- Art of Wellness Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)11704 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 295, Los Angeles, CA, 90025
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Recent Posts
- How to Treat Dystonia With Acupuncture and TCM
- Can Acupuncture Help Bad Breath?
- How to Treat Atopy with Acupuncture and TCM
- Plantar Fasciosis Treatment With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Protect Yourself When Air Quality Is Poor
- How to Treat Spinal Headache With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Sarcoidosis With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Flu With Acupuncture and TCM
- Chinese New Year 2025 Year of the Snake
- How to Treat Lumbar Stenosis With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Wrist Pain With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Cervical Radiculopathy With Acupuncture and TCM
- How To Treat Frozen Shoulder With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Pelvic Congestion Syndrome With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Splenomegaly (Enlarged Spleen) With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Bone Spurs With Acupuncture and TCM
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How to Treat Dystonia With Acupuncture and TCM
By Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Writer’s cramp? Foot cramps and spasms in your calf muscles? Cramps that cause your toes to curl up or big toe to stick up? These are signs of dystonia, a disorder that causes muscles to contract, causing painful spasms and uncontrollable twisting of body parts. Acupuncture can help relieve symptoms of dystonia and reduce cramping.
Dystonia is a movement disorder that can affect one part of the body, such as the hand, or several parts of the body, causing painful cramping and involuntary muscle contractions.
Dystonia most often affects the hands, feet, and neck (cervical dystonia or neck dystonia). When the cramping only happens in one area, this is known as focal dystonia, i.e. focal dystonia hand, or focal hand dystonia.
Acupuncture can help relieve symptoms of dystonia without injections or surgery.
Top 5 Kinds of Dystonia
Dystonia muscle cramping and spasming can happen in various parts of the body, including:
- Neck (Cervical Dystonia) – spasm pulls the head to one side forward or backward.
- Hand – usually triggered by a certain activity, like writing, playing an instrument, or playing golf.
- Jaw – (Oromandibular Dystonia) – causes trouble with chewing, swallowing or drooling, can happen concurrently with cervical dystonia.
- Eyelids (Blepharospasm) – spasms cause the eyelids to close, can also feel like dry eyes, sensitivity to light. Can be triggered by light, screens, and stress.
- Vocal Cords (Laryngeal Dystonia) – strained voice, only able to speak in a whisper.
For some people, dystonia does not cause pain, while for others, it can become increasingly painful. In some cases, dystonia may plateau; in others, it gets progressively more severe.
Over time, some types of dystonia can lead to the deterioration of joints and arthritis.
What Causes Dystonia?

Medical science is not entirely clear on the specific causes of dystonia. There may be some genetic predisposition for dystonia. Some types of dystonia show up without any seeming correlation to other issues (primary dystonia). Other kinds of dystonia manifest as symptoms of another disorder affecting the nervous system.
Muscle spasms can be a symptom of several different disorders, including:
- Huntington’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- Brain injury or brain tumor
- Encephalitis
- Tuberculosis
- Carbon monoxide poisoning or heavy metal poisoning
Some types of dystonia can be brought on by a specific physical activity. Mental, emotional, and physical stress can also trigger an episode of dystonia cramping.
Some studies have suggested that there is a problem with motor programming, or a deficiency in the motor cortical network of the nervous system.
Treatment for Dystonia
The most common form of treatment for focal dystonia, such as the kind that causes “writer’s cramp,” is botulinum neurotoxin (BNT or Botox) injections. This is a localized treatment that helps relieve symptoms by blocking the release of chemicals involved in muscular contractions.
Patients feel their muscles relax within a few days or a week. The results of this treatment typically only last for a few months, and then another injection is needed.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical method used to treat dystonia. This involves the implantation of a stimulator that is somewhat like a pacemaker; it is controlled remotely and stimulates parts of the brain that affect muscular contractions.
Acupuncture can be a good alternative treatment modality for reducing the muscle spasms associated with dystonia.
Can Acupuncture Help Dystonia?

TCM theory views most health issues as being related to internal or external pathogenic forces causing imbalance within the organ systems. Organ systems in TCM are interrelated in ways that may seem counterintuitive from the “Western medicine” point of view. For example, in TCM, the actions of the muscles and tendons are related to the liver system.
Pathogenic forces like wind, damp, and heat can arise or attack the organ systems and cause problems. In the case of dystonia, excess wind in the liver affects the tendons and muscles, causing them to be overactivated.
