Acupunctureis very effective at reducing high blood pressure and the subject of much research by Chinese and Western medical professions today. The World Health Organization has found that acupuncture is more potent than placebos and is comparable with certain conventional drugs taken to lower blood pressure. In a recent trial conducted in China and analyzed at Tufts University, 86.1% of the trial group of patients receiving both ear and body acupuncture experienced a drop of at least 20 mm Hg or a return to within normal range.1

In addition to treating mild to moderate hypertension, acupuncture can work as an adjunct to prescription drugs to lower entrenched hypertension that is not responding as well as desired to medication.

How Does Acupuncture Work in Treating Hypertension

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hypertension is usually seen as a pattern of excess Heat or Stagnation affecting the Liver, Gallbladder, or Heart channels. In some cases, there can be additional Phlegm patterns, which block the Heart channels or a Deficiency of Yin.

Acupuncture points are selected that have been clinically found to create a hypotensive effect (e.g., relax the heart valves and lower their pressure at contraction and relaxation). Using points to calm the mind, rid the body of excess fire, tonify the yin, and regulate the Qi flow through the channels will help build lasting health long-term. Acupuncture is also effective at relieving subjective symptoms and has no side effects.

What to Expect in Treating Hypertension with Acupuncture

Pre-hypertension

Pre-hypertension (measured between 120 - 139 mmHg over 80 - 90 mmHg) can generally be effectively treated with two treatments weekly for two to four weeks. Sustained lowering of pre-hypertension is longer if diet modifications are made and/or if herbs are taken in conjunction with treatment.

Hypertension

With hypertension, acupuncture is generally very effective after a three month course. We will work with your doctor to maintain and then slowly lower your hypertensive prescriptions as we see improvement.

Treatment Modalities

Treatment modalities for high blood pressure include acupuncture, herbs, ear seeds (small seeds that are stuck to the ear that can be manually stimulated by the patient), and suggestions for dietary improvements.

Western Medicine Treatment for High Blood Pressure

What is Hypertension

Hypertension describes a condition in which the pressure of your heart vessels' contractions or resulting relaxation is higher than normal. Hypertension can indicate stress on the valves of your heart or on the heart muscle itself, which is why Western medicine treats hypertension very seriously. It is also an indicator of heart disease.

Normal blood pressure is at or below 120 over 80 (written as 120/80 mmHg). If either or both of these numbers are higher than 120/80 mmHg, you may have hypertension.

The top number is your systolic pressure, the pressure created when your heart beats. It is considered high if it is consistently over 140.

The bottom number is your diastolic pressure, the pressure inside blood vessels when the heart is at rest. It is considered high if it is consistently over 90.

Pre-hypertension is when your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 139 or your diastolic blood pressure is between 80 and 89 on multiple readings.

Western Treatment of Hypertension

Western treatment uses pharmaceutical drugs to relax your heart muscle to lower your blood pressure. There are several categories of agents prescribed:

Diuretics decrease the amount of fluid flowing through your blood vessels, which reduces pressure on the walls of your arteries. They are generally prescribed as the first line of defense against high blood pressure. They are safe, but do have some side effects. The most common side effect of diuretics is increased urination. People who take diuretics may also have too much potassium in their blood (hyperkalemia) if they take a potassium-sparing diuretic, or too little potassium in their blood (hypokalemia) if they take a thiazide diuretic. Other side effects of diuretics may include: low sodium in your blood (hyponatremia), increased blood sugar, increased cholesterol, rash, joint disorders (gout), and impotence in men.

ACE Inhibitors (e.g. medications ending in “pril”) Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors help relax blood vessels by preventing an enzyme in your body from producing a substance that can raise your blood pressure. The most common side effect is a dry cough. However, they can produce life threatening side effects in blacks and smokers and are contraindicated with NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, because their efficacy is reduced.

Beta Blockers (e.g. Atenolol, Metropolol) are generally easy to take and without many side effects. Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. When you take beta blockers, the heart beats more slowly and with less force, thereby reducing blood pressure. In effect, they relax the heart. Beta blockers also help blood vessels open up to improve blood flow. Their effect on blood pressure is usually relatively fast and they can be taken long-term. Side effects can be cold hands, dizziness, fatigue, and weakness. People with asthma will generally need to avoid beta blockers because it can lead to fluid build up in the lungs. Beta blockers have been shown to have reduced efficacy among black people.

Calcium Channel Blockers (e.g. Norvasc) prevent calcium from entering cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, resulting in lower blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers, also called calcium antagonists, relax and widen blood vessels by affecting the muscle cells in the arterial walls. Some of the medications in this class have the added benefit of slowing your heart rate, which can further lower blood pressure, relieve chest pain (angina) and control an irregular heartbeat. While Calcium Channel Blockers have been shown to be less effective than other medications for most people, they have shown to be highly effective for blacks. Side effects of Calcium Channel Blockers may include: constipation, headache, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), rash, drowsiness, flushing, nausea, and swelling in the feet and lower legs.

You might consider acupuncture in conjunction with or instead of medications if:

• You do not have a history of taking medications and/or do not want to take medications long-term
• You experience side effects
• You have additional cardiac symptoms or heart problems and want to work toward restoring health long-term
• Your blood pressure continues to be difficult to control even with medication

In each of these instances, Shen Bai Acupuncture will gladly work with you and your Western practitioner to provide treatment and then slowly and appropriately reduce your blood pressure medication and/or provide supplemental support in lowering your blood pressure to ensure you are on the minimum dose needed to protect your heart and your health. Please do not reduce your blood pressure medication without the guidance of a doctor.