If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you are probably considering your options when it comes to treatment. Medication can be an important part of hypertension management. But maybe you’re not yet ready for meds — or they’re not helping you get the results you had hoped for. You may be interested in learning more about non-medical blood pressure treatments.
There are several non-medical treatments that are proven — or rumored — to help keep blood pressure in check.
One of the most effective steps you can take to manage blood pressure happens to be a non-medical treatment. Lifestyle changes are often the first recommendations doctors make when it comes to managing blood pressure. These changes might prevent, delay or reduce the need for medication. They can include:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Limiting alcohol
- Being physically active
- Managing stress
- Reaching or staying at a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
The research on other non-medical treatments for high blood pressure is mixed, however. Here are a few treatment options you may be hearing about:
Acupuncture
The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice of acupuncture has been shown in several studies to reduce blood pressure over the short-term. However, regular and frequent sessions would likely be needed to use acupuncture as a long-term approach to hypertension management. It likely couldn’t hurt to include acupuncture as a stress management tool, but there’s not enough evidence to rely on it as a main form of treatment.
Biofeedback
This mind-body technique trains a person to change involuntary bodily functions, like heart rate and blood pressure. A therapist teaches strategies that can impact specific functions. Sensors show the impacts in real time. This encourages and trains the person to use the techniques outside of the session. Research shows that biofeedback may be a useful therapy that can support, but not replace, medication.
Breathing exercises
Can managing blood pressure be as simple as “just breathe”? Research shows that practicing slow, deep breathing may help lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A coach can help you learn some strategies that can help. To get started, try inhaling for five counts, then exhaling for five counts through O-shaped lips like you’re blowing bubbles.
Hypnosis
Several small studies have shown that hypnotherapy may reduce high blood pressure. More research, however, is needed. Hypnotherapy can be used to target factors that put people at a higher risk for high blood pressure, like being overweight or having anxiety.
Supplements
While it’s proven that dietary changes can help with blood pressure management, herbs and nutritional supplements are not as sure of a bet. In general, more research is needed to prove the effectiveness of supplements in managing blood pressure. Garlic supplements, for instance, have been found in some studies to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It can also cause drug interactions. Magnesium is another supplement people take for blood pressure. Research shows that it lowers blood pressure by just a few points. It can also cause side effects like loose stools or abdominal pain. Always talk with your doctor before you try any supplement.