A case of progressive systemic sclerosis and acupuncture therapy. An improvement on peripheral blood flow / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

A case of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) with peripheral circulation disturbance, pulmonary fibrosis and stenosis of esophagus-cardia (E-C) junction, was treated with acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. The patient had digital pitting scar due to the peripheral circulation disturbance. Effect of acupuncture was examined using laser Doppler velosimetry (LDV). Acupuncture treatment was operated 3 times a week and laser therapy, once a week. And Chinese medicine was administered. The LDV measurements were done before and after acupuncture. In the total 9 times of measurements, 8 were increased in peripheral blood flow. Two times from the measurements of peripheral blood flow after acupuncture reached in the normal flow level. After the treatment of 2 months, polyarthralgia was reducted, vomiting was disappeard, and the stenosis of the E-C junction was improved. Present data suggest that the acupuncture therapy to the PSS patient is effective.