May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. Today’s post will review research on the use of acupuncture to lower blood pressure.

Hypertension is a significant health issue. Statistics from the CDC indicate that one third of American adults have hypertension, and another third fall into the pre-hypertension range. The costs of hypertension are estimated to be $50 billion annually.

A research group from China examined the possible benefits of acupuncture on hypertension. A meta-analysis was performed encompassing 23 different random controlled studies, with nearly 1800 subjects included in their analysis. Countries such as China, Germany, South Korea and the U.S. were included. Most participants had either mild, or mild to moderate hypertension.

After reviewing the data from this collection of 23 random controlled trials the study authors concluded that acupuncture when added to the existing anti-hypertensive medicine had a significant beneficial effect on lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, when compared to sham (fake) acupuncture plus medicine. Acupuncture therefore showed a beneficial effect when used as an add-on treatment to standard pharmaceutical anti-hypertensive therapy.

Acupuncture has been shown to be a safe treatment, with infrequent side effects. This meta-analysis shows promise for adding on acupuncture treatments to existing anti-hypertension medications to yield additional blood pressure relief.

“First, modify the patient’s diet and lifestyle and only then, if these do not effect a cure, treat with medicinals and acupuncture.”-  Sun Simiao

(Source- PLOS ONE, July 24, 2015)

This blog is a review of published medical and scientific literature, and should only be used for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical or health advice, nor does it create a physician-patient relationship with anyone.