TCM & Acupuncture to Manage High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is an indicator that a person has a high risk for heart disease, stroke, or heart attacks.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a healthy body is our natural state and any illness or health issue is attributed to something in the body being out of balance. Chinese medicine strives to bring each patient back into balance in order to achieve health.

High blood pressure can be deadly if not managed, but a more positive outlook is that high blood pressure is a warning sign that something in a person’s lifestyle needs to change.

Women, in particular, should pay close attention to moderating blood pressure, as heart disease is the number one cause of death for women in the United States. Focusing on managing stress and a healthy diet can help reduce hypertension.

The most common root of the issue for an individual with hypertension is the body having too much heat and stress. There are three key ways in which Chinese Medicine helps to balance the body. 

1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been shown to reduce hypertension. In a study done at the University of California, Irvine published in Medical Acupuncture journal, electroacupuncture was shown to lower blood pressure in 6 weeks with 70% of treated patients experiencing a noticeable drop in hypertension. 

2. Herbal Formulas

Chinese Medicine is unique in that it treats each individual differently than any other individual.  Herbal Formulas are tailor-made to treat the root of the issue. Chinese Medicine has a plethora of formulas and specific herbs that help in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. One such herb is the Hawthorn Berry, or Shan Zha in Chinese. 

3. Nutrition and Diet

Since hypertension can be viewed in Chinese Medicine as the body having too much heat, incorporating cooling foods in your nutrition can be a part of daily lifestyle changes that improve your health. Some cooling foods in Chinese Medicine include celery, cucumber, watermelon, and mung bean!

 Image Cred: Urvi Wellness Centre

Invest in your health by putting yourself first!

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