Specific nerves are stimulated, when specific
points on the body are stimulated.[
3] By means of the
neurovegetative system, the peripheral parts of the
body are controlled in direct or indirect relation with
it segments by the medulla spinalis. The stimulation of a nerve from this group affects other parts of the
body. This effect can be sometimes an increase or
decrease in activity. Increased activity by stimulation
of the sympathetic nerves becomes reduced through
the stimulation of the parasympathetic nerves.[
1,
2] An
increased heart rate, decreased blood vessels, tightening
and loosening of the blood vessels, and increased
or decreased hormone secretion may be due to the
same mechanism. Acupuncture provides a significant
improvement in the treatment of venous ulcers.[
5,
6]
According to the traditional Chinese medicine, edema
travelling from the knee toward the lower limb
indicates spleen and kidney Yang deficiency with
the accumulation and retention of damp and mucus,
thereby, leading to edema.[
7] Using the acupuncture
technique, meridians of the spleen and kidney are the
location for edema resolution. In a study, intradermal
needling of the Sanyinjiao (SP-6) and Fliu (KI-7)
intersecting points diminished the structures around
the limb.[
8]
In the published Yellow Emperor?s Internal
Classic, lung and colon meridians should be used
in the treatment of upper back-related diseases and
stomach and spleen meridians in the treatment of
low back-related diseases.[9] ST-36 is an acupoint
of the stomach meridian and rich in Qi and blood
and its stimulation is thought to regulate all body
functions.[10] In addition, acupuncture is effective
in the treatment of edema due to damp and mucus.
The SP-6 is the intersecting point of kidney, liver,
and spleen meridians and regulates vital Qi flow,
enhancing the kidney and spleen energy.[1] In a
study, moxibustion with a warming needle was
found to be more effective in edema resolution than
acupuncture alone.[11] There are also studies showing
the efficacy of acupuncture in reducing the number
of migraine attacks.[12,13] Some authors also reported
that acupuncture accelerated healing process, resolved
edema, and provided analgesia in a case of metatarsal
fracture.[14]
In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, this
is the first case report to show the effectiveness of
acupuncture in the treatment of venous insufficiency
and varicose veins. Currently, pharmacological and
surgical approaches are commonly used, and our
findings are required to be reproduced in further
studies. We believe that acupuncture as an adjunct
method to conventional approaches is helpful to
improve the quality of life of patients.
Declaration of conflicting interests
The author declared no conflicts of interest with respect
to the authorship and/or publication of this article.
Funding
The author received no financial support for the research
and/or authorship of this article.