Conditions A-Z
Acupuncture Clinic
Find an Acupuncturist
Herbal Remedies
Diet & Nutrition
Chi Gong &Tai Chi
Chinese Medicine Basics
Patient Testimonials
Animal Acupuncture
Store

Syndromes A-Z
AcuPoint Locator
Herbology
Practice Building
CEUs/Events
Employment
Study Acupuncture
Acupuncture Schools
Research
TCM Library
Laws & Regulations
Practitioner Links
Practitioner Store

Points Newsletter
Catalog Requests
Contact Us
About Acupuncture.Com
Privacy Policy

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Acupuncture.Com accepts article contributions. Email submissions to contact@acupuncture.com

FIND AN ACUPUNCTURIST

Subscribe

Points -  Ask the Doctor

Q: I notice that my hands and feet are usually much colder than the rest of my body. In which ways can I improve my circulation, perhaps even thin my blood?

A: Your situation may not be as directly related to the viscosity of your blood as the state of your vital Qi (Chi). You may also have blood deficiency, such as anemia. I would first check to ensure that you are not suffering from anemia. Once you have ruled that out, check to ensure you are not suffering from a more severe pathology called Raynaud’s syndrome.

From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, your hands and feet may feel cold due to stagnation of Qi in the middle of your body, preventing the vital substances, including blood, to flow to the extremities to warm them.

I suggest acupuncture and herbal prescriptions to help invigorate the Qi. I also suggest you take up tai chi or qigong exercises. These are great martial art forms that help with the body's internal circulation and cultivation of Qi. From a dietary perspective, I suggest you incorporate more pungent moving foods such as tangerines, tangerine peel, Chinese chives, lettuce, hawthorn berries, black pepper, and cardamom seeds.

Try this remedy: peel tangerines, dry the peel, and then use the dried peel to make tea.

About our Doctors

This month's Ask the Doctor question was answered by:

Dr. Maoshing Ni, L.Ac., D.O.M., Ph.D. from his website:

October 2008
Volume 6, Number 10

Apples: The Live Longer Fruit

Chinese Medicine Mitigates the Pain, Swelling and Weakness of Multiple Sclerosis

Research on Biology of Acupuncture has Met the Gold Standard of Science

Recent Research

Ask The Doctor

Traditions of Tao - Bloat/Gas Formula

Relieves Bloating & Gas Discomfort

Traditions of Tao - Indigestion Formula

Relieves Symptoms of Indigestion

Abundant Energy Digestion Formula

Promotes a Strong and Healthy Digestion System

High Performance

An Energy 'Chi' Formula for Optimal Operation of the Body

Five Elements Health Formula

A Whole Body Tune-Up

The Tao of Nutrition
By Maoshing Ni

The Path to Good Nutrition
and Health

Self-Healing Chi Gong

Strengthen & Balance the Mind and Body