[Use of acupuncture in the treatment of hand ischemia caused by vibration]

An attempt of treatment of hand ischemia caused by vibration using acupuncture has been undertaken in forest workers occupationally exposed to mechanical vibration in the early phase of vascular lesions. The workers have been treated in the Kołobrzeg city sanatorium. The control groups consisted of forest workers of similar age and analogous vascular lesions treated in the sanatorium by balneologic methods (mineral salt bath, underwater whirlpool massage) or by pharmacologic agents (Pridazol, Bametan); some of subjects of control groups have been treated only by the climate therapy without other additives. It has been stated that acupuncture significantly ameliorates or even normalizes the peripheral ischemia of upper extremities induced by vibration, analogously or even better than balneologic therapy. The duration of amelioration period was longer in subjects treated by acupuncture than in those treated with balneologic methods. In contrast, the pharmacologic treatment or the climate therapy remained without effects. The acupuncture therapy is cheaper than balneotherapy and could be used by trained industrial physicians in conditions o outpatient care. However, there is a need for further studies on detailed conditions of acupuncture therapy.