Treat Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure)

Naomi is a mid-forties mother of five children who visited my Clinic in the spring of 2006. Because she suffered from Orthostatic Hypotension, she was forced to wear theraputic pressure stockings which relieved the symptoms of her condition. She asked me if acupuncture and Chinese medicine could help her so she wouldn't have to wear the theraputic stockings anymore. After a half hour evaluation, I found out that the patient experienced extreme fatigue after she had her fifth baby thirteen years ago. Without much recovery time, she immediately went back to work. She gradually developed feeling faint in the morning upon rising. Only by wearing the prescription pressure stockings could Naomi carry on with the daily activities of her life. Additional clinic symptoms and signs were that she experienced afternoon tiredness, lack of concentration, urgent and frequent urination especially at night, dark black color under the eyes, and poor circulation in the legs. The TCM diagnosis of Naomi's condition was blood stagnation, central qi deficiency and kidney qi insufficiency. Acupuncture treatment was given once a week with Chinese herbal medicine prescribed daily for a month and a half. After that time, the patient was able to reduce her pressure stockings from 20-30mg to 15-18 mg. We continued the same treatment for two more months. The patient was then stocking free and her other symptoms are improved.

Orthostatic hypotension means that the blood pressure in the arteries of the brain has suddenly dropped. This happens because when the body suddenly assumes the vertical stance, gravity forces blood to tend to pool in the legs and lower abdominal veins. The heart works by pumping all the blood that returns to it. If the volume of the blood returning to the heart is reduced, the pumping output is decreased, and therefore, blood pressure falls. The brain is exquisitely sensitive to this drop in pressure and begins to malfunction. The cure is for one to assume the horizontal position, which increases the blood return to the heart and improves blood flow to the brain. Voila! Clarity of thought returns!

Most people can recall feeling suddenly lightheaded, perhaps even fainting, when they suddenly stand up after lying down or sitting for a long time. Perhaps they have had a similar episode brought on by standing still for a long time. This feeling of temporary lightheadedness is called orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure) or vasovagal syncope (SIN-ko-pee - fainting).

In TCM theory, the causes of orthostatic hypotension are: physical or mental over-exertion, post febrile disease, post great blood loss or fluid loss, neuralgia, etc. These conditions lead to internal organ malfunction, heart and blood vessels lack of power to maintain normal blood pressure for normal body functions. Even though this clinical condition is not deadly (unless the patient suffers a fall and sustains serious injury), it is certainly a nuisance and will affect one's quality of life. Chinese Medicine can help the body to rebalance the internal organ function and cure the problem.

K.J. (2.2007)