Do your fingers turn white, blue, or painfully tingly when you’re cold, or even just a little stressed?
If so, you might be dealing with Raynaud’s syndrome (also called Raynaud’s phenomenon). Raynaud’s is a circulation issue that makes your blood vessels “clamp down” more than they should. It can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and can even be a little scary when it flares.
Because acupuncture is so effective at improving circulation, it can be an extremely useful therapy for reducing the frequency and intensity of Raynaud’s episodes. Let’s take a closer look at what Raynaud’s is, why it happens, and how acupuncture can help warm things up from the inside out.
What Is Raynaud’s Syndrome?
Raynaud’s syndrome is a condition where the small blood vessels in your fingers and toes overreact to cold or stress. Sometimes this also affects the ears, nose, or lips.
There are two main types of Raynaud’s:
- Primary Raynaud’s: Happens on its own, not linked to another disease.
- Secondary Raynaud’s: Linked to another condition, like an autoimmune disease or a connective tissue disorder.
Symptoms
Either way, during an episode, those tiny blood vessels suddenly constrict and blood flow cannot reach these areas. This can cause:
- Color changes in the skin (white, then blue, then red as blood returns)
- Numbness or “pins and needles”
- Cold, pale hands or feet
- Pain or throbbing as circulation comes back
From an Oriental medicine perspective, Raynaud’s is mostly considered a lack or weakness of qi: “Qi (energy) is believed to move Blood. When Qi is strong and flows smoothly, blood circulation is also smooth. However, if Qi becomes weak, the driving force that pushes blood through the body weakens, which can lead to poor circulation,” as Dr. Ko explains.
“For example, symptoms such as cold hands and feet, easy fatigue, or increased stress sensitivity are considered signs that the flow of Qi is not smooth.”
How is Raynaud’s Syndrome Treated?
In Western medicine, treatment is typically focused on medications that help manage symptoms or support blood vessel function. However, these are generally used for symptom control rather than being viewed as a fundamental or root-level treatment.
In Oriental medicine, we take a closer look at the big picture of your symptoms. Symptoms such as cold hands and feet, like those seen in Raynaud’s syndrome, are often treated in Korean medicine using acupuncture and herbal medicine. These approaches are considered to be highly effective for improving circulation and overall balance in the body.
From a Korean medicine perspective, the term “syndrome” implies a condition that is managed rather than completely cured, so Western medical treatment is often seen as focusing on management rather than restoration of underlying functional balance.
Acupuncture for Raynaud’s Syndrome and Circulation
Raynaud’s is not usually a dangerous condition, but it can be uncomfortable or point to underlying imbalances. Acupuncture gives us a way to work with your circulation and nervous system so these reactions become less frequent and less intense.
1. Acupuncture improves microcirculation
When we think of circulation, we often think of blood pumping through our heart, arteries, and veins. But what about all the tinier vessels? This is microcirculation, and it’s one area acupuncture can make a big difference.
Remember this: where Qi goes, blood flows. “Our body’s Qi must circulate smoothly for healing to occur,” says Dr. Ko, “and acupuncture is considered the primary method to help regulate and move Qi. In conditions such as Raynaud’s syndrome, acupuncture treatment is used to help promote the circulation of Qi and Blood all the way to the extremities.”
Acupuncture helps Raynaud’s by improving circulation in those tiny vessels that supply blood to your fingers and toes. Why is this so effective? As Dr. Ko explains, “blood cannot effectively reach the peripheral vessels on its own without the movement of Qi, and acupuncture is used to help stimulate and restore that movement.”
Another reason is that when we place needles at specific points, your body responds by relaxing the muscles in the vessel walls and allowing those vessels to open up. That means more warm, oxygen-rich blood can reach areas that usually shut down first in the cold. Over time, many people notice that their hands and feet don’t get quite as pale or blue, and that they bounce back more quickly after being exposed to cold.
2. Acupuncture calms the nervous system
Beyond circulation, Raynaud’s is also about the nervous system. Stress, anxiety, and sudden shocks can all trigger episodes because your body flips into fight-or-flight mode and pulls blood away from your hands and feet.
