Acupuncture, Eastern Medicine and Blood Pressure

Acupuncture can help you control your blood pressure. It triggers a complex system known as the neuroendocrine system, comprised of the endocrine system, including the hypothalamus gland, pituitary, and also the thyroid and the adrenals, and the nervous system.

The endocrine system controls both hormones and metabolic processes. The free nervous system (ANS) is divided right into two branches -- the thoughtful branch, with its great role in controlling the general tone and the blood quantity of the heart, and the parasympathetic branch, known for its regulating power on the physical body procedures, such as breathing and blood pressure.

acupuncture-eastern-medicine-and-blood-pressure

The central nerve (CNS) is considered as a two-method communication network, which includes the mind and the spinal cord, responsible for the processing of the information from the body and the external stimuli.

The information is accepted by the nervous system, and later transferred to the mind through the spine. At this point the brain sends out signals to the whole body, using the very same system.

When it comes to scientific research, there is a continuous data buildup on the great impact of acupuncture on the endocrine system, and the fact that it can regulate the level of equilibrium.

This includes studies based on the thyroid hormones, corticosteroids, and the reproductive hormones. Recent studies have also confirmed the effect of acupuncture on the ANS (autonomic nervous system), including studies on different (ANS) conditions, like anxiety, insomnia, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), heart disease, and epilepsy.

In the last decade, researchers have conducted a great number of neuroimaging researches which involve the impact of acupuncture on mind facilities, due to the development in imaging innovations. A research showed that acupuncture may be used to switch on certain parts of the brain, giving a hypotensive result through the CNS.

Latest studies have found that an overactive nervous system (SNS) is one of the greatest contributors to high blood pressure. When the SNS is over-stimulated and dominant, it may trigger the vasoconstriction of the heart arteries, and eventually induce a hypertensive state.

These studies have also revealed that the ability to control the SNS is one of the ways in which acupuncture decreases blood stress. Another study has shown that electro acupuncture turns on nerve cells in the brain, and hinders the SNS tasks by stimulating the opioid system, including endorphins, encephalin, and nociception.

Endogenous opioids can modulate bench reflex control system, which is considered as a loop between the heart, brain, spine (CNS), SNS and also the PNS. Once the PNS is stimulated in this loop, it prevents any considerate nerve tactics, and decreases blood tension.

Many other studies have revealed that acupuncture can surpasse Captopril, a commonly prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor  (ACE-prevention) for hypertension.

One of these studies has outlined that electro acupuncture is a lot more efficient than modern medications when it comes to regulating blood pressure. A German study based on acupuncture and antihypertensive medicines, has shown that the ability of acupuncture to decrease blood pressure is similar to the monotherapies with ACE-preventions.

Acupoints

When it comes to treating high blood pressure, we select a particular group of acupoints. These vary depending upon the clinical presentation of high blood pressure and many other underlying reasons.

There are many alternatives, including the front or the back side of the body, the distal points on the extremities, and also, certain points on the ears. By stimulating the back points, or the Shy factors or points associated with a particular organ in the body, in this case it is the heart, we usually stimulate the Jueyinshu – BL 14 or Xinshu – BL15.

These two points are specific for the pericardium, and the heart especially. They are located on the upper thoracic part at the level of T4 and T5 vertebrae. They innervate the heart through the supportive nerves. According to traditional Chinese medicine:

Jueyinshu – BL 14:

  • -- Can regulate and descend Qi
  • -- Regulate heart function
  • -- Strengthen the upper body

Xinshu – BL15:

  • Can calm the spirit (the spirit is the SNS)
  • Can tone and nurture heart
  • Regulates heart Qi
  • Improves blood flow and strengthens the upper body

Eastern medicine has the cure for you

Eastern medicine is a vibrant system of different treatments, so patients can choose what suits them best. Blood pressure therapy protocols differ from one expert to another, and they depend upon the condition of the patient and the style of the expert.

Herbal treatments take precedence in most therapies, and acupuncture is used as a complement. Herbs work at a deeper level and precede the therapy, and acupuncture acts at a more shallow level. When combined, they form a cohesive therapy which is quite effective in treating root causes of a certain disease.

For optimal results, regardless of the cause of hypertension, the therapy requires great effort and certain lifestyle changes that will strengthen the heart, including

  • Light exercises, like Tai Chi, Qigong, yoga, meditation;
  • Dietary changes
  • Physical activity and exercises approved by acupuncture expert or physician
  • High-quality sleep

Source/ Reference: www.healthyfoodteam.com
Other included sources linked in Healthy Food Team’s article: www.curejoy.com -- Original Article Source