ACUPUNCTURE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Not many people know that acupuncture gained major respect in USA after an article published in July 26, 1971 in the New York Times by a journalist who accompanied President Nixon to China. The article talked about President Nixon’s experience when he underwent an appendectomy in a hospital in Peking. James Reston, the New York Times journalist, was then allowed to participate in several open-heart surgeries where the only anesthesia supplied was through acupuncture.

Since then many people swear by acupuncture and many scientists agree that it works very well in treating heart disease. Acupuncture points are located on the invisible pathways, called meridians, which connect one part of the body with the other. Scientists believe that these meridians are located over major pathways (nerves) that can be stimulated with acupuncture. By stimulating these pathways we stimulate different areas of the body and send impulses to the brain. This mechanism could explain why we can control pain with acupuncture and have an impact on regulating the cardiovascular system.

There are areas in the body, just above the spinal cord in the brain stem, that regulate the release of adrenaline – a chemical that impacts the heart rate and blood pressure increase. By using acupuncture correctly, we can achieve a normal heart beat with regulated blood pressure. Acupuncture can also help people with ischemia – reduced supply of oxygen to the heart caused by blockages of blood vessels – or with irregular heartbeat, arrhythmias, etc.

The fact that you can lower your blood pressure naturally is very beneficial because you are automatically reducing the side effects of medications used for high blood pressure, and if you read the labels, they are many of them.

In our clinic we have helped many patients with this condition. Most of the time a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbs and life style changes were used to achieve the goal.