Jade Health Life • Patient Education

How Acupuncture May Influence Smooth Muscle Tone & Local Circulation

針灸如何影響平滑肌張力與局部循環

A modern–TCM integrative explanation for uterine fibroids and menstrual pain.
以現代生理學＋中醫癥瘕／瘀血觀點，說明針灸如何作為輔助調理經痛和子宮肌瘤。

Key points / 重點

• May modulate autonomic balance → smooth muscle relaxation / 可能調節自律神經 → 平滑肌放鬆
• May support microcirculation & tissue perfusion / 可能改善微循環與灌流
• May reduce tissue stiffness via connective tissue dynamics / 可能透過結締組織降低僵硬張力
• Supportive care for symptoms; not a replacement for medical treatment / 屬輔助調理，非取代醫療

Overview / 概述

Uterine fibroids are benign growths that arise mainly from uterine smooth muscle, often with varying degrees of connective tissue and fibrosis. They may be associated with increased uterine muscle tension, reduced local circulation, and menstrual discomfort.
子宮肌瘤為源自子宮平滑肌的良性增生，常合併不同程度的結締組織增生與纖維化；臨床上可能伴隨子宮張力偏高、局部循環不佳與經期不適。

Acupuncture is commonly used as supportive care. From an integrative perspective, its potential effects can be discussed through nervous system regulation, vascular responses, and connective tissue mechanics.
針灸多作為輔助調理；在整合觀點下，可從神經調節、血管反應與結締組織力學來理解其可能影響。

How it may work / 可能的作用層級

1) Autonomic regulation → smooth muscle tone / 自律神經調節 → 平滑肌張力
Acupuncture stimulation may reduce excessive sympathetic activity and enhance parasympathetic responses, creating conditions more conducive to smooth muscle relaxation.
針灸刺激可能降低過度交感神經反應、提升副交感活性，讓平滑肌較容易回到較平衡、較放鬆的張力狀態。

2) Segmental reflexes / 節段反射
Sensory input from needling can engage spinal segmental reflexes that influence organs sharing similar neural pathways—relevant to pelvic organs such as the uterus.
針刺引發的感覺輸入可透過脊髓節段反射，影響共享神經路徑的內臟器官；對骨盆腔器官（如子宮）尤其相關。

3) Vascular responses → microcirculation / 血管反應 → 微循環
Acupuncture has been associated with local vasodilatory signaling (e.g., nitric oxide), potentially relaxing vascular smooth muscle and supporting microcirculatory perfusion.
針灸與局部血管擴張訊號（如一氧化氮）相關，可能使血管平滑肌放鬆並支持微循環灌流。

4) Connective tissue mechanics / 結締組織力學
Mechanical interaction between the needle and connective tissue may influence tissue stiffness and tension transmission, indirectly affecting surrounding smooth muscle and vessels.
針與結締組織之間的機械互動可能影響組織僵硬度與張力傳遞，進而間接影響周圍平滑肌與血管。

Application to fibroids & menstrual pain / 子宮肌瘤與經痛的應用

Fibroids are primarily composed of smooth muscle cells with varying degrees of extracellular matrix accumulation and fibrosis. In some cases, this tissue environment may be associated with increased uterine tone, reduced perfusion, and heightened pain sensitivity.
肌瘤主要由平滑肌細胞構成，並伴隨細胞外基質沉積與纖維化；某些情況下，這樣的組織環境可能與子宮張力升高、灌流不足與疼痛敏感度增加相關。

In this context, acupuncture is not aimed at directly “removing” fibroids. Instead, it may support symptom management by helping regulate uterine smooth muscle tone, supporting pelvic microcirculation, and reducing tissue constriction that can contribute to cramping and discomfort.
在此情境下，針灸並非以「直接移除肌瘤」為目標；而是可能透過調節子宮平滑肌張力、支持骨盆腔微循環、減少緊繃收縮，來協助經痛與不適的症狀調整。

If acupuncture supports circulation, will it “feed” fibroids? / 針灸改善循環會不會「養大」肌瘤？

This is a reasonable question. In everyday thinking, “more blood flow” can sound like “more nutrition,” and therefore “more growth.” However, uterine fibroid growth is not determined by blood flow alone. Circulation changes discussed in acupuncture research are also different in timing and scale from the long-term vascular supply that supports tissue growth.
這是一個很合理的疑問。直覺上，「血流變多」似乎等於「營養更多」，因此可能「長得更快」。但子宮肌瘤的生長並不是由血流單一因素決定；同時，針灸研究中提到的血流改變，與長期支持組織增生的血管供應在時間尺度與程度上也不同。

1) What mainly drives fibroid growth? / 肌瘤變大主要受什麼影響？

The growth of uterine fibroids is primarily associated with hormonal influences and local growth signaling—such as estrogen- and progesterone-related pathways, local cellular proliferation, and accumulation of extracellular matrix (fibrosis). This means fibroids do not typically enlarge simply because “a bit more blood flow” reaches an area for a short period.

