Acupuncture for Circulation: How It Works
Introduction
Your fingers feel like ice in the summer, your toes tingle even when you have thick socks on, and the pins and needles linger. You know this, and it's the maddening reality of impaired circulatory function—and you're not alone in downtown Brooklyn and beyond. The silver lining? More and more studies show that acupuncture can significantly boost circulation naturally, bringing relief to anyone seeking soothing, effective circulation relief without nasty side effects 🫀
📚Recent research with more than 700 publications over 26 years has shown that acupuncture increases circulation by 2.8 μmol/L of nitric oxide in just five minutes.
✨For Brooklyn residents with circulatory issues—no matter whether caused by hours of desk sitting, diabetic complications, or conditions such as Raynaud's syndrome—Open Care Community provides affordable, sliding-scale acupuncture to get your body back to its natural flow.Ready to warm up those cold hands and feet?
👉Book your sliding-scale community acupuncture session ($45-$90) with Open Care Community downtown Brooklyn, where empathetic practitioners blend ancient tradition and cutting-edge research to rev up your circulation the natural way.
Getting to Know Your Circulation: The Body's Life-Enabling Highway System 🌊
Your circulatory system is your body's intricate system of highways, and your heart is the hub that pumps blood through approximately 60,000 miles of blood vessels. This intricate system delivers oxygen and food to all cells and carries away waste products, controls your body temperature, and helps with immune function.
The Three-Part Circulation Network:
Arteries transport oxygenated blood from your heart to tissues are tiny networks in which actual exchange of nutrients occurs between blood and cells
Veins transport deoxygenated blood to your heart to be oxygenated
When this system is functioning normally, you feel energised, your extremities stay warm, and your body heals well. But countless factors can disrupt this delicate balance, and the undesirable symptoms that so many people experience daily.
Diagram of human blood vessel illustrating arteries, veins and and capillaries with cross section
🚨Common Signs Your Circulation Needs Help
Poor circulation tends to occur first in your extremities because your body will provide your vital organs with enough blood supply. Warning signs include:
Cold hands and feet that are not reversible in warm conditions
Numbness and tingling of fingers, toes, and limbs
Muscle cramping and weakness during routine activities
Delayed healing of wounds and elongated recovery periods
Change in skin colour or hand and foot color changes
Difficulty concentrating and brain fog
📌Root Causes of Circulation Problems
Studies indicate some of the major causes of circulation issues in our diverse Brooklyn society:
Sedentary behavior influences: Prolonged desk time, driving, or limited daily activity
Metabolic and diabetes disorders: excess blood sugar damages blood vessels over time
Cardiovascular illnesses: Hypertension, cholesterol accumulation, and coronary heart disease
Autoimmune illnesses: Including Raynaud's syndrome and inflammatory illnesses
Age alterations: Physiological deterioration of circulatory performance with increasing age
Environmental triggers: Smoking, dietary deficiency, and chronic stress
🩺Routine treatments usually include compression stockings, medication, or physical therapy, but these are usually only half the equation
At Open Care Community, Physical and energetic factors are both addressed. Acupuncture enhances blood flow by clearing meridians and sedating the nervous system, and cupping and herbal formulas address stagnation directly.
✨It's good news that the majority of the reasons why the compromise is reversible and can be treated effectively. Our practitioners marry contemporary knowledge with ancient methods to take you as far as possible.
👉Book an acupuncture treatment in the community starting at $45, or find a customized herbal program to improve circulation from the inside out. Learn more or book now.
Acupuncture Breakthrough Research: How Acupuncture Boosts Blood Circulation ⚡
The scientific evidence supporting acupuncture's circulation benefits has reached record highs. A 2024 bibliometric review of 706 articles over 26 years demonstrated exponential growth in acupuncture circulation studies that peaked in 2022. This trajectory reflects acupuncture's now well-documented therapeutic value among medical professionals worldwide.
GROWTH IN ACUPUNCTURE CIRCULATION RESEARCH PUBLICATION (1998-2023)
🔬Here is what research says about acupuncture’s impact on your blood flow
🩸The Nitric Oxide: Your Body's Innate Vasodilator
One of the most significant advances is the identification of the mechanism of how acupuncture releases nitric oxide (NO), a key signaling molecule for healthy blood vessel function. A seminal randomized controlled trial showed that acupuncture raises plasma nitric oxide level by 2.8±1.5 μmol/L at the five-minute point of treatment, and the effect persists for over 60 minutes.
✨"Acupuncture induces NO-mediated vasodilation in regions of the skin, and augmented NO stimulates local perfusion, producing local heat and the therapeutic effects of acupuncture analgesia and increased response to inflammation."
This release of nitric oxide is proportional to measurable increases in blood flow to treated tissues, and that is why patients will commonly experience immediate warmth and tingling sensations with acupuncture.
