Mind-Body and Traditional Medicine

Acupuncture

Several studies showed a reduction in blood pressure with the use of acupuncture. While these clinical trials were conducted over a short period of time, the encouraging results suggest that it would be worthwhile for scientists to conduct longer term research of acupuncture as a treatment for high blood pressure.

Acupressure

This mild treatement may be useful for the treatment of hypertension, which In traditional Oriental medicine is connected with blockages in the Liver meridian.

If blood pressure exceeds 200/100, do not try acupressure.

Chiropractic Manipulation

Preliminary evidence suggests that people with high blood pressure who undergo chiropractic spinal manipulation experience a significant reduction in blood pressure. In fact, on rare occasions, a spinal manipulation session may actually cause extremely low blood pressure, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness. However, more research is needed to confirm its use for hypertension.

Massage

Massage may be particularly helpful for people with hypertension brought on by stress. One recent study revealed that people with hypertension who receive massages showed significant reductions in blood pressure. In addition, massage tends to help people stick with healthy behaviours such as healthy eating and non-smoking.

Mind-Body Medicine

Although the association between ongoing stress and hypertension is complex, it is believed that relaxation techniques may be helpful in alleviating feelings of stress. Transcendental meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, as well as other mind-body techniques such as self-hypnosis and biofeedback, have shown promising results in recent studies. Biofeedback in particular may reduce elevated blood pressure resulting from stress, and help individuals achieve healthful lifestyle modifications, such as stopping smoking and losing weight.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu practitioners will work on the Gall Bladder and Liver meridians for hypertension. You can try using some techniques yourself -

• The Gall Bladder meridian is located in the space on the top of your foot, between the 4th and 5th toes. Start at the web margin and stimulate the channel. Press for 6- 7 seconds at the first point, release, move about 1.5 cm along the channel and press again. Continue like this about halfway up the foot to where you no longer feel a space between the toe bones.
   
• Now stimulate the Liver meridian. Start at the center of the top of your big toe. Using the press-and-release technique discussed above, proceed along the toe to the web margin between the big toe and second toe. Now move up the channel between the big toe and second toe. From the ankle, go up the inside part of the leg, along the bone (use only mild to moderate pressure.) About halfway up the leg, the meridian comes off the bone but continues up the middle of the inside of the leg. Stop around the knee.
   
• Repeat on the other foot.