Regardless of whether or not you are on medication for your high blood pressure, changes to diet, lifestyle and environment – as well as holistic therapies – can significantly enhance your improvement and increase the effectiveness of your current treatments.
Holistic therapies and treatments provide natural methods of treating high blood pressure (and other ailments) and can be an excellent complement to allopathic medicine. If you choose to work with both holistic practitioners and western medical physicians, be sure that you disclose to both that you are working with the other. This will help to ensure that all of your treatments will complement each other effectively and to limit any possibility of interactions (for example between prescription medications and herbal supplements).
The following are just a few of the holistic therapies and treatments available for managing your blood pressure.
Acupuncture – In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) poor circulation of the body’s vital energy is believed to be the cause of high blood pressure. By inserting acupuncture needles at specific points on the body, the energy flow can be corrected. Typically, this would be coupled with other treatments, such as herbal medicines and dietary recommendations.
Aromatherapy – Lavender and marjoram are popular essential oils for treating hypertension, as are melissa and hyssop. Essential oils are used topically or can be combined with a bath for soaking. Conversely, some essential oils, such as rosemary can increase blood pressure, so it is best to speak to an aromatherapist before beginning aromatherapy.
Sound Therapy – Although Sound Therapy usually refers to specific healing techniques involving chimes and vibrations, I believe this is also a good place to note that listening to soothing music has been shown to reduce blood pressure. Either working with a Sound Therapy practitioner who is trained to know which vibrations will benefit you the most, or listening to soothing music whenever possible can reduce blood pressure and improve overall health.
Color Therapy – Each color has a specific vibration which gives it particular qualities. Green is a soothing color that has balancing and stress-reducing qualities and is likely the most effective color for improving blood pressure. Color therapy can be as simple as wearing the color green or adding green to the environment where you spend most of your time.
Herbal Medicine – Dandelion, yarrow, ginger, motherwort, cat’s claw, chamomile, fennel, saffron, parsley, linden, valerian, kudzu and hawthorn are just some of the herbs that have been used for generations in the natural treatment of high blood pressure. Herbal supplements can interact with medications and other supplements, so always remember to check with your healthcare provider before beginning herbal treatments.
Reflexology – Reflexologists work with specific points on the body that correspond with organs and glands. Focusing on the points that are related to the kidneys and adrenal glands can be helpful in improving blood pressure and issues related to high blood pressure.
Diet/Nutrition -By consuming foods rich in fiber, potassium and magnesium – and other blood pressure reducing nutrients – and avoiding caffeine, salt and saturated fats, you can see improvements in your hypertension in as little as two weeks. For the best results, consult a dietician or nutritionist, or – at minimum- refer to one of the many books available on eating plans for lowering blood pressure. One great resource for this is www.dashdiet.org where you can learn more about the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.
Meditation – Mediation has been scientifically proven to lower blood pressure, as well as to reduce stress (which influences blood pressure). No special tools or training are needed to begin a meditation practice. Simply sitting quietly and focusing on your breath is a great way to start and will prove beneficial to your overall health and well being.
Massage – Massage aids in the release of physical and emotional tension in the muscles and promotes greater muscle relaxation and stress reduction.
Progressive Relaxation and Breathing – Deep relaxation and breathing have a calming, balancing effect on the body and have been shown to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. There are practitioners that can help you learn appropriate breathing and relaxation techniques, or an online search will give you some suggestions as well.
Energy Healing – Energy Healers work with the body’s energy system to release blocks, bring it into balance and raise the vibration to a healthy level. Energy Healing (such as Reiki) is very relaxing and calming and can work to improve specific health issues, as well as overall health and wellness.
Biodfeedback – Biofeedback is a holistic treatment that teaches you to control your body’s responses to certain stimuli and bodily functions, such as heart rate. By working with a professional practitioner you will learn to recognize when your body is tense (or stressed) and you will learn techniques to relax and to lower your stress, thus lowering your blood pressure.
For ideas on other ways to naturally lower your blood pressure, see my Associated Content articles: “Treating High Blood Pressure Naturally: Diet,” “Treating High Blood Pressure Naturally: Lifestyle” and “Improve your Health with Simple Changes to your Home.
