How acupuncture is used to treat hypertension

Condition analysis:
The acupuncture treatment points include LI 11 (Xiu Chi), ST 36 (Zu San Li), GB 20 (Feng Chi), LR 3 (Tai Chong), and L 14 (He Gu).  Two or three additional points are utilized for each additional symptom such as with severe Headache, Insomnia, palpitation, frequent urination or swellings of the feet or legs, poor blood circulation or phlegm syndrome.

Generally, the needles remain in place for 30-45 minutes for each acupuncture session.  In order to achieve the best effect, the patient must feel the needle sensation.  Chinese doctors call this sensation "Gain Qi".  The sensation can be described as heaviness or a pressure feeling around the needle sites or along the energy (Qi) pathway called a meridian.  The more sensation a patient has, the better the results.  The sensation is not felt as pain.  In my clinic, those patients who initially fear the needles become comfortable with them and come to enjoy the session.

Generally two to three acupuncture treatments per week are required based on the patient’s blood pressure level and his or her general health condition in the first three to five months.  In most cases, Chinese herbs are also required (this will be explained in next section).  During the acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine treatments, the patient should continue taking any medications (pills) prescribed by their physician until the blood pressure level returns to an normal range (approximately 120/80) and remains there for at least 8 weeks.  This is required because the acupuncture and Chinese medicinal herbs and your chemical pills must be maintained in the same treatment level to prevent a rebound in the blood pressure.  After that time, your Chinese doctor may assist you in gradually reducing your dependency on chemical pill only with your primary physician’s consent.

Instructions:
Medicinal Herbal Treatment: In most cases, it is necessary for the patient to take the Chinese medicinal herbs daily to enhance the effect of the treatment.  The herbal medicine is a food supplement that will supply the material that our body needs to keep normal functioning and helping our body to detoxify from harmful substances.  The herbal formulae are specifically prescribed for each patient according to the differential diagnosis based on the patient’s general condition and symptoms as described above.  The Chinese herb formulas may consist of 12 or more herbs and their combinations, which are precisely balanced by the Chinese doctor to work together to correct the energy (Qi) imbalances that have created the high blood pressure condition.