Acupuncture Points Mentioned in this Article
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is due to excessive force against artery walls, often resulting from an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, being overweight, or genetic predispositions. It is a common health condition where the force of the blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high. Imagine your arteries as tiny pipes that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. When you have hypertension, it's like those pipes are under too much pressure all the time.
This can happen for a variety of reasons, including having too much salt in your diet, not getting enough exercise, or being overweight. It can also be influenced by genetic factors, which means it can run in families. Often, it doesn't show any clear symptoms, but if it goes unchecked for a long time, it can lead to serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, and other problems. It’s often called the "silent killer" because it can cause damage without showing obvious signs, making regular check-ups crucial to managing it effectively.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective on High Blood Pressure
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, high blood pressure is typically attributed to body imbalances, especially in liver and kidneys. Sometimes, if the liver isn’t working well, it might cause symptoms like feeling dizzy. Also, just like in Western medicine, TCM recognizes that the conditions is often hereditary. If our parents or grandparents have had hypertension, we might be more likely to have it too.
Pressure Points To Lower Blood Pressure On Head and Neck
Hundred Meeting (Baihui 百會) GV20 Acupoint:
The Hundred Meeting point helps manage high blood pressure. It serves as a significant junction for all the body's paths. It plays a pivotal role in regulating the body's energy flow, promoting overall health and helping manage high blood pressure.
Where is Acupuncture Point GV20?
The Hundred Meeting point is located at the highest point right at the center of the top of your head.
How to find Acupressure Point GV20?
- Start from the highest point on the top center of your head.
- This is the spot where the line connecting the centers of both ears intersects with the line running through the center between your eyebrows.
Wind Pool (Fengchi 風池) GB20 Acupoint
Wind Pool is a key point for treating colds and other health conditions, including high blood pressure. Stimulation of this acupoint can also help alleviate pain in the lower back and muscles, eye fatigue, and hangovers.
Where is Acupuncture Point GB20?
Wind Pool is located slightly outside and above the Tianzhu acupoint, near the hairline behind your ear.
How to find Acupressure Point GB20?
- Start from a protruding bone behind your ear.
- Move towards the depression near your hairline, crossing over the protrusion.
Person's Welcome (Ren Ying 人迎) ST9 Acupoint
Person's Welcome is a critical acupoint that helps manage high blood pressure. Person's Welcome is also helpful for various other health problems linked to the body's kidney, spleen, liver, and heart areas. These additional benefits can include lessening symptoms of a sore throat, coughing, and asthma, as well as bolstering skin health by promoting smooth blood circulation.
Where is Acupuncture Point ST9?
The Person's Welcome acupoint is located next to the Adam's apple, moving approximately an inch and a half towards the side of your neck.
How to find Acupressure Point ST9?
- Start from the Adam's apple located in the center of your neck.
- Move your hand an inch and a half towards the side, where you will feel the pulse which indicates the correct spot.
Supreme Yang (Taiyang 太陽) Point Ex-HN5 Acupoint
The Supreme Yang point, found near your temples, is highly beneficial for managing high blood pressure. Other than that, targeting the Supreme Yang acupoint can relieve pain and tiredness around the eyes, as well as potentially treating early-stage cataracts.
Where is Acupuncture Point Ex-HN5?
You can find the Supreme Yang acupoint as a depression on the bone at your temples.
How to find Acupressure Point Ex-HN5?
- Start at the middle point between the tail end of your eyebrow and the outer corner of your eye.
- Slowly move your finger towards your temple until you feel a depression on the bone.
Reflexology Points for High Blood Pressure On Leg and Feet
Bell Ringer (Xuan Zhong 懸鐘) GB39 Acupoint:
Bell Ringer has multiple benefits for people with high blood pressure. It is a potent acupoint appropriate for a wide range of health conditions including stomach aches, headaches, and more. Its multiple benefits are useful for people trying to lower blood pressure, as thorough management is crucial for maintaining overall health.
Where is Acupuncture Point GB39?
The Bell Ringer acupoint is located in a small depression in the middle of the fibula on the outer part of your lower leg.
How to find Acupressure Point GB39?
- Start from a protruding part of the bone located behind your ear.
- Move approximately three inches (or about four finger widths) straight upwards.
- Find the small depression in the middle of the fibula on the outer side of the lower leg.
