According to Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), hypertension is mainly due to the dysfunction of the liver, kidney, heart and spleen. This causes the imbalance of yin and yang and qi and blood in the body.
Why Is It Important To Treat Hypertension?
Based on the 2020 statistics from Singapore Health Promotion Board, slightly less than 1 in 4 Singapore residents aged 30 to 69 years have hypertension. Unfortunately, many hypertension is only discovered when complications set in, for example, a stroke or heart attack.
How Can TCM Help?
Here are 4 commonly known TCM Acupressure and reflex points to help lower our blood pressure.
1. Rubbing on back of the ear
According to TCM principle, this line corresponds to the back of the human body. Rubbing on the back of the ear is equivalent to working on the spine. The movement has the effect of lowering liver fire and stabilising blood pressure.
Using your thumb fingertip, rub on the red line from the top to the bottom, up to 10 to 20 minutes a day.
2. Baihui Point On Your Head
The Baihui acupuncture point has the effect of relieving dizziness. It can calm the liver and quench the wind. Modern research also shows that massaging Baihui acupoint can adjust your vasoconstriction of micro-vessels and thus achieve the effect of reducing blood pressure.
Rub the point located on the head of the human body, right in the center of the top of the head; up to 10 to 20 minutes a day.
3. Quchi Point On Your Elbow
High blood pressure is said to be the result of the “wind” entering the body and causing the stagnation of Qi. As such, the Quchi acupoint is very useful to dispel the “wind” and clear away the heat from the body. This then smooths the flow of qi and blood to lower blood pressure.
The point is best located by bending your arms, near the middle elbow joint. Rub on the point for about 10 to 20 minutes.
4. Taichong Point On Your Foot
The Taichong point is located on the dorsal side of the foot, between the first and second toes. It is the main acupressure point of the liver meridian. Appropriate pressing of this point can clear the stagnation flow of Qi in our liver and gallbladder, improve blood circulation and stabilize blood pressure.
When you press on the right point, there is a sense of soreness. If you feel a lot of pain, it might mean that your liver has a lot of gas and that you’re easily angry. Rub for about 10 to 20 minutes.
Food To Lower Blood Pressure
People with hypertension should eat more foods with:
- High vitamins
- High cellulose
- High calcium
- Low fat
- Low cholesterol
It is also important to reduce daily salt consumption to 4 to 5 grams only.
Celery seeds and leaves
Celery seeds and leaves have a special effect on lowering blood pressure and blood fat. It is much preferred as compared to Western medicines since it does not contain any side effects.
Berries
Blueberries, mulberries, strawberries, cherries and other berries contain particularly high amounts of antioxidant polyphenols. This helps to lower blood pressure and raise good cholesterol, reducing the probability of heart disease and cancer.
Banana
Bananas are extremely rich in potassium and low in sodium, making it a good choice for reducing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
High blood pressure can be treated through both TCM tuina and acupuncture treatment by stimulating the corresponding acupressure points.
Besides that, it is also very important to go for regular health check-up and maintain a healthy living lifestyle.
For example, one should avoid smoking, heavy alcohol drinking, eating fast and processed junk food. Instead of that, you should choose a healthier diet, do more physical activities and regularly reduce stress for a healthy emotional balance.