In some cases, dystonia is triggered by emotional stress. If a patient is experiencing anxiety or depression, then that is also a factor that needs to be addressed.
Thus, the acupuncturist will create a treatment protocol designed to use different TCM modalities to address the root cause of the problem and the symptoms. Acupuncture to treat dystonia will address the liver wind and also be used to help relax the muscles. Treatment can also focus on relieving stress and balancing the person’s emotional state.
Acupuncture treatment is often used to help stimulate muscle tone. In cases of dystonia, we will use acupoints on the meridians related to the affected muscles as a way of both suppressing muscle tone and activating it. Some of the muscles related to the area that is cramping up might be hypertonic (tight and rigid), while others might be hypotonic (not active or offering resistance).
One study that looked at acupuncture treatment for cervical dystonia used electromyogram to measure muscle activity, and it showed that shallow placement of acupuncture needles decreased excess activity in the muscles.
Another study looked at patients who had been receiving Botox treatment for their cervical dystonia. They then received a series of 6 sessions of acupuncture treatment. All of the patients reported improvement and two-thirds of the patients intended to continue acupuncture treatments for management of their condition.
Gua sha and other forms of Chinese massage can also be used to help with dystonia.
Moxibustion or moxa, which is a warming herb that is burned near the affected area, can also be helpful to relieve cramping.
Acupuncture Near Me for Dystonia
Dystonia can be a serious disruption to your daily life and activities, making you feel out of control in your body. In some cases, dystonia causes serious pain. If you have been experiencing severe muscle cramping in specific areas, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at Art of Wellness for help. Drs. Tan and Cai have over 35 years of experience helping to treat conditions of all kinds that affect the nervous system and cause musculoskeletal problems.
*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.
Can Acupuncture Help Bad Breath?
By Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Dry mouth, coated tongue? Bad taste in your mouth, breath is always bad? There may be a deeper reason behind halitosis. Acupuncture and TCM can help correct the internal imbalances that are the root cause of bad breath.
How To Get Rid of Bad Breath
Looking for how to get rid of bad breath? Conventional medicine often sees bad breath as a dental issue, related to oral hygiene, gum disease, and bacteria on your tongue and in your mouth.
Recommendations for treating bad breath typically include using antibacterial mouth rinses and toothpastes, scraping your tongue, and flossing.
But what causes bad breath and dry mouth?
Bad Breath Causes

There are many health conditions that can cause bad breath, including:
- GERD – with acid reflux, some of the contents of the stomach come back up into the esophagus, which can smell strong.
- Diabetes – contributes to gum disease and bacterial growth in the mouth because of high glucose levels and poor blood flow to gums.
- Liver disease – breath may have a sulfurous, rotten egg smell, because toxins are not being adequately filtered by the liver.
- Kidney disease – can cause a metallic taste in the mouth, because minerals are not being filtered out through the kidneys.
- Sjogren’s Syndrome – parotid gland dysfunction leads to dry mouth.
- Sinusitis – mucus from sinus infection can smell bad as it drips into the back of the throat.
- Tonsillitis or tonsil stones – infected pus around the membranes of the tonsils can smell.
Other symptoms that often accompany bad breath include:
- Burning sensation on the tongue
- Need to clear your throat all the time
- Buildup on teeth, coated tongue
- Thick saliva
- Bad taste in mouth: metallic taste, sour taste, or bitter taste
Addressing these health issues can help clear up halitosis. But, what if you are experiencing frequent bad breath, and none of these health problems are the cause?
Underlying Causes of Bad Breath

According to TCM theory, bad breath usually arises from imbalances in the internal organ systems. Acupuncture treatment and herbal remedies can address the root causes of bad breath, so that it doesn’t come back.
In TCM, we consider “heat,” “wind,” “dampness,” “dryness,” and so on to be pathogenic factors that can either get into the body from external causes, or arise within the organ systems due to imbalances in Yin and Yang energies, or the obstruction or stagnation of Qi (life force energy).
Dryness and heat are the primary pathogenic factors that might lead to bad breath becoming a problem.
These words sound metaphorical, but they describe the nature of how problems occur within the human body and produce various symptoms. “Fire” or “heat” produces redness, swelling, eruptions of red bumps, thirst, excessive acid, etc.