📚Here is the relevant research link: Release of nitric oxide through acupuncture
📋 Clinical Evidence for Specific Conditions: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
A rigorous 2024 pilot study of 18 patients with widely chronic non-healing periphery ulcers recorded that acupuncture yielded statistically significant improvements on seven of eight microcirculatory measures. Patients in a larger randomized controlled trial who underwent 12 acupuncture sessions within eight weeks had an impressive reduction of 24.7 points in overall circulation-related complaints.
📚Here is the relevant research link: increase microcirculation in peripheral artery disease and diabetic foot syndrome
🌸Raynaud's Syndrome Relief
A meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials involving 272 patients found that acupuncture improved remission rates and decreased the frequency of attacks per day by 63% in patients with Raynaud's syndrome. Studies show the mean time of no blood supply in capillaries of the nail-bed decreased from 71 to 24 seconds after acupuncture treatment.
📚Here is the relevant research link: The use of acupuncture in patients with Raynaud’s syndrome:
⚡Enhanced Peripheral Circulation
Several studies using color Doppler imaging show that acupuncture significantly enhances brachial and radial artery perfusion, with effects lasting many hours following treatment. Such quantifiable improvement directly correlates with patients' subjective complaints of warmer limbs and relief of circulation symptoms.
📚Here is the relevant research link: Effects of acupuncture on blood flow in humans
💡 What It Means for Your Circulation
When your body becomes stuck in a cycle of stress or stagnation (as it is described in TCM), blood and qi are unable to flow freely. Acupuncture gets you moving again:
🍃 Relaxes tight muscles and blood vessels
💪Strengthens your body's natural healing response
🩸Supplies additional blood to cold or numb areas
⚡Boosts concentration and energy by oxygenating your brain
🌿TCM Research Encounters
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, when blood and qi flow are normal, signs such as pain, cold, and fatigue start to subside. Western research now offers proof to validate what TCM has been doing for centuries—that the stimulation of specific acupuncture points will cause actual physiological change.
💬 "Think of acupuncture as assisting traffic within a city—shifting the impediments, aligning the messages, and relieving congestion," says the head acupuncturist at Open Care Community.
👉Located In Downtown Brooklyn? Let our licensed therapists lead you to the benefits for yourself. Book now—sliding scale from $45–$90.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach: Rebalancing Qi and Blood Circulation 🌀
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, circulatory problems are caused by disturbances in the harmonious circulation of Qi (energy) and Blood. In contrast to the material vessel focus of the Western medical paradigm, TCM recognizes circulation as an energetic dynamic system with material and energetic aspects of health.
☯️🩸Understanding of Qi and Blood in TCM
Qi is the energy behind all of our physiology—think of it in terms of the electricity in your body. When Qi flows freely, circulation is optimal. When Qi is lacking or blocked, circulation falters, leading to cold hands and feet, fatigue, and poor healing.
In TCM, blood is not merely the red fluid in the veins. It is the moistening, nourishing element that keeps tissues warm and healthy. When blood stagnates or is deficient, you are likely to develop the usual symptoms: cold feet and hands, tight muscles, headaches, and sluggish recuperation.
🔍Common TCM Circulation Patterns
Blood Stasis (Blood Stagnation)
Usually called "traffic jams" in your body's energy roads. Piercing, stabbing pain, cold fingers and toes, and purple coloration of the tongue and lips are symptoms. This pattern usually occurs due to chronic stress, inactivity, or emotional tension.
Qi Deficiency
When your body is not energetic enough to move Blood properly. This is felt as fatigue, pale color, cold hands and feet, and random sweating. Common among Brooklyn residents with overworked lives.
Cold Stagnation
Constitutional or environmental coldness makes the Blood thicker and slower, causing slowness of circulation. This can happen to anyone during New York's winter cold weather or naturally "cold" individuals- people who feel colder than most.
🌸The TCM Organs Affecting Circulation
In Western medicine, we examine the vessels and heart. But in TCM, several organ systems work together to control blood and qi circulation:
Heart: Regulates the blood and houses the mind (shen). Poor circulation may manifest as palpitations, nervousness, or insomnia.
Liver: Allows free flow of qi and blood. Constricted under stress or stagnation, especially in PMS or mood conditions.
Spleen: Generates and stores blood. Poor digestion can lead to poor blood manufacture, bruising, or tiredness.
If you have circulating and plentiful qi, so does your blood. That is why TCM is likely to address circulation by not only considering the heart, but also emotions, digestion, and hormones.
👉 Interested in trying acupuncture from a holistic perspective? Schedule an appointment in Downtown Brooklyn—sliding scale fees make it simple to begin.
