Can Acupuncture Help Cure Low Platelet Count?

Low platelet count is also known as Thrombocytopenia. Blood platelets are colorless blood cells that help blood clot by clumping together and plugging holes in blood vessels. According to Mayo Clinic, underlying conditions such as leukemia, immune system malfunction and certain medication can cause low platelet count. Symptoms include easy to excessive bruising, superficial bleeding to prolonged bleeding, blood in urine or stools and profuse bleeding during surgery. Low platelet count can best be addressed by treating underlying conditions. Sometimes, doctors may suggest medications or surgery. Acupuncture is used in complementary and alternative medicine to address the problem.

What is Acupuncture?

• Acupuncture is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to restore health and treat many medical conditions. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative medicine, this concept is based on the flow of energy, known as qi (pronounced chi) that flows along designated meridians in the body. The flow of qi is in turn determined by the delicate balance of yin (cold or passive aspects of the body) and yang (hot, active aspects). Whenever there is an imbalance of yin and yang, qi is blocked and manifest itself in diseases and ill-health. In TCM, acupuncture is used to release trapped qi to restore life force by inserting thin needles at strategic points along the meridian to unblock qi. This is achieved by inserting the needles by hands or by means of electrical stimulation. Herbs are often prescribed along with acupuncture to restore any imbalance.

Acupuncture and Low Platelet Count

• According to Subhuti Dharmanada, Ph.D., director of the Institute of Traditional Medicine, in Portland, Oregon, the basis for the treatment of low platelet count is based on the fact that a heat (excess of yang) syndrome is causing the blood to escape the blood vessels, resulting in a low platelet count. To rectify the situation, balance yang with cooling herbs or nourish yin by using tonification herbs. A certified TCM practitioner can best advise you on what kind of herbs to use and how to use them. Examples of herbs used include agrimony, imperata, san-chi, rubia, red peony, gardenia, salvia and moutan.

  Subhuti Dharmananda also pointed out that it is important to nurture the health of the spleen for a good platelet count as the spleen produces new blood cells and replenishes yin. If spleen qi is blocked, acupuncture is applied to acupuncture points related to the spleen to release qi. In addition, herbs are used to nourish yin and get rid of excess yang. Qi fortifying herbs include licorice, astragalus, jujube and condopsis. Again, consult a certified practitioner before taking any of these herbs.

Acupuncture Risks

• The National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine points out that there are relatively few complications associated with the use of acupuncture. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles use. However, complications can arise from inadequate sterilization of needles or improper administration of treatment resulting in serious side effects including infection and punctured organs.

  The National Council Against Health Fraud states that acupuncture is an unproven modality of treatment and that there is no conclusive research on the effectiveness of acupuncture to treat any diseases, including low platelet count.