子宮肌瘤的生長主要與荷爾蒙影響與局部生長訊號相關，例如雌激素／黃體素相關路徑、局部細胞增殖、以及細胞外基質（纖維化）的沉積。因此，肌瘤並不會因為「某一段時間血流多一點」就快速變大。

2) What kind of “vasodilation” is discussed in acupuncture? / 針灸造成的「血管擴張」通常是什麼型態？

Blood-flow changes discussed in acupuncture research are often described as local and time-limited, with an emphasis on microcirculation (skin, myofascia, and nearby tissues). They are also frequently linked with autonomic regulation, such as reducing excessive sympathetic tension. This is closer to “relaxing constricted microvessels” and improving perfusion in tense tissue—rather than directing a large volume of blood to a mass over a long period.

針灸研究中提到的血流改變，多描述為「局部、短暫」，並以微循環灌流改善為主（皮膚、肌筋膜、鄰近組織），且常伴隨自律神經調節（如降低過度交感緊繃）。這更像是「讓緊縮的微血管放鬆、缺血的組織灌流改善」，而不是把大量血液長時間導向某個腫塊。

3) Better perfusion is not the same as “feeding a tumor” / 「改善灌流」不等於「提供腫瘤養分」

Even if a region temporarily experiences improved perfusion, it may simultaneously be associated with symptom-relevant changes: smooth muscle tone may decrease (reducing cramping and ischemic-type pain), clearance of metabolic by-products may increase (reducing inflammatory irritation), and autonomic balance may improve (lowering pain sensitivity). These changes describe an adjustment in the “symptom environment,” not a direct signal for growth.

即使某區域短暫灌流改善，也可能同時發生：平滑肌張力下降（痙攣與缺血型疼痛減少）、局部代謝廢物清除增加（發炎性刺激降低）、自律神經平衡改善（痛覺敏感度下降）。這些是「症狀環境」的調整，並不等同於「促進生長」。

4) Fibroid vasculature is not the same as normal myometrium / 肌瘤的血管結構本來就「不太一樣」

Fibroids can have vascular patterns, resistance, and perfusion characteristics that differ from normal uterine muscle. Because blood flow is regulated in layers (skin / fascia / uterine muscle / a mass’s vascular bed), relaxing superficial or regional microcirculation does not automatically mean sustained increases in blood supply into a fibroid.

肌瘤的血管分布、阻力與灌流特性可能與正常子宮肌層不同。由於血流調控是分層的（皮膚／肌筋膜／子宮肌層／腫塊血管床），外周或局部微循環的放鬆，並不會自動等同於肌瘤內長時間灌流上升。

5) Practical clinical takeaway / 最實用的臨床結論

In clinical practice, acupuncture is typically positioned as supportive care for symptom management (menstrual cramps, pelvic pressure, fatigue, sleep, stress-related amplification). Concerns about fibroid growth are best addressed through objective follow-up: imaging trends, bleeding volume, anemia indicators, pressure symptoms, and growth rate over time. If a patient is tracking fibroid size, acupuncture can often be used alongside medical follow-up, with ultrasound monitoring at appropriate intervals to keep decisions data-driven.

臨床上，針灸多定位於「輔助症狀管理」（經痛、壓迫感、疲勞、睡眠、壓力相關放大等）。是否需要擔心肌瘤變大，主要仍取決於客觀追蹤：影像變化、出血量、貧血指標、壓迫症狀與成長速度。若病人正在追蹤肌瘤大小，針灸通常可與西醫追蹤並行，並依建議時間做超音波追蹤，用客觀數據協助決策。

Why you may feel more discomfort after abdominal acupuncture / 為什麼腹部針灸後你可能會感到更不舒服

Some people feel more discomfort after abdominal acupuncture rather than immediate relief. This can be relatively common and is usually explained by early-stage regulation: smooth muscle activity may change, local circulation may shift, and previously muted sensations may become more noticeable.
有些人在腹部針灸後會感覺更不舒服而非立刻緩解。這並不少見，常見於「初期調節」階段：平滑肌活動改變、局部循環位移，以及原本被壓低的感受變得明顯。

