Hypertension affects about 1.28 billion people between the ages of 30-79 worldwide, and less than half of those people are diagnosed and treated. Fortunately, studies have shown acupuncture to lower blood pressure due to various factors that are naturally activated by acupuncture treatment. Since this is the case, many patients are seeking acupuncture for high blood pressure as it can not only help get their blood pressure under control, but also because this can potentially decrease the risk of heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, myocardial infarction, and peripheral artery disease in hypertensive patients.
Conventional treatment of hypertension usually involves managing symptoms with medication to hopefully lower blood pressure, and sometimes patients can be on this for the remainder of their lives. Although there are instances where medication is needed, acupuncture treatment can help lower blood pressure in patients to reduce or eliminate the need for medications.
Understanding Conventional Treatment for Hypertension
It is essential as acupuncture providers we are aware of the basics regarding hypertension, and what to look out for in our patients. Hypertension in simplistic terms is high blood pressure which happens when the force of the blood is persistently too high against the artery walls. This can lead to an increase in risk of various serious health conditions. Conventional treatment will look at the person’s symptoms and try to manage the high blood pressure with lifestyle changes first, and then medications if necessary.
Hypertension Symptoms:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nosebleeds
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
These are the main symptoms, but more serious cases can experience other symptoms like confusion, buzzing in the ears, blurred vision, abnormal heart rhythm, and nausea or vomiting.
Conventional Lifestyle Recommendations to Manage Hypertension:
- Less salt in the diet
- Exercise regularly
- Get enough sleep
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Quit smoking
- Manage stress
- Decrease of stop alcohol consumption
Other risks of increasing blood pressure include thyroid problems, kidney problems, diabetes, and sleep apnea. Truth be told, unless the blood pressure reaches very high levels, many patients do not show symptoms which is why it often goes unnoticed unless the patient happens to be at a check-up. However, even with no visible symptoms, having high blood pressure can still damage the heart and blood vessels increasing risk of stroke or heart attack. Fortunately, unlike some medical conditions, hypertension is easily detected.
Blood Pressure Reading:
- Top number – this is the systolic blood pressure measuring the force on the artery walls when the heart beats.
- Bottom number – this is the diastolic blood pressure measuring the force on the artery walls when the heart is relaxed or between beats.
Blood Pressure Numbers:
- Normal – lower or equal to 120/80 mmHg
- Elevated – top number ranges from 120-129 mmHg, and the bottom number is below 80 mmHg
- Hypertension Stage 1 – top number ranges from 130-139 mmHg, or the bottom number is between 80-89 mmHg
- Hypertension Stage 2 – top number reaches 140 mmHg or higher, or the bottom number reaches 90 mmHg or higher
- Hypertensive Emergency – a blood pressure reading that reaches higher than 180/120 mmHg, and the patient should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If the hypertension gets well above normal range, conventional doctors will prescribe medication to get the blood pressure under control and avoid more serious issues from occurring.
Medications:
- ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme) which relaxes the blood vessels
- ARB blockers (angiotensin II receptor blockers) which also relaxes the blood vessels
- Diuretics which withdraws excess sodium and water from the body
- Calcium channel blockers, which also relaxes the blood vessels
Conventional treatment does have its space, especially if the patient is experiencing excessively high blood pressure needing to avoid a life-threatening situation. However, acupuncture treatment can help patients lower their blood pressure so that they do not even get to that point.
Acupuncture for Hypertension
Acupuncture works for lowering blood pressure by stimulating the neuroendocrine system in the body as well as vascular endothelium, limbic system, and other systems.
Acupuncture Works for Hypertension By:
- Increasing natural opioids – acupuncture stimulates the release of opioids within the brainstem which controls blood pressure.
- Decrease renin activity – renin, the enzyme which curates the conversion of angiotensin I and II potentially increasing blood pressure, and acupuncture treatment can decrease the activity of renin.
- Relaxes the effects on the walls of the veins and arteries aiding in decreasing blood pressure.
- Increases levels of neurotransmitter dopamine aiding in regulating blood pressure.
TCM’s goal is to boost the flow of blood and energy as in the majority of cases, there is some type of stagnation in circulation. Acupuncture can also promote oxygenation in the blood and enhance the delivery of nutrients to various parts of the body including the blood vessels decreasing the strain on the heart. In addition, acupuncture helps manage the risk factors associated with high blood pressure, not least of which is stress.
Potential TCM Diagnostic Patterns for Hypertension:
- Liver Yang Rising
- Liver Fire
- Liver Wind
- Blood Stagnation
- Liver Yin Deficiency
- Kidney Yin Deficiency
- Kidney Yang Deficiency
- Spleen & Stomach Damp Heat
Obviously, in a clinical setting there are any number of diagnostic patterns that can present themselves. Each pattern, as we know, has their own set of signs and symptoms as well as treatment points, and will depend on the patient’s presenting tongue and pulse as well as presenting symptoms.
Acupuncture Points for Hypertension:
- LI18
- ST9
- KD1
- SI17
- ST11
- LI11
- ST36
- ST40
- GB20
- LV3
Apart from standard acupuncture treatment, there are also a great deal of herbs that are helpful when trying to lower or regulate a patient’s blood pressure.
Herbs for Hypertension:
- Ge Gen (Kudzu Root) – has an acrid, sweet, and cool taste/temperature. It clears heat, nourishes fluids, and alleviates stomach heat as well as externally contracted heat entering the Spleen and Stomach channels.
- Da Ji (Japanese Thistle) – enters the Liver and Spleen channels, and has a sweet and cool taste/temperature. It cools the blood, decreases swelling, and helps hypertension especially when from Liver Fire or Liver Heat.
- Sang Bai Pi (Mulberry Root Bark) – it drains Lung Heat, and enters the Lung and Spleen channels, and has a sweet and cold taste/temperature.
- Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark) – it tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, encourages Qi and blood circulation, and tonifies yang. It enters the Liver and Kidney channels, and has a warm, acrid, and sweet taste/temperature.
- Sang Ji Sheng (Mulberry Mistletoe Stem) – it tonifies Kidney and Liver yin, nourishes the blood, and expels wind-damp joint pain. It enters the Kidney and Liver channels, and has a neutral and bitter taste/temperature.
- Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit) – decreases and moves food stagnation out. It enters the Stomach, Liver, and Spleen channels, and has a warm, sour, and sweet taste/temperature.
In addition to these, some popular herbs recommended for hypertension include cinnamon, basil, flax seed, ginger, basil, cardamom, garlic, and Cat’s claw.
High blood pressure is the culprit of premature death worldwide; contributing to 670,000 deaths in the U.S. alone in 2020. Although more research is needed, acupuncture has proved effective in treating hypertension so that patients don’t get to the point where they need emergency attention or risk fatality.
According to a study from 2023, Efficacy of Acupuncture for Hypertension in the Elderly, it showed that acupuncture had the same efficacy as hypertensive medications, and showed the potential for improved remission rates in addition to decreasing the need for hypertensive medications. More research is always needed and encouraged with acupuncture treatment for all conditions, but it is evident that acupuncture is beneficial for hypertension.