Blood Pressure Remedies Research

Acupuncture and Hypertension

Sticking it to High Blood Pressure with Acupuncture

Acupuncture • Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world - based on the concept that disease results from disruption in the flow of qi and imbalance in the forces of yin and yang. • High blood pressure cures are not part of traditional acupuncture • Research into acupuncture techniques as high blood pressure remedies progresses.

Research into High Blood Pressure Remedies University of Texas Southwest Medical Center (2004) • Eleven patients with normal to mild hypertension received electrical acupuncture • No evidence of persistent, long term blood pressure reduction.

Stop Hypertension with the Acupuncture Research Program (SHARP) • 192 participants with untreated moderate to severe hypertension • Three treatments: individualized traditional Chinese acupuncture, standardized acupuncture at preselected points, or invasive sham acupuncture • No benefit was detected.

On the Positive Side Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine (2007) • showed acupuncture can help normalize blood pressure. • slow onset and prolonged effect • lowered elevations in blood pressure by as much as 40 percent

American Journal of Hypertension (2009) • Evaluated eleven acupuncture trials, including Chinese and German results • Overall results were mixed. • Significant reductions at eight weeks

Consider acupuncture a potential high blood pressure remedy?

There are no blood pressure cures. But acupuncture remains a possible - and for many patients a viable - part of their complementary treatment regime.

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