Acupuncture for High Blood Pressure: How to Treat the Symptoms of Hypertension with Alternative Medicine?

Acupuncture has been a prevalent topic lately, especially since many people decide to try it after many unsuccessful treatments. Acupuncture, alongside other alternative medicine approaches, is widely used to address many diseases associated with different health aspects, bringing significant outcomes to the patients.

Although it is commonly used for treating pain, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has other purposes, as well. For instance, acupuncture for hypertension is one of the most critical approaches in treating the issues provoked by high blood pressure. It is entirely safe, painless, and efficient, delivering long-lasting results that improve a person’s overall health.

Hypertension can be quite dangerous if it goes untreated. Hence, let’s learn more about its impact and the most optimal high blood pressure treatment options that work.

Makari Wellness: The Most Innovative Methods of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine for Hypertension

Mike Woodworth, the founder of Makari Wellness and one of the most prominent Chinese herbalists in San Diego, CA uses alternative methods for treating symptoms of hypertension and similar cardiovascular conditions. His holistic approaches have helped many people cure their diseases and feel improvements in both physical and emotional aspects of their lives.

Don’t hesitate to call us at (888) 871-8889 and learn more about herbal therapies and acupuncture for high blood pressure.

Michael Woodworth

A Brief Hypertension Overview: Essential Facts

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is quite a common disease characterized by the blood’s consistently high force against your artery walls. Such a condition can eventually cause severe heart problems, so it is essential to treat it and change some lifetime habits that could cause high blood pressure.

High blood pressure often goes unnoticed and with no symptoms. However, it can still damage your blood vessels and heart, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Luckily, hypertension can be easily detected, which gives you enough time to plan your treatment.

Signs of hypertension are usually noticeable when the blood pressure reaches exceptionally high levels. You may feel headaches, shortness of breath, or even nosebleeds, but these symptoms aren’t specific and directly associated with high blood pressure.

What is the Best Treatment for High Blood Pressure?

As soon as you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension, you should start working with your practitioner to control it and prevent the further onset of heart diseases and other potentially harmful conditions.

Apart from drug therapies, which are a relatively common solution for hypertension, your practitioner may suggest significant lifestyle changes and some alternative approaches that will help you lower your blood pressure and decrease the risk of developing heart disease.

Acupuncture and High Blood Pressure: Procedures and Benefits

Acupuncture for high blood pressure is one of the most commonly suggested therapies for patients who deal with this type of health issue. It has shown remarkable results in lowering the risk of developing certain conditions provoked by hypertension, and although it often brings certain concerns, acupuncture is safe, painless, and incredibly efficient.

A typical acupuncture session involves using acupuncture needles – small, stainless steel, and delicate objects that the practitioner places on your skin’s surface, stimulating essential acupoints found all over your body. The stimulation of those points encourages energy and blood flow, the two main factors that impact your general health. The exact number of therapies will be determined based on your overall condition and how soon you start to feel improvements.

Acupuncture is often used alongside other treatments, such as herbal therapies, moxibustion, diet modifications, or electrostimulations (electroacupuncture). That way, the overall approach is much more fruitful and efficient, and the results you get are visible and long-lasting.

Benefits of Acupuncture for High Blood Pressure

We have already mentioned the vital acupoints in the human body, but let’s discuss their role.

Acupuncture aims to release the vital energy that flows through meridians – invisible pathways that connect one body part to another. Acupuncture needles are strategically placed near those meridians in order to enhance the flow of blood and energy. In most cases, the stagnation in their circulation leads to the onset of many heart-related and similar conditions.

The stimulation of such pathways sends impulses to the brain and activates many different areas. That being said, acupuncture can help improve the symptoms of pain and headaches and regulate the cardiovascular system, depending on what body areas are being addressed.

When addressing hypertension, a certified practitioner chooses the exact acupuncture points for high blood pressure, whose stimulation regulates its levels:

  • LV3: This point is located on the foot, and it is vital for pain reduction and blood and energy flow stimulation.
  • LI11: It is located at the elbow, and it is one of the strongest points in the body for clearing heat.
  • GB20: This point is vital for reducing headaches, which can be provoked by high blood pressure. You can find it at the top of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
  • ST36: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the stimulation of ST36 acupoint promotes general health and well-being.
  • ST40: By addressing ST40, you will feel significant improvements in your heart health. This point is also excellent for treating chronic conditions.

Electroacupuncture as One of the Most Efficient High Blood Pressure Treatment Solutions

Electroacupuncture is a more advanced version of traditional acupuncture that involves electrostimulation instead of manual insertion. Electroacupuncture has shown excellent results in lowering blood pressure and other conditions associated with hypertension, including anxiety, stress, and headaches.

