Acupunture Lowers Blood Pressure

"Electroacupuncture," a form of acupuncture that incorporates low levels of electrical stimulation, has been found to reduce elevations in blood pressure by as much as 50 percent, according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Applied Pscychology.

In tests on rats, researchers at the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California Irvine found that electroacupuncture treatments provided temporary relief from the conditions that raise blood pressure during hypertensive states.

Such treatments may be effective as part of a therapeutic regimen for long-term care of hypertension and other cardiovascular ailments, say the researchers.

"This study suggests that acupuncture can be an excellent complement to other medical treatments, especially for those treating the cardiac system," said Dr. John C. Longhurst, director of the Samueli Center and study leader. "The Western world is waiting for a clear scientific basis for using acupuncture, and we hope that this research ultimately will lead to the integration of ancient healing practices into modern medical treatment."