Human and animals studies have shown acupuncture can influence both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Acupuncture tends to regulate values toward normal through a mechanism which involves both opioid peptides and serotonin. Any treatment that reduces the need for long-term medication in the management of hypertension is potentially important. One study showed no difference between the effects of ear acupressure and anti-hypertensive drugs, both of which were significantly more effective than placebo capsule (Zhou et al 1991).

Tam K-C, Yin 114 H 1975 The effect of acupuncture on essential hypertension. American Journal of Chinese Medicine 30069-375. RESULTS: “Reduction in symptoms and BP readings in more than half the subjects.”

Yin Z 1992 Acupuncture treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture 3(2):191-192. RESULTS: Both systolic and diastolic BP fell significantly, but there was no control group.

Huang H, Liang S 1992 Acupuncture at otopoint heart for treatment of vascular hypertension. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 12(2):133-136. RESULTS: 30 hypertensive patients. Short term observations over the 60 minutes following ear acupuncture showed a reduction of BP to normal limits in all cases.

Gaponjuk P J, Sherkovina T J 1994 The clinical and physiological foundation of auricular acupuncture therapy in patients with hypertensive disease. Acupuncture in Medicine 12(1):2-5. RESULTS: 78 hypertensive men. Following acupuncture, systolic and diastolic BP fell significantly. There was a decrease in giddiness, and an improvement in work capacity.

Zhou R, Zhang Y, Wang J et al 1991 Anti-hypertensive effect of auriculo-acupoint pressing therapy. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 11(3):189-192. Acupressure consisted of 5-6 Vaccaria seeds applied on appropriate ear acupuncture points. There was no difference between the effects of acupressure and Western drugs used in a control group, and both were significantly more effective than placebo.

Wang J, Shen LL, Cao YX, Zhu DN. Effects of electroacupuncture on pressor response to angiotensin-(1-7) by amino acid release in the rostral ventrolateral medulla. Acupunct Electrother Res 2003;28(1-2):25-34. Unilateral microinjection of Angiotensin-(1-7)[Ang-(1-7)] into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of anesthetized rats caused an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) accompanied by an increased release of excitatory amino acid (EAA) glutamate. In contrast, microinjection of Ang779, a selective antagonist of Ang-(1-7) receptor, into the RVLM caused a decrease in MAP accompanied by a deceased release of EAA glutamate as well as an increased release of inhibitory amino acid (IAA) glycine, taurine and gamma-aminobutyric acid. After electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at "Zusanli"(St.36) for 20 min, the above effects of Ang-(1-7) or Ang779 attenuated. These results suggest that attenuation of EA on the pressor effect of Ang-(1-7) or the depressor effect of Ang779 may be through regulating the corresponding amino acid neurotransmitter release in the RVLM.