When we say that pathogenic factors can arise from within, we are also acknowledging that emotions affect our physical and mental health, and vice versa.
Liver fire, or excess Yang energy in the Liver, for example, can arise due to dietary habits, like too much spicy food, or changes in weather, like warming temperatures in the springtime.
Liver heat is also related to feelings of anger and frustration. So, a lot of emotional stress and repressed anger can lead to liver fire problems.
Hot weather can contribute to feeling irritable. We must look at all sides of the problem in order to treat Liver fire and reduce uncomfortable symptoms, like trouble sleeping, and dry mouth.
Patterns of disharmony that can lead to bad breath as a symptoms include:
- Dry Intestine – leads to constipation and dry stool, dry throat and mouth, dizziness, hemorrhoids
- Stomach heat – thirsty all the time, craving for cold drinks, hungry all the time, canker sores, stomach pain, acid reflux, vomiting, feeling hot, acne breakouts
- Excess phlegm – tightness in chest, brain fog, dizziness
Sometimes one imbalance can lead to another. For example, liver fire can lead to fire in the lungs, causing chest pains and respiratory problems. Liver fire moving into the heart can cause angry outbursts, dry throat, and a bitter taste in your mouth.
TCM Nutrition to Address Bad Breath
Rather than simply telling you not to eat garlic, your acupuncturist will talk with you about eating the right foods to cool down the specific type of heat that is affecting your health. In TCM, we view certain foods as being “warming” or “cooling.” Eating more cool and neutral foods and avoiding heat-producing foods can help with halitosis.
An acupuncture practitioner will also assemble an herbal formula designed to address the organ system imbalances that seem to be causing problems.
Acupuncture Near Me for Bad Breath in West Los Angeles
Having bad breath can impede your social life and even your career. Experiencing dry mouth on a regular basis is very uncomfortable. It is important to address these issues, as they are likely an indication that there is something happening deeper under the surface. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at Art of Wellness Acupuncture in Los Angeles, so that we can resolve this issue and help you feel better and more confident in your day to day life.
*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.
Plantar Fasciosis Treatment With Acupuncture and TCM
By Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Foot arch pain? Ache in the bottom of the foot or heel? This condition has commonly been known as plantar fasciitis, but now more practitioners are calling it “plantar fasciosis.” Acupuncture treatment can help relieve arch and foot pain and get you walking comfortably again.
What Is Plantar Fasciosis?
The plantar fascia ligament connects the heel bone to the toes, spanning the whole bottom of the foot. It absorbs shock every time your foot touches the ground, as you walk.
When this band of connective tissue starts to cause you pain, it’s usually due to overuse, overstretching, or wearing shoes that don’t give you enough support and cushioning.
This condition, which is the most common cause of heel pain and pain in the bottom of the foot, has been called “plantar fasciitis” for some time, because it was believed to be caused by inflammation in the connective tissue. The suffix “-itis” means “inflammation,” as in “tendinitis,” “pancreatitis,” and many other health conditions that are related to inflamed tissues.
If the bottom of the foot shows signs of swelling, warmth, and redness, then it is probably related to inflammation.
However, many cases of plantar fascia pain are not caused by inflammation. Sometimes, arch pain is due to a degenerative condition, in which the tissues are breaking down. Microtears in the connective tissues, or cell death, because of lack of blood flow, are often the real problems causing the pain.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciosis
Arch and foot pain when you first get up in the morning is one of the most common signs of plantar fasciitis or plantar fasciosis. This pain can be sharp and stabbing, or more of a dull ache.
Often, walking or exercise makes the foot feel better for a while, but then, after you sit down and rest, and then get back up, the pain flares up again.
The signs that you may have damage in your plantar fascia include:
- Pain in the heel of your foot
- Sore foot arch or foot arch tenderness
- Stiffness in the foot
- Tight Achilles tendon
- Swelling around the heel
Why Does the Bottom of My Foot Hurt?

Lots of activities can cause damage to the sensitive connective tissue in the bottom of your foot. Some of the causes of plantar fasciosis include:
- Standing for long periods of time
- Working out, dancing, or just walking on a hard surface (like a concrete floor or sidewalk)
- Exercising without stretching or warming up your feet and leg muscles
- Wearing shoes with little support, like sandals or flat sneakers
- Walking around barefoot a lot (even at home)
You might be more susceptible if your arches are very high, or if your feet don’t have much of an arch at all. You may also be at higher risk for foot pain if you are carrying a lot of extra weight.
Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis can also contribute to the development of plantar fasciosis.
Plantar Fasciosis Treatment
Typically, a doctor does not even need to perform any special diagnostic testing to conclude that a person is experiencing plantar fasciitis, or “heel spur syndrome.”
A treatment protocol typically includes some stretching exercises, the use of orthotics, OTC pain medications, and possibly corticosteroid injections.
Rest and patience, and a gradual increase of physical activity are usually recommended.
Acupuncture treatment can help by relieving pain and helping to promote healing in the damaged tissues.
Can Acupuncture Help Plantar Fasciosis/Plantar Fasciitis?

TCM takes a holistic approach to treating pain conditions and sports injuries. From the TCM perspective, trauma to the plantar fascia area can lead to stagnation and deficiency in the flow of Qi and blood.
Acupuncture, Tuina massage, and gua sha are all TCM modalities that can help improve blood flow and promote healing.
Pain sensations stem from injury and damage to bodily tissues, but the pain signals themselves are controlled by the central nervous system and brain activity. Acupuncture has been shown to have effects that can calm down this signalling, which can alter how a person experiences feelings of pain.
Medical science is still conducting research to understand how it is that acupuncture treatment works effectively to reduce and relieve pain.
The action and “excitability” of neurons in the hypothalamus are related to pain sensations. It has been suggested that acupuncture treatment may help to change the excitability of the neurons, thus changing the perception of pain.
It has also been suggested that pain in the plantar fascia is related to the activation of trigger points in the muscles of the foot. Electro-acupuncture can help “deactivate” these trigger points to relieve pain.
Acupuncture needling may affect nerve endings in the local area that release vasoactive neuropeptides, which play a key role in blood flow to an area and the release of hormones. It may also reduce electrical activity, or the “twitch” response in muscle tissues.
Acupuncture can also increase the levels of endorphins, serotonin, and noradrenaline released by the body’s own pain relief system, and help to decrease the number of pain signals that are being sent through the central nervous system.
One study compared patients who were given exercises to help with their plantar fasciopathy versus patients who did the exercises and were given acupuncture treatment. The exercise-only group experienced an overall 21% reduction of their pain scores, while the acupuncture group reported a greater than 50% reduction in pain right after the treatments.
How to Help Plantar Fasciosis Pain
Here are a few important tip for how to help heal and prevent foot pain from coming back.
- Wear shoes with a wide toe box and flat heels (not high heels). Be sure to replace your shoes as needed; the cushioning foam in shoes breaks down, even if you haven’t been wearing them often.
- Wearing toe spacers that help create more space around your toes can help by reducing the constriction of blood vessels and getting more blood flow to your whole foot.
- A warm foot bath every night before bedtime, especially with Chinese herbs or Epsom salt, is very helpful for circulation, which is essential for healing damaged connective tissue.
- Warm up properly before your workout, and vary your workouts, so that you are not just engaging in the same repetitive actions every time you exercise.
- Avoid running and walking on concrete surfaces, and avoid exercising outdoors when it is damp, rainy, and cold.
Acupuncture Near Me for Plantar Fasciosis in West Los Angeles
Plantar fasciosis pain can get in the way of your daily exercise routine and make walking painful for months, if you don’t take proper care of it. The right combination of gentle exercise, acupuncture treatment, herbs and nutrition can help you get back to walking normally without pain more quickly. If you are feeling that pain in the bottom of your foot every morning when you get out of bed, please consider coming and seeing Dr. Tan or Dr. Cai to help relieve heel pain.
*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.
How to Treat Spinal Headache With Acupuncture and TCM
By Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Bad headache that feels worse when you sit up and better when you lie down? Severe headache that lasts for days or weeks? This might be a spinal headache, also known as a post-dural headache or low CSF pressure headache. Acupuncture treatment and TCM remedies can help relieve the intense pain of a spinal headache.
What Is a Spinal Headache?
A spinal headache is a type of headache that can occur after medical procedures like a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) or an epidural block, often used during labor and delivery. These headaches are caused by a leak of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which leads to changes in pressure around the brain and spinal cord.
