Study Lower blood pressure with electroacupuncture

People with high blood pressure benefit from treatment with electroacupuncture. This was proven by researchers from California in a recent study. The needles lowered the blood pressure slightly but permanently.

Electro-acupuncture can lower blood pressure. Image: B. Wylezich - fotolia

The study involved 65 patients with mild to moderate high blood pressure who were not taking any blood pressure medication. The subjects were randomized into two groups. All participants received a 30-minute electroacupuncture once a week for eight weeks. The treatment group was needle-punched on typical "high-blood pressure acupuncture points" above the wrists and below the knees. In the control group, on the other hand, the needles were placed on nonacupuncture points. 30 minutes before and after the acupuncture sessions, the researchers measured the blood pressure of the subjects.

Verum Group benefited
Electroacupuncture was effective in both average blood pressure and peak levels in 70% of subjects in the treatment group. The blood pressure lowering effect did not occur until after four weeks - but then lasted up to six weeks. Although the blood pressure reduction was low, but clinically significant, so the scientists. The control group, on the other hand, did not benefit from the treatment.

In addition, the levels of the hormone norepinephrine and the enzyme renin in the blood of the treatment group had decreased by 41% and 67%, respectively. Aldosterone levels also fell by 22%. (Pm)