Overview of Alternative Treatment for Hypertension

overview 

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the blood on the artery walls when the heart contracts and relaxes. This blood pressure rises and falls with every heartbeat and is recorded as two figures which denote the normal blood pressure reading. High blood pressure is also called hypertension. More commonly, doctors ask for lifestyle changes and medications to treat hypertension. There are number of alternative methods through which a person can reach the goal of reducing high blood pressure. Some methods have come from traditional approach while some have been evaluated by clinical research and the others methods adapts the ways of reducing stress. Three most common alternative methods used for reducing high blood pressure are: 

• Mind, body and traditional medicine
  
• Medicinal herbs
  
• Food supplements
  

Mind, Body and Traditional Medicine 

Acupuncture is a popular name and way to reduce hypertension. This therapy involves inserting thin needles to particular spots on the skin. Acupressure is another method used for reducing the causes of hypertension. However, this method is extremely dangerous for people with a blood pressure of more than 200/100. It has also been found that people with high blood pressure who undergo chiropractic spinal manipulation experience a significant reduction in blood pressure. However, experts are still finding out the exact uses of chiropractic manipulation for hypertension. 


Another study has revealed that regular massage can offer significant reductions in blood pressure. Stress is considered as one of the major causes of hypertension. Hence, it is believed that relaxation technique can help in reducing hypertension by alleviating feeling of stress. Transcendental meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, self-hypnosis and biofeedback technique have shown promising results for reducing hypertension. Biofeedback technique also helps in achieving healthful lifestyle modifications such as quit smoking and losing weight. 

Medicinal Herbs 

There are number of herbs that help in lowering the blood pressure. However, some herbs are found to have serious side effects. Hence, before using medicinal herbs for cutting down the blood pressure, consulting a doctor becomes essential. Some of the herbs that are found to be helpful in lowering high blood pressure are garlic, Hawthorne, and rauwolfia serpentina. Garlic has been useful in treating various diseases such as common cold and cancer. Use of garlic helps the blood vessels to thin and reduce the blood pressure by 5 to 10 per cent. It is also used for lowering cholesterol and discouraging clot formation. Hawthorne berries is widely used for treating cardiovascular diseases as they are considered as the safest herbs. Studies has revealed that Hawthorne berries protect arterial walls, lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and strengthen the heart's pumping ability. Rauwolfia serpentina is a powerful herb that can reduce blood pressure by taking small dose. 

Food supplements 

A nutritious diet is must for eliminating high blood pressure as well as other diseases. A nutritious diet is the one that contains all the essential elements required for better functioning of our body organs. Calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and omega-3 fatty acids are considered as the essential nutrients require for normal blood pressure. They all are believed to contribute to lower the high blood pressure in one or the other way.