Discover Top Acupressure Points for High Blood Pressure

Heart diseases are affecting more people today than ever before. Shockingly, heart ailments are not limited to just older adults. It is affecting even the younger generation. According to the National Library of Medicine, cardiovascular deaths have increased from 2.26 million in 1990 to 4.77 million in 2020. And India will see more patients with heart diseases in 2030.

Why is there a drastic increase in the number of cardiac patients? This rise in heart patients is due to poor lifestyles and increased stress levels. People today don’t pay much attention to their health and find themselves under stress. Unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles cause blood pressure to rise, leading to hypertension.

Most people do not check their BP regularly. This negligence prevents them from taking action early and increases the risk of hypertension and other heart problems. One way to minimise these risks is to follow a healthy lifestyle, including eating nutritious food, exercising daily, and managing stress. Besides this, another way to keep your BP in check is Acupressure.

It may sound strange, but Acupressure works wonders in lowering BP levels effectively. Let’s understand this way of managing hypertension in detail.

What is acupressure?

Acupressure is a technique that originated in China which uses pressure on specific points of the body to promote healing and reduce pain. Triggering these pressure points helps relieve stress, induce sound sleep, boost the immune system, regulate blood pressure, and improve blood circulation in the body. These points are called acupoints and are external pathways on your skin’s surface that connect to your internal organs. When a particular combination of specific acupuncture points is stimulated, it helps regulate your BP levels.

These pressure points act on hormones related to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This system keeps your blood pressure levels in control and balances electrolytes and fluids in the body. This also helps in dopamine secretion, which is vital in managing stress and making you feel calm and happy. Furthermore, acupressure also helps relax pressure exerted on the walls of your arteries and veins, lowering blood pressure levels.

What are the three acupressure points for high BP?

If your doctor has suggested making lifestyle changes to manage hypertension and considering acupressure, here is something you must know. There are many acupressure points for high blood pressure, but these three acupressure points are the most important. Your acupuncturist will trigger these pressure points to lower your BP levels:

1. Between the big and second toe

   This acupoint is referred to as the LV3 or Liver 3 point. This is located between your big and second toe. When this point is pressed for a minute daily, it helps in lowering blood pressure, increasing blood circulation, and reducing anxiety.

2. Between thumb and index finger

   This acupoint is called the large intestine 4 or LI4 point. This point is located between your thumb and index finger and is very easy to practise. When an acupuncturist presses this point, it helps reduce hypertension. This acupoint also helps relieve toothaches, sinus, and skin problems.

3. Back of the neck

   This point is referred to as the gallbladder 20 or GB 20. This point is located at the base of your skull. When an acupuncturist applies pressure on both sides of the vertebral column for a minute daily. This technique helps lower blood pressure and minimise the risk of Hypertension and other heart diseases.

You will need an expert to trigger the acupressure points for hypertension
to get the desired results. An acupuncturist is the right person to help you lower your blood pressure levels. They are trained professionals who know the perfect pressure to be applied and the location that gives you the best result. You can check with your doctor to get started immediately if he knows an acupuncturist.

Conclusion

Managing hypertension naturally and keeping a regular tab on your BP levels helps you get sustainable health results. If your BP levels are normal, lifestyle changes alone are enough. But if you are a hypertensive patient, you will need some medicines and lifestyle changes to lower BP levels and prevent further health risks.

Also read:

• Nutritionist Recommended Ways to Lower Blood Pressure
• Stress Buster for Hypertension
• Healthy Hypertension Diet Recipes