Low blood pressure

For people who get lightheaded on standing, tire easily or run cold, once their physician has looked for the cause. We work alongside that care, including a cardiology or neurology workup for POTS.

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Read through

BothWesternClassical

Two lenses, one plan

Earth 土 is the phase it is most often read through. Here the classical lens leads: differential pattern diagnosis decides the treatment, with the Western picture as context.

The Western lensAnatomy, physiology, biomechanics

Standing up is a test

When you stand, gravity pulls blood toward the legs, and the autonomic nervous system tightens vessels and speeds the heart within seconds to keep the brain supplied. When that reflex is slow, or blood volume is low, pressure drops and the head feels it.

Orthostatic hypotension: A fall in pressure soon after standing, often with lightheadedness. Medications, dehydration and aging are common contributors.
POTS: The heart rate climbs sharply on standing, often without a large fall in pressure. It is diagnosed and managed by a cardiologist or neurologist.

The classical lensChannels, patterns, the five phases

The clear yang that should rise

In this reading the Spleen (脾) not only makes qi from food but also lifts it, sending clear yang up to the head. When that lifting qi is weak, the head is short of what it needs whenever you stand, and the fatigue sits in the limbs.

The pulse tells the depth: A soft, empty pulse points to the center; a deep, slow one with cold limbs and a sore lower back reaches down to Kidney yang.

Patterns we often see

Middle qi sinking zhōng qì xià xiàn 中氣下陷
Qi and yin deficiency qì yīn liǎng xū 氣陰兩虛
Heart and Kidney yang deficiency xīn shèn yáng xū 心腎陽虛

Patterns are examples of how this is often read, never a diagnosis. Yours is read at your visit.

How we work: one plan

A visit usually combines acupuncture to lift and strengthen, moxibustion where cold and sinking lead, and a classical formula chosen from your pattern and checked against your medications. Food advice is part of it. Your physician's plan for fluids, salt and any medication stays in place.

What low blood pressure is

Low blood pressure is only a problem when it causes symptoms: lightheadedness or a gray-out on standing, fatigue, cold hands and feet, brain fog, nausea or fainting. Some people simply run low and feel fine. The causes range widely, including dehydration, medications, heart rhythm and valve problems, blood loss, hormone conditions and disorders of the autonomic nervous system such as POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), where the heart races on standing. Your physician looks for the cause first; new dizziness after a medication change is worth raising with them straight away.

Qi that cannot lift

The classical reading often begins with the center. The Spleen makes qi from food and is said to hold things up, and when its qi is weak the clear yang does not rise to the head, so standing brings a fog or a spin. For this picture a practitioner might consider Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction). When thirst, sweating and a fine, weak pulse join the fatigue, qi and yin are both thin, and a formula such as Sheng Mai San (Generate the Pulse Powder, 生脈散) might be considered instead. In the coldest, most worn-out pictures, the yang of the Heart and Kidney is low as well.

How we work with it

Acupuncture aims to lift and build, often with warming moxibustion at the crown or the lower back when cold and sinking are part of the picture. A classical formula is chosen from your pattern and checked against your medications. Dietary therapy leans toward warm, regular meals that do not leave you heavy.

Together we watch how often you get lightheaded, how long you can stand, morning energy and warmth in the hands and feet, and you keep your physician informed.

Formulas here illustrate how pattern diagnosis shapes treatment. They are not recommendations; a practitioner selects and adjusts formulas for the individual.

Questions people ask

Can acupuncture help low blood pressure?

Acupuncture and herbs are used as supportive care for the tiredness, lightheadedness and cold that come with low blood pressure, and research is limited. We treat your pattern alongside your physician and do not promise a change in your readings.

Do you work with POTS?

We see people with POTS-type symptoms as supportive care, after a cardiology or neurology workup. The salt, fluid, compression and medication plan from that team stays in place, and we work alongside it.

What should I do if I faint?

Fainting needs a medical evaluation, and fainting with chest pain, a racing or irregular heartbeat, a head injury or trouble breathing means call 911. Tell your physician about any new fainting before you come to us.

This is general wellness information, not medical advice.

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