We all care about our skin and spend more time taking care of it than any other part of our body. We feel a sense of dread every time we look in the mirror and see something we do not like. Skin problems, like dry and itchy skin, especially those which make the skin appear red, flaky and peeling, upset us. Skin ailments and diseases are common disorders affecting every individual at some point in their life. Some of the most common skin diseases are eczema, hives or urticaria, psoriasis, acne, warts, alopecia, atopic dermatitis, rosacea and so on.
Conventional medicine approaches generally tend to address the symptoms, often leaving the root cause untreated. Acupuncture aims to bring about a complete cure by correcting the imbalance.
Skin diseases are usually brought on by inner disharmonies such as deficiency of qi (vital energy) and blood or environmental influences. Stress, diet and constitution also contribute to these patterns. Acupuncture addresses both the root cause and the symptoms of an ailment.
Itchy and flared-up skin are the most common symptoms associated with almost every skin disease like eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria and so on. Itchy skin arises due to an activated inflammatory response of the body, which in turn activates other cellular mechanisms in the skin and together affects certain layers of skin. The acupuncture points when stimulated, helps treat skin disorders that cause itching, by stimulating the adrenal gland.
Abnormal thyroid function can result in changes in skin, making you prone to skin allergies, swelling and redness, which is also known as myxedema, causing severe discomfort. Myxedema is a condition where one suffers from swelling of the face, which includes the lips, eyelids and tongue. It also thickens your skin. To improve the overall health of your skin one needs to focus on maintaining a good thyroid function and this can be achieved by stimulating the various acupuncture points.
How acupuncture heals
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment protocol based on the fundamental theory that disease is caused by disruptions in the body’s qi. It has been used to treat a broad range of medical conditions including dermatological disorders.
Acupuncture concentrates primarily on treating the individual and the disease. The “symptoms” are considered a “branch” expression of a “root” balance. Imbalances of different origins can produce the same symptoms.
Acupuncture works by stimulating the raphe nuclei (located in the brain stem responsible for the release of serotonin to other parts of the brain), which increases serotonin production, which in turn modulates inflammation.
The diagnosis and treatment are tailored to each individual’s symptoms and challenges. In diagnosing skin ailments, acupuncture considers all the relevant physical, psychological and environmental factors.
Herpes zoster or shingles
Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chicken pox. Acupuncture can ameliorate the acute pain of the herpes rash and helps to heal quickly, while also offsets the nerve damage that can result from a herpes zoster infection.
The symptoms of herpes zoster are headache, fever and skin lesion along the affected dermatome accompanied by temporary and persistent pain that results in sleep disorder, anxiety and a lower quality of life.
The pain can manifest as a variety of sensations such as burning, poking and stabbing. The skin rashes become blisters, which turn to pustules (red pimples with pus at the tip) within a week and subsequently into ulceration and crusting. Shingles are believed to be triggered by emotional and mental stress. Chronic stress can cause serious weakness of the body’s immune system, allowing the disease to take a strong hold.
If the rash develops on the face, near the eyes, it can cause vision problems and even blindness. Some people develop post-herpetic neuralgia, which can cause burning, itching and painful sensations to continue even after the rash has cleared up. If the shingle lesion appears near the ears or affects the facial nerve that connects to the ears it can lead to herpes zoster oticus, which can cause dizziness or vertigo, earache, tinnitus and even hearing loss.
If the rashes are red and hot with a burning sensation, it is probably related to a long period of emotional stress or overwork, possibly combined with an unhealthy diet or excessive consumption of alcohol. The treatment protocol focuses on removing heat from the liver and gall bladder and reducing inflammation. If the rashes have some pus, with a very thin skin, acupuncture focuses on draining dampness and heat from the body.
Post-herpetic neuralgia is related to older age and an overall weakened immune system and is likely to be compounded by fatigue and poor sleep. The treatment in such cases focuses on getting the qi and blood flowing freely through the body again. In acupuncture, the treatment protocol recognises that the constitution of every patient is different.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition characterised by red and scaly plaque along with anxiety and depression due to constant urge to scratch the affected part of the body, which can also cause sleep disturbances.
People with psoriasis may suffer joint pain, swelling and stiffness, which is termed as psoriatic arthritis. Further, they have a significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction (blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle) and peripheral vascular disease, which is a circulatory condition in which narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the limbs because of accelerated atherosclerosis (building of fat, cholesterol and other substances in and on the arterial walls) in an inflamed state.
Elemental factors like heat, wind, dampness and dryness and so on act as pathogens. The root cause of psoriasis may be related to pathogenic factors of excessive heat and dryness.