CSF surrounds the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning and support, while also aiding in waste removal from the brain. If the fluid pressure drops—usually due to a tear in the protective meninges—the brain can sag downward when the individual is upright, leading to pain and other symptoms.
During a spinal tap or similar procedure, a needle is inserted into the fluid-filled space around the spinal cord. Occasionally, this puncture can cause spinal fluid to leak out.
When too much fluid escapes, it disrupts the pressure that cushions the brain and spinal cord, potentially leading to a spinal headache. This fluid leakage can cause stretching of the tissues around the brain and nerves that support it, sometimes resulting in the severe pain of a post-dural headache.
What Causes Low CSF Headache?
Common causes of CSF leaks include:
- Having a spinal tap procedure (lumbar punctures).
- Epidural during labor and delivery.
- Injuries to the meninges (the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord).
Spinal headaches affect 10% to 40% of people who undergo lumbar punctures or epidural anesthesia. The symptoms, such as severe, positional headaches, often resolve on their own, but they can last for days or even weeks in some cases.
Spinal Headache Symptoms

The most common symptom of a post-dural headache is positional pain. The headache is worse when you are standing or sitting upright and subsides when you are lying flat.
Typically absent when you wake up in the morning, symptoms often develop shortly after getting out of bed.
Other symptoms of low CSF headache include:
- Headache pain: Dull, throbbing, and worsened by sitting or standing; improved by lying down.
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Hearing loss
- Blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Nausea
- Stiff neck
Treatment for Spinal Headache

While many spinal headaches resolve on their own within a few days to two weeks, persistent cases may require treatment.
In Western medicine, spinal headaches are typically managed with simple measures such as rest, hydration, and over-the-counter pain relievers.
Fluids may be administered intravenously, to help restore CSF pressure.
Drinking caffeinated beverages, like coffee or tea, may be recommended, because caffeine constricts blood vessels and increases cerebrospinal fluid production.
Medications like gabapentin (used to treat nerve pain), hydrocortisone, or theophylline (which may help build more CSF may be prescribed if other remedies are ineffective.
When symptoms persist, more invasive treatments may be needed, such as an epidural blood patch. This procedure involves injecting a small amount of your own blood near the puncture site to seal the leak, offering rapid relief near the site of the leak to seal it. Another option is a glue injection: using X-ray guidance, doctors can seal leaks with medical glue.
In rare cases, surgery might be recommended.
While these methods are effective, they don’t address the underlying imbalances or promote the body’s self-healing capabilities in the way that acupuncture and TCM can.
Can Acupuncture Help Spinal Headache?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, spinal headaches are not viewed as isolated conditions but as manifestations of deeper imbalances within the body.
TCM practitioners consider spinal headaches a type of head pain related to disruptions in the flow of Qi (energy) and Blood in the body.
Several TCM patterns may contribute to spinal headaches:
- Qi and Blood Deficiency: Weakness from CSF loss can lead to a deficiency of Qi and Blood, resulting in fatigue, dizziness, and headaches.
- Kidney Deficiency: The Kidney is closely related to the spine and brain in TCM. A deficiency in Kidney energy can cause spinal fluid imbalances.
- Liver Qi Stagnation: Stress and emotional strain may block the free flow of Qi, intensifying headache pain.
- Phlegm Obstruction: Excess fluids or “Phlegm” in TCM can block energy pathways, leading to dizziness, nausea, and heaviness in the head.

One clinical trial looked at 60 patients in three groups: one group received conventional care with pharmaceuticals for spinal headache, one group received acupuncture treatment, and one group received sham acupuncture (placebo).
The results for the patients who received acupuncture were similar to those who had been given medication and those who had been given acupuncture, while the placebo group had lower scores. This trial concluded that acupuncture was a good alternative to drugs for spinal headache pain.
Another case study followed 6 patients who were suffering from post-dural headaches after having given birth. All of them agreed to receive acupuncture treatment. Four of the patients got immediate relief after starting treatment. Two patients reported having some temporary relief, but then went on to have blood patch procedures.
Acupuncture Near Me for Spinal Headache
Even though a post-dural headache will usually go away on its own within days or weeks, it can seriously compromise a person’s well-being in the meantime. If you or a loved one is experiencing a low CSF headache, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at Art of Wellness Acupuncture in West L.A.. Doctors Tan and Cai have over three decades of experience helping patients find relief from severe headaches due to all kinds of causes.
