture treatments, the quality of these studies is low, and more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Some studies have investigated the use of alternative treatments, including acupuncture, antioxidants, biofeedback, essential fatty acids, Ginkgo biloba, l-arginine, laser, glucosaminoglycans, and therapeutic gloves, but the results have been inconclusive 1. In fact, a systematic review found that only ceramic-impregnated gloves showed potential improvement in Raynaud's phenomenon, with minimal benefit.
Instead of relying on acupuncture, patients with Raynaud's can try avoiding known triggers, such as cold, trauma, stress, smoking, vibration injury, or certain drugs, and wearing proper clothing in cold conditions, such as a coat, mittens, hat, dry insulated footwear, and hand and/or foot warmers 1. Physical therapy, biofeedback, and laser treatment may also be used to stimulate blood flow and reduce symptoms.
It is essential to note that acupuncture should only be performed by a licensed practitioner, and patients should inform them about any medications they're taking or health conditions they have. While generally safe, acupuncture is not a replacement for conventional treatments, and patients should consult their doctor before starting any new therapy. Results vary between individuals, and multiple sessions are typically needed before noticing improvement.
From the Research
Acupuncture and Raynaud's Phenomenon
- There are no direct research papers provided to assist in answering whether acupuncture can help with Raynaud's phenomenon 2, 3, 4, 5.
- However, a study on the understandings of acupuncture application and mechanisms suggests that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for various conditions, including pain relief 6.
- Although the provided studies do not directly investigate the effect of acupuncture on Raynaud's phenomenon, they do discuss other treatments for the condition, such as calcium channel blockers and angiotensin II receptor blockers 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Further research would be needed to determine the potential benefits of acupuncture for Raynaud's phenomenon, as the current evidence does not provide a clear answer to this question 6.