Research progress on the acupuncture and external medicine for systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), an autoimmune disorder, is mainly manifested by the skin thickening and hardening, with involvements of the internal organs and blood vessels. Currently, no definitive and effective treatments are available for SSc, and the primary goal is to improve patients' condition. The regimens of traditional Chinese medicine, including filiform needles, fire needles, plum blossom needles and external treatments can effectively improve SSc via signaling pathways that regulate inflammatory factors and immune factors. This article reviews the recent advances in the application of acupuncture and the external medicine in the treatment of SSc in order to benefit the treatment of SSc in the future.