Raynaud's Syndrome, characterized by spasmodic or functional obstruction of the small arteries in the extremities, leads to local ischemic phenomena. The primary form, known as Raynaud's Disease, often occurs in young women and can be triggered by exposure to cold air or emotional stress, resulting in intermittent pallor and cyanosis of the skin of the extremities, accompanied by pain in the fingers or toes.
The exact cause of primary Raynaud's is not entirely clear, but it is commonly attributed to excessive sympathetic nervous activity or increased sensitivity of the local arteries to cold. The secondary form, known as Raynaud's Phenomenon, is often associated with conditions like thromboangiitis obliterans. It typically occurs asymmetrically in the lower limbs, where the dorsal artery of the foot may show weak or absent pulsation, and its symptoms are similar to those of Raynaud's Disease.
Acupuncture has shown immediate effectiveness in treating Raynaud's Syndrome, often rapidly normalizing the temperature of affected extremities and alleviating pain. However, the long-term effects require further observation.
Acupuncture is a reasonable alternative therapy for treating primary Raynaud's Syndrome. Its mechanism of action includes alleviating arterial spasms and increasing collateral circulation.
The effect of acupuncture on thromboangiitis obliterans has been supported by research findings. Acupuncture demonstrates superior immediate efficacy in improving blood flow in the affected limbs compared to non-acupuncture groups. This suggests that acupuncture can be an effective complementary treatment for managing Raynaud's Syndrome, particularly in improving blood flow and relieving symptoms.