Take heart. Acupuncture, a staple of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is increasingly being recognized not just for general wellness but specifically for its benefits to cardiovascular health.
Understanding Acupuncture’s Role in Heart Health
Can acupuncture support heart health? Acupuncture is regularly used to stimulate the nervous system. This can influence the body’s natural healing processes and promote overall health, including the heart.
Here’s how:
- Regulating the Nervous System: Acupuncture helps to balance the autonomic nervous system, which controls heart rate and blood pressure. By reducing sympathetic activity (which stresses the heart) and enhancing parasympathetic activity (which relaxes it), acupuncture may help manage dangerous conditions like hypertension.
- Enhancing Circulation: By relaxing blood vessels, improving blood flow and oxygen delivery throughout the body, and reducing blood pressure, acupuncture not only supports the heart muscle but also the entire cardiovascular system. This can help reduce the likelihood of conditions like arrhythmias, which can strain the heart.
- Reducing Inflammation: Acupuncture is also known to help mitigate systemic inflammation, which is a key factor in the development and progression of heart disease. By stimulating specific acupoints, acupuncture triggers the release of molecules that have anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce inflammation throughout the body, including around the heart. This response wards off plaque buildup inside the arteries and other cardiovascular conditions exacerbated by chronic inflammation
- Managing Stress and Emotional Health: Anxiety and emotional distress negatively affect our hearts. Acupuncture’s ability to alleviate stress and promote relaxation is a particularly beneficial tool in the support of overall heart health.
Some research has also indicated that acupuncture may be beneficial post-heart surgery. Patients receiving acupuncture showed lower rates of post-operative atrial fibrillation and reported less pain, nausea, stress, and anxiety. They also generally required less time in intensive care and fewer medications at discharge.
Integrating Acupuncture into Heart Health Management
So, can acupuncture support heart health? As research continues to explore the depths of the treatment’s effects, those interested in a holistic approach to heart health may find this ancient practice to be a valuable addition to their health regimen.
Consulting with a board-certified practitioner is an important first step. If you are interested in integrating holistic therapies to support your heart and overall health effectively, reach out to the Resilient Health Acupuncture team today.