Acupuncture for Hypertension

The World Heath Organization (WHO) reports that “an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years worldwide have hypertension.” These patients are most often treated with medications like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or diuretics. The dosage and combination of medications will vary depending on the patient, but generally, all come with potential side effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine, however, has a simple answer with fewer contraindications and fewer risks of side effects and complications: acupuncture.

Historically called "hard pulse disease" in Traditional Chinese Medicine, hypertension has been a focus of acupuncturists for centuries. In a 2021 article published in the peer-reviewed journal Medical Acupuncture, Dr. Poovadan Sudhakaran stated that “[acupuncture] is effective and is associated with no untoward effects. Various studies [show] the effectiveness of acupuncture for addressing hypertension.”

The modalities by which acupuncture treats hypertension include:

• Modulating the nervous system: The use of acupuncture can calm the "fight or flight" response (the sympathetic nervous system), which is often overactive in hypertension.

• Influencing neurochemicals: Acupuncture can trigger the release of substances like endorphins and nitric oxide, which can relax and open up blood vessels.

• Reducing inflammation and oxidative stress: Both of these factors contribute to high blood pressure, and acupuncture may help counteract them.

Acupuncture presents a compelling modality for managing hypertension. Its long history and the growing body of scientific research and support suggest it's a valuable tool for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health. If you’re curious about how acupuncture could benefit you, please call us today at 301.880.3232. It would be our pleasure to assist you with scheduling a virtual consultation.

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References

Kalish LA, Buczynski B, Connell P, Gemmel A, Goertz C, Macklin EA, Pian-Smith M, Stevens S, Thompson J, Valaskatgis P, Wayne PM, Zusman RM. Stop Hypertension with the Acupuncture Research Program (SHARP): clinical trial design and screening results. Control Clin Trials. 2004 Feb;25(1):76-103. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2003.08.006. PMID: 14980754.

Man TM, Wu L, Zhang JY, Dong YT, Sun YT, Luo L. Research trends of acupuncture therapy for hypertension over the past two decades: a bibliometric analysis. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2023;13(1):67-82. doi:10.21037/cdt-22-480

Sudhakaran P. Acupuncture for Hypertension Using Traditional Chinese Medicine Concepts. Med Acupunct. 2021;33(1):15-21. doi:10.1089/acu.2020.1422

Wang Q, Zhang Q, Lu F, Hu H, Zhu M. Trends in Acupuncture Therapy for Microcirculation and Hemorheology from 1998 to 2023: A Bibliometric and Visualized Study. J Pain Res. 2024;17:177-196. Published 2024 Jan 8. doi:10.2147/JPR.S441512

World Health Organization. Hypertension. World Health Organization. Published March 16, 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension

Xu H, Luo Y, Li Q, Zhu H. Acupuncture influences multiple diseases by regulating gut microbiota. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2024;14:1371543. Published 2024 Jul 8. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2024.1371543

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This website provides general information only. Content does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for medical guidance.