*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.
How to Treat Sarcoidosis With Acupuncture and TCM
by Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Fever, fatigue, and muscle aches? Swollen lymph nodes, coughing, shortness of breath? Eye pain, or red eyes? These can all be signs of sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disorder. Acupuncture and TCM can help relieve sarcoidosis symptoms.
Sarcoidosis is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by the formation of granulomas—clumps of inflammatory cells—that can affect multiple organs in the body. It most commonly impacts the lungs and lymph nodes, but it can also involve the skin, eyes, heart, musculoskeletal system, and nervous system.
Sarcoidosis typically manifests in young adults, with the highest prevalence observed in individuals in their 20s and 30s, though it can affect people of any age. This condition’s exact cause remains unknown, but researchers believe it results from an overactive immune response to environmental or infectious triggers.
Sarcoidosis can cause serious and even life-threatening complications, especially when it is centered in the lungs. However, the good news is that many cases of sarcoidosis do eventually clear up or go into remission.
Acupuncture, herbs, and other TCM treatments for sarcoidosis can help address underlying issues that contribute to the formation of this autoimmune disorder, as well has help to relieve symptoms. TCM can also help with potential signs of dysautonomia (autonomic nervous system disorders) that can be caused by sarcoidosis.
Types of Sarcoidosis
There are different types of sarcoidosis depending on which organs are affected.
Pulmonary sarcoidosis, which targets the lungs, is the most common form and can lead to chronic respiratory issues.
Musculoskeletal sarcoidosis may cause joint inflammation (arthritis), muscle pain, or bone lesions, sometimes resulting in long-term complications such as osteoporosis.
Sarcoidosis can lead to vascular complications that involve inflammation of small, medium, or large blood vessels. These types of sarcoid-related vasculitis are rare but important to recognize, as they may present with overlapping features of other autoimmune or vascular conditions.
Small-vessel vasculitis in sarcoidosis primarily affects the skin. This type of vasculitis might coexist with sarcoidosis and manifests as petechiae (small red or purple spots on the skin), purpuric spots (purple “blood spots” under the skin, due to broken blood vessels), or infiltrative erythema (raised rash, like welts on skin).
Medium-vessel sarcoid vasculitis often involves pulmonary lymphatic capillaries and may present with systemic symptoms, including fever, arthritis, and cutaneous manifestations (skin rash or lesions).
Sarcoidosis symptoms can vary widely but may include persistent fatigue, fever, shortness of breath, coughing, swollen lymph nodes, and joint pain. Because of its wide range of manifestations, sarcoidosis can be difficult to diagnose and often requires imaging tests, biopsies, and bloodwork.
New Diagnostic Methods for Sarcoidosis

Diagnosing sarcoidosis remains a complex challenge for clinicians because there is no single definitive test for the disease. The diagnosis is often made by combining a thorough clinical evaluation, imaging studies, laboratory tests, and biopsy results. However, emerging research has identified new biomarkers that may help streamline the diagnostic process.
One promising development involves the discovery of type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1) as a potential biomarker for sarcoidosis. A study led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania compared skin samples from sarcoidosis patients to those with granulomas caused by other conditions. They found that levels of ILC1 were significantly higher in sarcoidosis-affected tissues. This trend was also observed in lung granulomas and even in the bloodstream, where sarcoidosis patients showed a 12-fold increase in circulating ILC1 levels compared to healthy individuals.
Sarcoidosis Treatment
The main goals of treatment for sarcoidosis are managing symptoms, reducing the risk of organ damage, and improving the patient’s quality of life. In some cases, sarcoidosis may go into remission, meaning that the condition is no longer causing complications.
Patients with mild or no symptoms might not require treatment, just monitoring. When treatment is necessary, Western medicine focuses on reducing inflammation and suppressing the overactive immune system. These treatments can be highly effective but often come with potential risks and side effects.
Prednisone is usually the first-line treatment for sarcoidosis. This steroid medication suppresses the immune system and reduces inflammation, which can help to improve symptoms and prevent organ damage. However, long-term use of prednisone may lead to significant side effects, such as weight gain, bone loss, high blood sugar, and an increased risk of infection. For this reason, corticosteroid doses are typically tapered once symptoms improve, or alternative medications may be introduced to minimize steroid use.
