How to Use Acupuncture to Lower High Blood Pressure

Acupuncture, an alternative medicinal treatment that fosters healing by tapping into the mind and body connection, is growing in popularity amongst those seeking to lower high blood pressure. The World Health Organization has created a provisional list of 41 diseases manageable by acupuncture and near the top of that list is lowering high blood pressure. Read this article to understand how you can use acupuncture to lower your blood pressure.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Find an acupuncturist in your area. The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture website has a database of licensed acupuncturists, which you can search by state or area code. See the Resources section below for a link.
2. Ensure that the practitioner you choose has the proper training and certification. The American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM) suggests that physicians who use acupuncture have at least 200 hours of acupuncture training at a recognized acupuncture school.
3. Discuss your medical history in detail with an acupuncturist before beginning treatment. A qualified acupuncturist will ask you to describe any digestive problems, sensitivity to temperature, eating habits, sleeping patterns, stress and other physical ailments.
4. Discuss your goals and expectations of lowering high blood pressure with the acupuncturist. Typically, results should occur within the first four to six treatments. If you are not seeing modest improvements, re-evaluate the treatment plan and possibly consider a new practitioner.
5. Review your healthcare policy to determine whether acupuncture treatment is covered by your health care provider. Even if your health plan covers treatment, some insurers require pre-authorization.
6. Consult your primary physician about your acupuncture treatment so they can work together with your acupuncturist to create a comprehensive program to assist you in lowering in your high blood pressure. While the use of acupuncture alone has been proven to lower high blood pressure, a healthy diet combined with regular exercise in addition to acupuncture can increase your chances of achieving your long-term goals.
7. Practice daily meditation to harness the skills necessary to improve the mind and body connection. This holistic approach to strengthening your inner self increases the ability of acupuncture to lower high blood pressure.

Tips & Warnings

• The use of acupuncture is a very personal decision. Take responsible precautions to ensure your experience meets your expectations.
• Acupuncture treatment involves inserting hair-thin surgical steel needles into selected acupuncture points in the body. While the process is relatively pain-free, one risk is infection from improperly sterilized needles. To minimize exposure to infection, insist on disposable surgical needles.
• Acupuncture may stimulate the production of hormones in pregnant women that help initiate labor, which could be harmful to the fetus.