Find Relief Where Western Medicine Has Failed

Oriental Medicine identifies psoriasis as a blood heat disorder, a metaphor indicating that an inflammatory process is taking place in the bloodstream and manifesting as red, itchy, scaly patches on the skin. This can disrupt even everyday activities like showering, dressing, and getting to work since the pain that can arise from a flare up can sometimes be debilitating. As a chronic autoimmune disorder, some individuals suffer for decades without finding much relief through steroids, creams, or other western medicine techniques. Because of this, some have turned to acupuncture.

A study from 1992 found that 49.5% of patients treated with acupuncture experienced complete, or near-complete, clearance of their lesions, and an additional 25% experienced clearance of about two-thirds of their lesions. Another study from 2004 showed a 91.3% rate of effectiveness in relieving psoriasis symptoms after only five acupuncture sessions. And a newer study from 2016 also concluded that acupuncture was an effective treatment for improvement of lesions due to psoriasis.

As we attempt to uncover the underlying mechanisms behind this rate of efficacy, some theories have been discussed. Since psoriasis flare ups have been tied to moments of stress, it has been hypothesized that the proven efficacy of acupuncture for relieving stress may have something to do with it. Another hypothesis is that acupuncture stimulates the cutaneous reticuloendothelial system (the skin’s immune system) which in turn may help reduce the body’s autoimmune response which results in psoriasis lesions. In Oriental Medicine, however, it is believed that specific acupuncture cooling points can reduce inflammation by redistributing old blood to bring in new blood and restoring the body’s immune system response to balance.

Our acupuncture physician is happy to share how acupuncture can naturally restore your health. Call 561-249-0447 to let one of our staff members schedule you a free consultation to determine what treatment plan may support you or your loved ones.