Evidence-Based Acupuncture Points for Circulation Enhancement 🎯
While every treatment at Open Care Community is individualized based on your specific pattern and symptoms, certain acupuncture points are frequently selected for their proven circulation boosting properties:
💪LI4 (Hegu) – "Joining Valley"
Location: Between the index finger and the thumb
Function: Carries qi and blood to the entire body, relieves pain and tension
Common Use: Cold hands, headaches, general stagnation
🦵ST36 (Zusanli) – "Leg Three Miles"
Location: Under the kneecap, on the shinbone
Function: Tonifies qi and blood, supports digestion and immunity.
General Use: Consistently ranks among the most frequently prescribed points across multiple conditions
🌊SP10 (Xuehai) – "Sea of Blood"
Location: In the thigh, proximal to the knee
Function: Stimulates and calms the blood, for blood heatand skin illnesses
General Use: Classical texts refer to this point as the primary location for treating blood-related disorders
❤️PC6 (Neiguan) – "Inner Pass"
Location: A couple of inches above the wrist in the forearm
Function: Regulates heart function, opens the chest, and promotes blood flow
Clinical Use: Demonstrates measurable effects on cardiovascular parameters and peripheral circulation
🔹 Local Points (such as LV3, UB40, GB34, etc.)
These are picked based on your symptoms. For example:
Tight calf = UB57 or UB40
Cold feet = KD1 or LV3
Muscle tension = Ashi points placed on sensitive or stiff areas.
An anatomical map of acupuncture points and meridians in the head and neck area illustrating neural pathways and energy channels
⚠️A Safety & Customization Tip
Acupuncture is never one size fits all. Your practitioner will tailor the approach with caution for patients with complicated conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, particularly if you're on medicines like blood thinners. Please put all medications and your full medical history on your intake form, to be discussed with your practitioner at your first appointment.
👉 Acupuncture newbie or requiring special attention? We've got you. Our safe, effective, and tailored care is for you. Book your first appointment today → Open Care Community – Book Now
What to Expect During an Acupuncture Session at Open Care Community 🛋️🌿
Whether you're new to acupuncture or you're visiting to treat particular circulation-related issues, Open Care Community makes the process patient-focused, clear, and comfortable from the very beginning.
⛱️Community Acupuncture Experience
Open Care Community's community acupuncture model has many benefits for circulation treatment:
Unstructured group environment: The collective, open environment facilitates the parasympathetic stimulation of the nervous system that improves circulation.
Affordable access: Sliding-scale fee ($45-$90) + $15 first-time fee makes treatment affordable on a regular basis.
Consistency: Circulation improvement requires regular sessions—community acupuncture makes it accessible.
🛏️Private Session Benefits
For those who like one-on-one attention or have circulation issues, single-room acupuncture sessions provide:
In-depth evaluation: Detailed examination of your pattern and causative factors
Personalized point selection: Specifically designed treatment for your own individualized TCM pattern
Other modalities: Addition of other modalities, like cupping or gua sha, as needed
📝Your Personalized Acupuncture Treatment
Depending on your constitution and goals, your practitioner will develop a tailored treatment plan. You may be treated with:
Manual Acupuncture: Traditional needle insertion with careful manipulation techniques to stimulate Qi and Blood flow.
Cupping Therapy: Produces suction to physically move stagnant Blood and enhance local circulation.
Gua Sha: Systematic scraping technique releasing tension within fascia and stimulating blood flow to the skin surface.
Herbal Consultations: A powerful complement to acupuncture’s circulation benefits with warming herbs like Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) and Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius).
A professional acupuncture treatment session showing precise needle insertion in the upper back to improve circulation and health
Effectiveness Duration
Research indicates that acupuncture's circulation benefits accumulate cumulatively:
Effects are immediate: Blood flow improvements are routinely measurable in minutes after treatment
Short-term benefits: Improvement of symptoms typically apparent after 3-4 sessions
Long-term improvement: Optimal results are generally attained following 8-12 treatments
Maintenance: Repeated sessions sustain gains in circulation
Patient Stories: How Acupuncture Helped With Circulation 🗣️✨
At Open Care Community, we see firsthand how personalized acupuncture care can transform how patients feel, from the tips of their toes to the clarity of their thoughts.