Practitioners tend to combine electroacupuncture with other natural methods, such as Chinese herbs, in order to provide better and more long-lasting results.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine for Hypertension

Chinese herbal medicine is widely used for treating different health conditions, and it is considered one of the best drug-free therapies you are encouraged to try. We at Makari Wellness use various herbal formulas to address high blood pressure in patients, especially since this type of treatment has a direct influence over circulation and inflammation.

Apart from preventing further development of internal conditions, herbal therapy supplies the body with various substances that can be used to generate fluids. That way, the risk of developing life-threatening blood pressure levels will be significantly lowered, and the improvements will be noticeable.

Although they are generally safe, it’s not recommended to take herbal therapies without prior consultation with your practitioner. Some herbs may produce side-effects or interfere with other medications you may be using, especially if taken in large quantities.

Here is the list of the most commonly recommended herbs for hypertension:

high-blood-pressure-natural-treatment
  • Basil: Adding some fresh basil to your diet is not only delicious, but it is also quite healthy. Basil is rich in substances that can block particular chemicals that tighten blood vessels, leading to a drop in blood pressure.
  • Cinnamon: Another tasty seasoning that has a positive impact on your health is cinnamon. You can easily add it to your daily diet and lower your blood pressure significantly.
  • Cardamom: This seasoning originates from India, and it’s often used in South Asian cuisine. It has a positive impact on regulating blood pressure, and it’s recommended to include it in your meals whenever you can.
  • Flax seed: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, flax seed is excellent for regulating blood pressure and glucose levels, whose imbalance leads to severe cardiovascular diseases. The best way to include flax seed in your meals is by obtaining whole or ground seed, which acts as an antioxidant.
  • Garlic: Garlic has the ability to lower your blood pressure by helping to increase nitric oxide, a vital substance in the body that makes your vessels relaxed and dilated.
  • Ginger: This versatile ingredient has provided great results in lowering blood pressure by improving blood circulation and promoting the relaxation of the muscles surrounding blood vessels.
  • Celery seed: This herb has been widely used for treating hypertension in China. Since it is about a strong diuretic, celery can decrease your blood pressure and help you maintain optimal blood pressure levels.
  • French lavender: This beautiful herb lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and you are encouraged to use it as a culinary herb in both meals and baked goods.
  • Hawthorn: This herb has been used in Chinese medicine for more than a thousand years. It is beneficial for cardiovascular diseases, and it has a strong effect on blood pressure. Hawthorn is also useful for preventing the hardening of the arteries and lowering cholesterol.
  • Cat’s claw: This is another herb that has been commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It acts on calcium channels in your cells, which is why it is considered useful for lowering blood pressure.

Your Chinese herbalist will suggest the right herbal formula based on your condition, and you will use it alongside regular acupuncture/electroacupuncture sessions.

Moxibustion: A High Blood Pressure Natural Treatment

Moxibustion is another approach that originates from Eastern medicine. It involves the burning of moxa (mugwort) directly or indirectly at the acupuncture points, causing a strong therapeutic effect. Unlike acupuncture, which uses needles, moxibustion is based on the heat stimulation of the acupoints. The heat stimulation reduces inflammation, and stops the progression of cardiovascular conditions, alleviating the signs of hypertension.

It is often combined with other treatments, like acupuncture and herbal remedies.

Acupressure for Lowering Blood Pressure

Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but it uses the fingers or blunted objects instead of needles to stimulate acupoints. Acupressure involves the pressure of points on the surface rhythmically in order to encourage the production of the body’s natural self-curative abilities – that way, the risk of developing life-threatening heart issues is significantly lowered.

So, the answer to the question Can acupressure reduce blood pressure? is yes. Still, you should consult your practitioner before you start any acupressure treatment to avoid potential side-effects.

Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Diet and lifestyle changes are a key to regulating blood pressure. Lousy lifestyle habits are commonly the reason people develop hypertension, and the following ones increase its risk:

  • Obesity: Being overweight can cause a lot of conditions, including hypertension. Hence, it’s vital to maintain a healthy weight and prevent further complications.
  • Lack of physical activity: Inactive people are more prone to developing hypertension, which is why it is recommended to increase physical activity.
  • Smoking: The chemicals in tobacco increase the risk of hypertension by damaging your artery walls’ lining.
  • Alcohol abuse: Drinking too much alcohol can damage your heart over time. It is essential to drink responsibly to prevent imbalances in all the spheres in your life.
  • Stress: Too much stress is another factor that affects your blood pressure. Adequate stress management is always a convenient solution, and you are encouraged to start it as soon as possible.
  • Too much salt in your diet: Salty food may cause your body to retain fluid, which increases blood pressure.

Untreated hypertension can lead to many complications, including heart attack, stroke, dementia, and more. The sooner you start the treatment, the more the chances you will have to bring balance to your blood pressure and live a long, healthy life. The holistic approach of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, in general, will help you understand the risks of this condition and make you change your lifestyle, diet, and habits.