Acupuncture For Boosting Your Circulation

Blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen to different organs so they can keep working at optimal levels. Poor circulation occurs when the circulatory system cannot transport blood effectively to the parts of the body and this can affect one’s vital organs, such as the heart and kidneys. Circulation problems can cause blood clots to form. Clots can travel to the brain, heart, or lungs and block major blood vessels, causing a heart attack or stroke.

Some common symptoms of poor blood circulation include muscle cramps, chest pain, and throbbing or stinging pain in your limbs.

Causes

If you have poor circulation, your doctors will first want to get to the root of the problem to assess the nature of your medical condition. Blood clots, varicose veins, diabetes, and peripheral artery disease can cause poor circulation.

• Blood Clots: These can occur anywhere in your body. A clot in a blood vessel can obstruct blood flow to or from vital organs or tissues. A blood clot can cause excruciating pain or cause your skin to turn red. If left unaddressed, a blood clot that completely blocks blood flow can be fatal.
• Varicose Veins: These occur when the valves within your veins get damaged. Often painful, they can cause blood to flow less efficiently, which leads to poor circulation. Varicose veins generally appear on the lower side of the legs.
• Diabetes: High blood glucose levels can cause plaque buildup and damage blood vessels over time.
• Peripheral Artery Disease: PAD is a type of peripheral vascular disease that occurs due to the narrowing of the arteries in the legs. Left untreated, PAD can lead to nerve and tissue damage.

How Can Acupuncture Improve Circulation?

Acupuncture in Walnut Creek involves inserting specially designed needles through the skin at strategic points (acupoints) on the body to heal energy blocks. Many people with poor circulation turn to acupuncture to manage their condition. Studies show that acupuncture needles stimulate the production of nitric acid in the body. Nitric acid is a vasodilator that causes narrow blood vessels to widen, allowing more blood to flow through.

Acupuncture increases the production of antihistamines, leukotrienes, and other compounds that dilate blood vessels and reduce swelling, helping improve circulation to the areas of the body deprived of oxygenated blood.

They say you are what you eat. An unhealthy diet that consists of sugary and deep-fried snacks and processed and low-fiber foods can negatively impact circulation. Acupuncturists also offer nutritional counseling. Your acupuncturist can help you add healthy foods that boost circulation to your diet and use herbal formulations to address the underlying problem.

Monarch Acupuncture & Wellness is committed to helping people grappling with health problems get their health back on track. Our acupuncturists have the experience and expertise to tailor acupuncture treatment plans to the specific needs of their patients. To make an appointment, click here.