Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have uncovered a promising approach to managing hypertension using electroacupuncture. Their study demonstrates that targeted electroacupuncture can significantly reduce blood pressure in hypertensive subjects.
The study, conducted on rats with artificially elevated blood pressure, involved applying low-level electrical stimulation to specific acupuncture points. One method involved inserting needles into the pericardium points 5-6 and rotating them periodically. Another focused on the rats’ forelimbs, with and without stimulation. Electrical stimulation was applied to the pericardium points 5-6 at varying frequencies (2-100 Hz).
Continuous monitoring during these tests revealed that manual and electrical acupuncture effectively lowered blood pressure, with reductions lasting up to an hour and ranging from 33% to 36%. The most significant reductions occurred with electroacupuncture, particularly at a frequency of 2 Hz. Stimulation of heart (6-7) and stomach (36-37) points also yielded substantial results, lowering blood pressure by up to 44% and 36%, respectively.
Interestingly, the researchers noted that electroacupuncture only affected hypertensive subjects and had no impact on individuals with normal blood pressure. This suggests that acupuncture could be a safe and targeted therapy for hypertension. This research suggests that acupuncture may offer a valuable alternative or complementary treatment for managing high blood pressure. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in humans and determine the optimal acupuncture protocols for hypertension management.