1) From muted to noticeable / 從被壓低到變得明顯
In long-standing tension or low-perfusion tissue, the body may dampen sensation over time. As signaling and circulation change, sensations can temporarily feel stronger.
長期緊繃或循環不佳的組織，身體可能逐漸降低感受度；當神經訊號與循環開始改變時，感受短時間內反而更強烈。

2) Brief reflex contraction before relaxation / 放鬆前的短暫反射性收縮
The uterus and intestines are smooth-muscle organs. During early regulation, some individuals may feel temporary cramping or pressure before relaxation stabilizes.
子宮與腸道屬平滑肌器官；初期調節時，部分人可能先感到短暫痙攣或壓迫感，之後才逐步穩定放鬆。

3) Circulation shifts / 循環改變
Microcirculatory changes can temporarily increase tissue pressure and sensitivity, felt as soreness or aching.
微循環改變可能短暫增加組織壓力與敏感度，表現為酸痛或不適。

4) Higher responsiveness in pelvic conditions / 婦科狀況者反應更明顯
Menstrual pain, fibroids, endometriosis, or sensitive digestion can be associated with higher pelvic-abdominal responsiveness, so early sensations may be stronger.
經痛、肌瘤、內膜異位或腸胃敏感者，骨盆腔—腹部反應性通常較高，初期感受更明顯。

Mild to moderate discomfort that gradually improves within several hours to one day is often a temporary response. Severe, worsening, or persistent pain is not expected and should be medically evaluated.
若不適屬輕至中等且在數小時至一天內逐漸緩解，多屬短暫反應；若疼痛劇烈、持續或加重，則不屬預期反應，應就醫評估。

TCM viewpoints / 中醫觀點

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, uterine fibroids and chronic menstrual pain are commonly discussed under Zheng Jia (癥瘕) and are frequently associated with Blood Stasis (瘀血), describing impaired circulation and obstruction as functional patterns.
中醫常以「癥瘕」與「瘀血」討論子宮肌瘤與慢性經痛，強調循環受阻與阻滯的功能性型態。

From an integrative biomedical perspective, these descriptions can be discussed alongside increased smooth muscle tone, connective tissue proliferation/fibrosis, and compromised microcirculation. Acupuncture is viewed as supportive care that may modulate tissue tension and perfusion, rather than a direct method to eliminate structural lesions.
從整合醫學角度，可與平滑肌張力升高、結締組織增生／纖維化與微循環受限並置討論；針灸屬輔助調理，可能影響組織張力與灌流，而非直接消除結構性病灶。

FAQ / 常見問題

Will acupuncture make fibroids smaller? / 針灸會讓肌瘤變小嗎？

Acupuncture is generally considered supportive care for symptom management and functional balance. It is not typically presented as a direct method to remove or shrink fibroids. Some people seek acupuncture to support menstrual comfort or pelvic pressure; responses vary.

針灸多被定位為輔助性調理，用於症狀管理與功能平衡，通常不被視為直接「縮小或移除肌瘤」的方法。有些人會用於協助經期舒適度或下腹壓迫感；反應因人而異。

What symptoms might acupuncture help with? / 針灸可能幫助哪些症狀？

Acupuncture may be used to support comfort related to menstrual cramps, pelvic tightness, stress-related symptom amplification, and sleep quality. It is often combined with medical evaluation and lifestyle support.

針灸可用於協助經期痙攣、骨盆腔緊繃感、壓力導致的症狀放大與睡眠品質等；也常與西醫評估與生活方式調整並行。

If acupuncture supports circulation, will it “feed” fibroids? / 針灸改善循環會不會「養大」肌瘤？

Fibroid growth is mainly influenced by hormones and local growth signaling, not simply by short-term changes in regional blood flow. Acupuncture-related circulation changes are typically described as local and time-limited microcirculatory effects. Objective follow-up (ultrasound, bleeding pattern, anemia indicators, symptoms) remains the most practical way to monitor changes over time.

肌瘤生長主要受荷爾蒙與局部生長訊號影響，不是單靠短時間的血流改變就會變大。針灸相關的循環改變多為局部、短暫的微循環效應；仍建議以超音波、出血型態、貧血指標與症狀追蹤作為客觀依據。

When should I seek urgent care? / 什麼情況需要盡快就醫？

Seek medical care promptly if you experience heavy bleeding (soaking pads hourly), severe or worsening pain, dizziness/fainting, fever, or if you might be pregnant and have significant bleeding or pain.

若出現大量出血（例如一小時內浸透衛生棉）、劇烈或加重疼痛、頭暈／昏厥、發燒，或可能懷孕且伴隨明顯出血／疼痛，請盡快就醫。

This page is for education only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.
本頁為健康教育用途，不取代醫療診斷或治療。