Below are a few anecdotes of real patients in the Open Care Community:
💬 “ Paid $35 for community accupuncture as a returning customer. They do have a $45 special for new customers. The place requires you to wear a health mask. I love that they have different beds to lie in. My favorite is the heated bed. Although it's done with other people in the space, I have never felt uncomfortable. They have someone who works for the company in the room. I've tried cupping and gua sha here as well. They do sell products and have an area in the entry where they provide water. I will continue to come here”.- Samantha C
💬“This was my first time trying acupuncture, and I had to immediately post a review. Jenny (the owner) was my practitioner, and she made me feel so comfortable and well informed about the whole process. I, of course, feel sore, but as I was walking to the train, I realized how straight my posture was for the first time in years! The space is calming and COVID-safe, which shows how much they truly care about the community. ” Linden Ela
💬“Incredible! Highly recommend this newly opened clinic. Alice has treated me a few times in the past, after several incidents of shoulder pain/injury, as well as herbal treatments and cupping, all of which have been helpful, relaxing, and healing. I'm thrilled to see her offering acupuncture in this beautiful space. Queer friendly, and would highly recommend to folks new to acupuncture or those looking to check out a powerful new healing space.”Greg Fay
Most patients experience improvements in:
Mobility and flexibility.
Pain, soreness
Stress, sleep, and energy
A feeling of general relief and being grounded
👉Want to see how acupuncture can support your circulation journey? Book a session today
Is Acupuncture Right for Your Circulation Concerns?🤔
If I'm curious whether acupuncture is right for your circulation issue, the quick answer is: most likely yes. One of the best aspects of acupuncture—and the way we do it at Open Care Community—is how versatile it is, how readily adaptable it is to various bodies, ailments, and objectives. Below are just a few examples of those who could be helped
👇If you have.
Cold fingers and toes, even in warm weather
Muscle spasm or cramping that does not seem to resolve
Brain fog, sluggishness, or sluggish digestion
Swelling in the legs or ankles after sitting for long periods
Numbness or paresthesia of the extremities
They are usually signs of stagnation of blood or insufficiency of qi, and they're exactly the kind of symptoms that acupuncture is designed to address.
🧠 Whether you're.
An office worker with inadequate leg circulation due to hours of sitting
An athlete who wants to enhance recovery and prevent injury
A new parent or caregiver operating on minimal sleep and great anxiety
A patient with diabetes who seeks holistic neuropathy treatment
Acupuncture is a soothing but powerful instrument to enhance blood flow, reduce pain, and promote overall health.
✨Considerations for Special Populations
Diabetic Patients: There is good evidence of treatment compliance and satisfaction, and long-term relief of symptoms and markers of circulation in neuropathy.
Cardiovascular Diseases: Acupuncture is safe to employ to supplement standard cardiac care, and studies have documented blood pressure decreases comparable to certain medications
Raynaud's Syndrome: Clinical trials demonstrate a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of attacks, with the effect lasting after treatment.
❤️ Is it safe?
Yes—acupuncture is extremely low-risk in most people. However, if you take blood thinners, have a pacemaker, or are seriously ill with cardiovascular disease, please let us know at your initial visit. We will adjust your care appropriately or refer you to your primary physician.
Energy Flow, Blood Flow, and Balanced Health 💫
No matter the reason you're struggling to fight cold fingers and toes, recover from an injury, or simply feel exhausted, enhancing circulation can be a foundation of regaining your health. In Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), circulation is the hub, oxygenating, detoxifying, and nourishing every cell of your body.
Our therapists understand that each person's circulation problems are unique. Combining traditional Chinese medical wisdom with the latest research findings, we create customized treatment plans that address your unique needs without breaking the bank or interfering with your lifestyle.
📍 Brooklyn-Based? See Us in Person.
Open Care Community is proud to offer high-quality, affordable integrative care in downtown Brooklyn. Whether you’re dealing with poor circulation, stress, or fatigue, let’s work together to find natural solutions that work for you.
👉 Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book Here →📍 44 Court Street, Suite 1000, Brooklyn, NY 11201
FAQs
1. How does acupuncture help with blood circulation?
Acupuncture stimulates specific points that improve blood flow by relaxing blood vessels and reducing inflammation. This enhanced microcirculation helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues, promoting healing and overall vitality.
2. Can acupuncture help with breast cysts and lymphatic circulation?
Yes, acupuncture may support lymphatic drainage and hormonal balance, which can help reduce discomfort linked to breast cysts. It improves circulation and energy flow, helping the body detoxify naturally and reduce cyst formation over time.
3. What are the signs that acupuncture is improving circulation?
After a few sessions, many people notice warmer extremities, improved skin tone, and reduced numbness or swelling. These are common signs that acupuncture is successfully enhancing blood and energy flow.
4. What are the five forbidden points in acupuncture?
The “five forbidden points” (such as LI4, SP6, BL60, BL67, and GB21) are specific acupoints avoided during pregnancy due to their strong stimulating effects on the uterus. Outside of pregnancy, they are safe when applied by a licensed acupuncturist.
5. How many acupuncture sessions improve circulation?
Most people experience noticeable benefits after 4–6 sessions, depending on the severity of poor circulation or underlying health conditions. Regular sessions combined with hydration and movement boost long-term results.
