Acupuncture for Circulatory System Disorders in Tuckahoe, NY & Bryant Park, NYC
Healthy circulation is foundational to every aspect of health — delivering oxygen and nutrients to every cell, removing metabolic waste, regulating temperature, and supporting immune function. At Elemental Acupuncture, Dr. Bethany Leddy, DACM, MSOM treats a range of circulatory disorders through acupuncture and Chinese medicine, addressing the root patterns of qi and blood stagnation, deficiency, or dysregulation that underlie poor circulation. With over 22 years of clinical experience and doctoral-level training, Dr. Leddy offers integrative circulatory care that complements conventional cardiovascular treatment and produces measurable improvements in circulation, blood pressure, and vascular health.
Request an AppointmentTCM and Circulatory Health
In traditional Chinese medicine, the Heart governs the blood and the vessels — maintaining the strength and rhythm of circulation throughout the body. The Liver ensures the free flow of qi, which in turn moves blood. When the Heart is strong, the Liver is unobstructed, and qi and blood are sufficient, circulation is healthy. When qi stagnates, blood stagnates with it — producing pain, coldness in the extremities, hypertension from constricted vessels, or poor healing in peripheral tissues.
Acupuncture has documented effects on circulation: it improves peripheral blood flow, reduces arterial stiffness, modulates the autonomic nervous system’s regulation of heart rate and blood pressure, and reduces levels of inflammatory markers associated with cardiovascular risk. Chinese herbal medicine and dietary counseling support these effects with herbs and foods that move blood, tonify heart qi, and reduce cardiovascular inflammation. Dr. Leddy treats hypertension, Raynaud’s phenomenon, peripheral vascular insufficiency, poor circulation, varicose vein support, and recovery from cardiac events as integrative complements to conventional cardiology care. Call (646) 872-1181 or request an appointment at our Tuckahoe or Bryant Park office.
Frequently Asked Questions — Circulatory Disorders
Can acupuncture help with high blood pressure?
Yes. Research demonstrates that acupuncture reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure through its effects on the autonomic nervous system, reducing sympathetic tone and supporting healthy arterial dilation. It is used alongside — not as a replacement for — antihypertensive medications when prescribed.
Can acupuncture improve peripheral circulation?
Yes. Acupuncture improves peripheral blood flow by dilating peripheral blood vessels, increasing local microcirculation, and addressing the qi and blood stagnation patterns in TCM that underlie cold hands and feet, numbness, and poor wound healing.
What circulatory conditions does Dr. Leddy treat?
Dr. Leddy treats hypertension, Raynaud’s phenomenon, peripheral vascular insufficiency, poor circulation in the extremities, varicose vein support, and recovery support after cardiac events, alongside conventional cardiovascular care.
Can acupuncture help with Raynaud’s phenomenon?
Yes. Raynaud’s — characterized by extreme cold sensitivity and color changes in fingers and toes — is understood in TCM as cold obstructing the channels combined with yang deficiency or qi and blood stagnation. Acupuncture, moxibustion, and warming herbal formulas address these patterns effectively.
Is acupuncture safe for patients on blood thinners?
Patients on anticoagulant therapy can still receive acupuncture with appropriate modifications — using fewer needles, lighter stimulation, and avoiding certain locations. Dr. Leddy assesses each patient’s medication status and adjusts her technique accordingly.
Can diet affect circulation?
Yes. Foods that generate internal cold, dampness, or blood stagnation — including excessive cold/raw foods, dairy, and refined carbohydrates — impair circulation in TCM. Dietary counseling at Elemental Acupuncture supports vascular health from a TCM and evidence-based nutritional perspective.
Does acupuncture reduce cardiovascular inflammation?
Yes. Research shows acupuncture reduces serum levels of CRP, homocysteine, and other inflammatory markers associated with cardiovascular risk. Combined with herbal medicine and dietary modification, it provides a meaningful anti-inflammatory contribution to cardiovascular health maintenance.