Acupuncture reduces itching by accelerating the micro-circulation of the local lesion area. It also improves the immune function of the body, stimulates the function of the meridian, repairs skin lesions and prevents the progress. It helps treat anxiety, depression and other symptoms. Acupuncture treatment promotes blood circulation, removes blood stasis and regulates qi.
Acne rosacea
Rosacea is a condition that causes redness and often small, red, pus-filled bumps on the face. The primary feature of rosacea is flushing. This inflammatory condition is transient at first, triggered occasionally by alcohol, spicy food or the heat of emotional stress.
Rosacea is the result of an energy imbalance in the body as well as energy stagnation. Stagnant heat is trapped in the lungs (the organ that controls the health of the skin) or the stomach and spleen and rises to the face to cause inflammation. There may also be some digestive complaints such as acid reflux, excessive appetite, bad breath and constipation. Acupuncture considers this stage a manifestation of stomach heat, as the stomach meridian vertically traverses the cheeks.
Acupuncture is effective in treating rosacea by redistributing microcirculation of blood at the localised area of effect. It disperses heat and qi stagnation and rebalances the body’s acidity levels. This treatment may also help the patient manage any stress, which may have contributed to the condition. Lifestyle changes are also recommended like avoiding hot and spicy food and long-term exposure to heat and alcohol.
Hormonal acne
This type of acne is caused by hormonal fluctuation that accompanies normal life processes like menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Acupuncture helps regulate the endocrine system, which could help reduce hormonal acne. This is achieved through reducing stress, hormonal levels, promoting circulation to the right tissues and glands while reducing inflammation and toxins.
Eczema
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes dry, itchy and irritated skin. It has a link to mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression.
There are certain acupuncture points in the body, which, on being pricked, strengthen immunity and improves circulation. It also relieves pain and treats allergies by clearing the heat and reducing inflammation which helps alleviate dry, itchy and scaly skin. It also calms the nervous system, which also helps to reduce insomnia, balance emotions as well as alleviate stress and anxiety.
The exact cause of eczema is not well established; it is believed to be a combination of factors including genetics, overactive immune function and irritants in the environment. In acupuncture, heat, wind, dryness and dampness are considered pathogenic forces that can take hold in the internal organs and affect the way that skin cells develop.
Each person’s experience with eczema is different. By closely observing the colour, temperature and overall nature of the skin rash or scaly, thickened skin, the acupuncturist will get clues as to which internal systems are affected. It helps relieve itching and reduce inflammation.
Scar tissue
Acupuncture is effective in getting rid of scar tissue, which can be achieved by decreasing inflammation and calming nerve receptors. Needles create micro-abrasions, encouraging the body’s natural healing ability. It can be used to address damaged tissues by activating the physiological response that can decrease the sensation of pain and soreness.
When a person has an injury, the body responds by repairing the damaged tissue which creates scar tissue. It is a collection of cells and collagen that covers the site of the injury. One can develop scar tissue as a result of an injury, surgery or acne, for example, keloid.
Acupuncture for scar tissue treatment specifically helps to stimulate mechanoreceptors in the skin and underlying tissues in a way that enhances the activity of inhibitory neural mediators.
Electro-acupuncture is effective in inhibiting scar formation. It regulates and impedes regeneration of fibrous tissues, prevents adhesions during recuperation and improves blood circulation at scar areas. It is effective in softening and lightening scars, decreasing the size of the scars and reducing scar thickness.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo causes the loss of skin colour and occurs when pigment-producing cells die or stop functioning. It is characterised by pigment loss (melanin) in the skin, resulting in bleached white spots, which might spread over a large region of the body. Auto immunity is suspected as the cause of the condition.
Acupuncture and moxibustion can heal vitiligo. It can adjust internal secretion and boost immune function. Vitiligo is the result of the deficiency of liver and kidney.
The treatment protocol clears toxins and improves the good flow of qi and blood into the skin. Blockage and stagnation of energy, body fluids, and blood are considered the origin of many health issues.
Our skin protects us from harmful radiations like ultraviolet rays and is made up of several layers of tissue that fight against harmful light by releasing a pigment called melanin which is responsible for our skin colour.
In acupuncture there are no generic solutions. The treatment protocol for each ailment is different and is designed specifically to the needs of each individual, which helps address the root cause and provides a lasting solution, especially when other solutions fail.
Pritee Ganatra is a certified medical practitioner specialising in alternative medicine for over 20 years. She is the founder and principal practitioner, Sarojini Sujok Clinic. Facebook: Pritee Ganatra, e-mail: smilepritee17@gmail.com, Instagram: @priteeganatra
