The Effects of Acupuncture Therapy on Cold Hands and Feet (“Hiesho”)

The Relationship between Cold Hands and Feet (“Hiesho”) and Blood Stagnation “Oketsu”

Abstract

The relationship between coldness of the hands and feet (“Hiesho”) and Blood Stagnation (“Oketsu”), a disorder description unique to Oriental Medicine, was examined using the Oketsu score of five Hiesho cases based on the Terasawa Oketsu Diagnostic Criteria. The effects of acupuncture treatment were studied by evaluating Oketsu symptoms and accompanying complaints, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and subjective evaluation of coldness of the hands and feet.
The results were as follows:
1) 100% of the five females with Hiesho were also positive for the Oketsu factor.
2) The Oketsu score showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) upon treatment with acupuncture.
3) An improvement in subjective Hiesho symptoms (VAS) was seen in three of the five cases upon acupuncture treatment.
4) It was suggested that the subjective improvement in Hiesho symptoms, i. e., coldness of the hands and feet, was related to the disappearance of the resistance and pain upon pressure in the ileocecal region that is characteristic of Oketsu, and the improvement in menstrual disorders.