Acupuncture helps calm that overactive stress response. It supports the “rest and digest” side of your nervous system so your body doesn’t overreact every time you’re cold or under pressure. As your nervous system settles, your circulation tends to respond in a calmer, more balanced way, and flare-ups often become less frequent and less intense.
3. Acupuncture warms the body from the inside out
In East Asian medicine, we look at warmth not just as a surface temperature issue, but as a sign of how strong your internal “fire” is. If that inner warmth is low, your body will naturally struggle to keep your fingers and toes comfortable, no matter how many layers you wear.
With acupuncture and herbal medicine, we work on strengthening that internal warmth and helping your Qi and Blood move more freely to the extremities. Many patients describe feeling warmer overall (not just during the treatment, but in their day-to-day life as well).
4. Acupuncture reduces pain and tingling
The pain, tingling, or burning that comes with Raynaud’s can be intense. Acupuncture helps by encouraging your body to release its own natural pain-relieving chemicals, called endorphins. It also improves circulation and reduces local inflammation, which can make each episode less painful and easier to recover from. As treatments progress, people often notice that their flare-ups are not only less severe, but also less uncomfortable when they do happen.
Lifestyle Tips for Better Circulation
Acupuncture can make a big difference for Raynaud’s, and what you do at home can make your treatments even more successful. Small daily habits can help keep blood flowing, reduce flare-ups, and make your body more resilient to cold and stress.
Here are some simple, practical ways to support your circulation at home:
- Keep your core warm
Most people focus on thick socks and gloves, but your body actually prioritizes blood flow to your core organs first. If your torso is cold, your body will pull even more blood away from your fingers and toes. Wearing layers, warm undershirts, high-waisted leggings, or a scarf can help keep your core toasty so your hands and feet don’t have to suffer as much. Herbal medicine can be particularly helpful here. While acupuncture moves warming Qi through the extremities, herbal medicine warms the internal body, as well as “help warm the hands and feet and tonify (strengthen) the body.” - Avoid sudden exposure to extreme cold
Quick changes in temperature can trigger strong Raynaud’s episodes. Whenever possible, try to ease into cold environments instead of going from very warm to very cold in an instant. This looks like warming up your car before driving, wearing gloves when taking things out of the freezer, and covering your hands before you step outside on cold days can all decrease the shock to your blood vessels. - Move gently and often
You don’t need an intense workout to help your circulation. In fact, gentle, regular movement can be more helpful. Short walks, stretching, light yoga, or tai chi help pump blood through your muscles and out to your extremities. Even simple habits like wiggling your fingers and toes, rolling your shoulders, or circling your ankles throughout the day can encourage better blood flow. - Manage stress to calm your body’s “clamp down” response
Stress is one of the most overlooked triggers for Raynaud’s. When you feel anxious or under pressure, your nervous system tells your blood vessels to tighten. Simple stress-management tools like slow deep breathing, body scans, or a few minutes of meditation can help signal to your body that it’s time to relax. (And the more relaxed you are, the better your circulation). - Be mindful of smoking and caffeine
Both nicotine and high amounts of caffeine can cause blood vessels to constrict, which is the opposite of what we want with Raynaud’s. If you smoke, cutting back or quitting can make a meaningful difference in your circulation (and overall health). If you’re sensitive to caffeine, reducing coffee, energy drinks, or strong tea may also help reduce the intensity of your episodes.
Warm Up from the Inside Out with 120 Acupuncture Clinic
If Raynaud’s leaves your fingers white, your toes numb, or your hands aching every time the temperature drops, acupuncture can help.
Acupuncture for Raynaud’s syndrome offers a natural way to improve circulation, reduce flare-ups, and help your body stay warmer and more comfortable all year round.
Ready to give your hands and feet some warm relief? Call 120 Acupuncture Clinic at 1-818-980-7979 or book a consultation here to reduce Raynaud’s symptoms and restore your inner balance.
