Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides many approaches to treating hypertension. One of the best approaches TCM possesses is acupuncture. The treatment of hypertension with acupuncture can have two approaches: one approach is to treat the high blood pressure symptom and the other approach is to holistically treat the person.
Treating the high blood pressure symptom is the easiest of the two. Acupuncturists are trained to locate the acupuncture points (acupoints) that when treated with ultra fine needles can decrease blood pressure. Hence they will always insert needles on targeted acupoints after a hypertension diagnosis has been determined. Treating the patient holistically means that a number of syndromes need to be discovered. The acupuncturist needs to analyze the signs and symptoms that include knowing the nature and type of the case, the appearance of the tongue and the rate of the pulse. TCM practitioners have determined that there are 4 basic types of hypertension syndromes:
- One syndrome is shown to follow symptoms of vigorous pulse, taut, red tongue with yellow coating, restlessness, bitter taste in mouth, flushed eyes and face, headache and dizziness.
- Another syndrome can include symptoms of rapid and thin pulse, taut, sleeplessness, amnesia, tinnitus, palpitation, hot sensation in the soles and palms, restlessness, dry mouth, dizziness and headache.
- This syndrome can consist of taut and thin pulse, dry and red tongues with little coating, insomnia, hot sensation in the soles and palms, tinnitus, weakness of the legs and waist, dizziness and uncomfortable and dry sensation of the eyes.
- Syndrome number 4 include symptoms like thin and taut pulse, white coated and pale tongue, weakness of the legs and waist, tiredness, palpitation, tinnitus, headache and dizziness.
Acupuncturists usually target acupoints for treating hypertension. These acupoints are classified into two groups: one group for reducing too much yang and the other for supplementing the lack of yin and yang in the body.
Too much liver yang syndrome diagnosis means that the acupoints to reduce excess yang is selected. If diagnosis determines that a Yin -insufficient yang -excessive syndrome exists, the two classified acupoints are both treated to restore yin yang balance. If a Yin deficiency is diagnosed (kidney and liver) the acupoints supplementing the lack of yin and yang are selected with the reinforcing manipulation utilized.
The syndrome differentiation is a very useful tool in treating hypertension with acupuncture. The results are truly great when this method is applied.
Acupuncture can be a pleasant form of treatment for hypertension. For one the patient does not feel discomfort when the high blood pressure is lowered. Also, since this is an all-natural procedure there are no side effects to be experienced. Acupuncture works best when it is performed during the first stage of hypertension.