Acupuncture: An Alternative Treatment for
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is an extremely common ailment.
It is suggested that at least 1 in 3 Americans are afflicted with
hypertension; and because there are few obvious symptoms, it can go
undiagnosed for many years. If left untreated hypertension can lead to
a range of serious consequences, including stroke, heart attack, and
kidney failure.
Remedies
for High Blood Pressure
There are many remedies for high blood pressure. The most common form
of treatment, which is highly effective for most patients, is that of a
drug regimen. Pharmacological intervention can lower blood pressure
quickly and effectively. However some patients do not tolerate well the
medications designed to treat hypertension, or would prefer to avoid
prescription drugs when possible. For these people, acupuncture for
high blood pressure may be one alternative to consider.
Acupuncture:
An Alternative to Drug Therapy?
Acupuncture for high blood pressure is a specific form of the general
treatment practice of acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ancient treatment
(dating back about 3000 years) that originated in China, and what
happens is that practitioners insert thin, specialized needles at
various points on the body in order to relieve pain and illnesses.
While the actual mechanics of how the remedy works are still largely
unknown, acupuncture has been advocated for a range of illnesses, from
depression and stress reduction to infertility and weight loss.
Recent clinical studies suggest that acupuncture for high blood
pressure may work primarily by changing the way the brain controls the
respiratory system – decreasing oxygen demand which means the
heart doesn’t work as hard and blood pressure drops. One
study
suggests acupuncture for hypertension only works when accompanied by
small electrical pulses.
So far, only animal clinical trials have been conducted, but the next
step will be testing acupuncture for high blood pressure in human
volunteers.
One crucial decision made by acupuncture practitioners is the placement
of the needles. In the clinical trial, acupuncture for high blood
pressure was conducted on what would be the wrists and forearms of
humans. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that acupuncture for
hypertension can be effective on other areas of the body as well.
Acupuncture for hypertension should only be used as a complement to
other proven methods for lowering blood pressure – increasing
exercise, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, reducing salt
intake and stress; and when indicated by your doctor, medication.
Nonetheless, acupuncture for high blood pressure is one more weapon in
the arsenal for fighting this all too common and potentially deadly
disease. | |