Methotrexate, a drug commonly used for severe rheumatoid arthritis, is another option for managing sarcoidosis. It is particularly effective in patients with significant organ involvement, such as lung, skin, or joint manifestations. Methotrexate helps to suppress the immune system and can be used in combination with corticosteroids to reduce the need for higher steroid doses.
Drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, which are typically used to treat malaria, can be effective for sarcoidosis that primarily affects the skin or joints. These medications may also be helpful for managing chronic fatigue and muscle pain associated with the condition.
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, like infliximab or adalimumab, are biologic medications that help reduce inflammation. These drugs are often used in patients with severe sarcoidosis, particularly when other treatments have not been effective. TNF inhibitors can be administered intravenously or as an injection under the skin.
Corticotropin is a medication that stimulates the adrenal glands to produce natural steroid hormones. It can be injected under the skin to help manage inflammation and reduce immune system activity, offering an alternative to synthetic corticosteroids.
Acupuncture and other TCM treatments can be helpful for clearing inflammation and relieving symptoms related to sarcoidosis, as well as helping to manage the side effects that may be caused by other medications.
Can Acupuncture Help Sarcoidosis?

In TCM, sarcoidosis is viewed as a condition arising from underlying imbalances in the body. These imbalances are often associated with heat, phlegm, and stagnation of Qi and blood. Granulomas, for example, may be interpreted as accumulations of dampness and phlegm obstructing the free flow of Qi and blood. Furthermore, the systemic inflammation seen in sarcoidosis can be attributed to excessive heat in the body. TCM practitioners focus on identifying the root causes of these imbalances and tailoring treatments to the individual’s unique presentation.
Acupuncture treatments for sarcoidosis aim to reduce inflammation, support the immune system, and restore balance within the body. By stimulating specific acupuncture points, practitioners can promote the smooth flow of Qi and blood, reduce stagnation, and clear heat and dampness. This can help alleviate symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and joint pain, which are commonly experienced by those with sarcoidosis.
Research has shown that acupuncture can help modulate the immune system, reduce stress, and improve quality of life for people with chronic inflammatory conditions. For sarcoidosis patients, regular acupuncture sessions may not only provide symptom relief but also address the underlying imbalances contributing to the disease.
Chinese Medicine diagnosis is different from Western medicine diagnosis. An acupuncture practitioner will look carefully at each individual patient’s specific symptoms, medical history, and foundational constitution to discover the underlying causes of their particular presentation of disease.
In the case of sarcoidosis, possible TCM diagnoses might be:
- Lung Qi Deficiency – presents with symptoms like shortness of breath, weak lung sounds, throat rattling, spontaneous sweating, feeling cold, pale complexion, weak voice. Treatment will seek to tonify Lung Qi to strengthen respiratory function possibly with the inclusion of moxibustion treatment.
- Lung Yin Deficiency – symptoms: breathlessness, night sweats, 5-center heat (warmth in palms, soles, and chest), dry throat, non-productive cough, malar flush, red skin lesions. Treatment goals include nourishing Lung Yin and clearing heat.
- Lung Qi Stagnation – symptoms: chest congestion/blockage, difficulty breathing, emotional grief or melancholy, trouble letting go of the past, and constipation. Treatment will help improve circulation of Lung Qi to relieve stagnation and promote emotional well-being.
- Phlegm in the Lungs- symptoms: Chronic phlegm retention contributing to fibrous tissue and scarring, which can parallel conditions such as chronic bronchitis. There may also be phlegm-related symptoms like congestion or rattling breath. Treatment will seek to nourish Lung Qi, transform phlegm, and circulate Qi to reduce stagnation.
These differential diagnoses reflect the diverse ways in which TCM approaches pulmonary dysfunctions and can be used to tailor treatments for individuals with sarcoidosis, ensuring that the root causes and symptoms are addressed holistically.
Acupuncture for Sarcoidosis Near Me in West Los Angeles
If you or someone you know is suffering with sarcoidosis, or perhaps has some of the symptoms mentioned above, but has not been able to get adequate diagnosis or treatment for their condition, it may be appropriate to seek care from a qualified TCM doctor. Dr. Tan and Dr. Cai at Art of Wellness in Los Angeles, just east of Santa Monica, have over 35 years of experience helping people with all types of autoimmune disorders, skin conditions, respiratory problems, and musculoskeletal pain. We can help you find relief and better health.
*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.