Great Surge (Taichong 太衝) LR3 Acupoint:
Great Surge is beneficial for individuals managing high blood pressure. The Great Surge point, found in the liver pathway, can help manage a wide array of health problems, including headaches, insomnia, high blood pressure, and menstrual pain. Great Surge is beneficial for individuals managing high blood pressure as it helps normalize the circulation of blood and releases stress, both of which are crucial for optimal diabetic care.
Where is Acupuncture Point LR3?
The Great Surge point is found in a slightly depressed area about one and a half inches towards the top surface of your foot from the space between your big toe and second toe.
How to find Acupressure Point LR3?
- Start from the space between your big toe and the second toe.
- Move about one and a half inches upwards towards the top surface of your foot.
Gushing Spring (Yongquan 湧泉) KI1 Point
Gushing Spring is an excellent acupoint for high blood pressure. It especially helps if you're frequently feeling tired or struggling with fatigue.** The use of this point can help enhance physical strength, boosting overall health, and benefiting the kidneys. These benefits can translate into a more manageable blood pressure condition as it helps enhance blood circulation, which is vital for people dealing with high blood pressure. In addition to that, regular stimulation of this point can enrich the appearance and health of your hair.
Where is Acupuncture Point KI1?
Gushing Spring acupoint is in the center part of the front third of the underside of your foot.
How to find Acupressure Point KI1?
- Look at the sole of your foot.
- Find the center of the front one-third of your foot's sole, where you can detect a recessed area. The acupoint is there.
Pressure Points For High Blood Pressure On Hand and Arm
Pool at the Bend (Quchi 曲池) LI11 Acupoint:
Pool at the Bend, found in the elbow region, aids in alleviating high blood pressure. Regular use of this acupoint can help improve skin, reduce arm fat, and manage various other health problems ranging from allergies to eye fatigue.
Where is Acupuncture Point LI11?
The Pool at the Bend point is located in the depression on the outer side of the bend of your elbow when placed with your palm facing towards you.
How to find Acupressure Point LI11?
- Start from the middle point of your elbow
- Move to the depression of the outer side of the elbow's bend.
How to Use Acupressure Points for High Blood Pressure?
Acupressure targeting specific points such as Hundred Meeting, Wind Pool, Person's Welcome, and Supreme Yang can be used for high blood pressure management. Acupressure offers a natural, non-invasive approach to managing hypertension where regular blood pressure monitoring is crucial. By stimulating specific points like Hundred Meeting (Baihui GV20), Wind Pool (Fengchi GB20), Person's Welcome (Ren Ying ST9), and Supreme Yang (Taiyang Ex-HN5) on the head and neck, one can potentially harmonize the body’s energy flow and assist in regulating high blood pressure.
Here are some practical tips to get the most out of these acupressure techniques:
Create a serene environment: Choose a quiet space where distractions are minimal. This calm setting will enhance your focus and heighten the healing effects of acupressure.
Deep breathing: Initiate your session by inhaling and exhaling deeply. This not only calms your mind but also prepares your body for the acupressure session, making it more receptive to the process.
Clean hands: Hygiene is essential. Ensure that your hands are clean before you start. This will prevent any potential infections, especially when dealing with sensitive areas.
Consistency is key: Regular application of these acupressure techniques is more beneficial than sporadic sessions. Aim to integrate these into your daily or weekly routine for a sustained impact.
Remember that gentle, yet firm, pressure is key, alongside visualization of harmonious energy flowing through the targeted pathways. If you experience any discomfort, or if these techniques do not provide the desired relief, always consult a licensed acupuncturist or a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner for expert advice and a more personalized approach.
Moxa Acupressure App Can Simplify Your Acupressure Journey
The Moxa Acupressure App offers a simplified way to incorporate acupressure into high blood pressure management by providing tailored sessions and rituals. Navigating through the complexities of managing hypertension with acupressure is made markedly simpler with the Moxa Acupressure App. Tailoring acupressure sessions and rituals to align with your specific health requirements, this innovative tool demystifies the process of identifying and stimulating acupoints crucial for blood pressure regulation.
It's pivotal to recognize that acupressure, while beneficial, is one facet of comprehensive well-being and hypertension management. An integrative approach that encompasses adequate sleep, a nutritious diet, consistent physical activity, and effective stress-alleviation methods is imperative. By nurturing your mind, body, and spirit in tandem, you pave the way towards sustained health and stability in your hypertension management journey.
