Hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases which, if not properly diagnosed and treated on time, can lead to fatal conditions like heart disease and stroke. Normal blood pressure in a healthy adult measured with a sphygmomanometer is approximately 120-100/85-60, with the highest number being systolic and the lowest being diastolic. People with bp greater than 130/80 are said to have high BP.
Also known as “the silent killer”, hypertension rarely causes symptoms and if left untreated it can cause various problems such as;
• Myocardial infarction
• Stroke
• Renal insufficiency
• Heart failure
• Eye sight problems
In addition to allopathic medications, which can have serious side effects and lifestyle changes, acupuncture has been found to be very effective in normalizing BP. Many people prefer to receive acupuncture treatment for hypertension from a well-qualified and experienced acupuncturist. The experienced acupuncturist will diagnose your health condition, discover possible causes of high blood pressure, and insert very fine needles into specific key points on your body, especially on the inside of your wrist and parts of your legs below the knee. Insertion of these hair-thin needles stimulates the areas of the brain that control blood pressure by releasing relaxing hormones that dilate small blood vessels. In addition to these effects, the needles also smooth the flow of energy, thus bringing harmony to the body.
Causes of high blood pressure
In many cases of hypertension, doctors find it quite difficult to identify the exact cause of the hypertension. However, your acupuncturist will spend time finding the true causes of your high blood pressure and will use acupuncture and herbs to treat the root causes. The following are common causes of high blood pressure:
• Overweight or obesity
• Tuxedo
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Family history of diabetes and high blood pressure
• Sedentary lifestyle
• A penchant for high salt intake and junk food consumption
• High stress
People who undergo 30-45 minutes of acupuncture once a week for 10-12 weeks with an experienced acupuncturist have shown commendable results. These patients experienced a 6 to 10 mmHg drop (points) in systolic blood pressure and a 4 to 10 mmHg drop in diastolic BP.
People with prehypertension (blood pressure slightly higher than 120/79) can avoid taking acupuncture medication once or twice a week and by practicing Taiichi and meditation. These practices help them minimize the risk of stroke, macular degeneration, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and other cardiovascular diseases that can be caused by high blood pressure.
Considering the potential side effects of high blood pressure medications, it is best to opt for acupuncture treatments from experts with knowledge of Western and Chinese medicine. Many people have experienced lasting health benefits from acupuncture treatments along with significant lifestyle changes that have helped them feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
People looking to get acupuncture treatment for hypertension should seek out experienced acupuncturists in the greater Boston area, get the best acupuncture treatment, and make sure to complete the full treatment. In addition to this, they should also do regular exercises and combine meditation, Qi Gong, and yoga that help them reduce their stress.
These practices would help them relieve stress and improve the flow of energy to their body, which would allow them to normalize their blood pressure. The acupuncturist may suggest some lifestyle changes such as diet, time management, exercise, and adopting a healthier routine that will help them improve their overall health and fitness.
