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ABSTRACT
1
ESSENTIAL
VASCULAR HYPERTENSION
By
Major Steven E. Braverman, M.D.,
Chief,
Department of Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation
Director, Residency Training,
Walter Reed Army Hospital,
Washington, DC
INTRODUCTION
Essential vascular
hypertension is a common disease that eventually
leads to pathological changes in the brain,
heart, and kidney. The present case report
reflects the curative effect of acupuncture
on essential vascular hypertension. Auriculoacupuncture
for hypertension is sporadically documented
in the current acupuncture literature. This
report concerns a previously unreported acupuncture
treatment protocol which was 100% effective.
CASE
Three male patients,
between 31-78 years-old, had poorly controlled
hypertension despite medication regimens.
Pyonex needles were inserted in 9 auricular
points in alternating ears, every 3 days for
2 weeks. The treatments were gradually prolonged;
at 6 weeks, the patients returned twice per
month for needle changes. All 3 patients maintained
normal blood pressure from the first treatment,
and throughout the entire course of treatment.
No changes were made to medicines or diet.
Hypotension in the eldest patient was the
only complication.
DISCUSSION
The treatment
regimen of medication, diet, and exercise
is often effective in treating essential hypertension,
but may have multiple side effects or prove
impractical. The acupuncturist can provide
a tool which can innocuously help control
this disease.
CONCLUSION
These case reports
suggest the need for large prospective randomized
controlled trials of auriculo-acupuncture
in the treatment of hypertension.
AUTHOR
INFORMATION
Dr. Steven Braverman is Chief, Department
of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and
Director, Residency Training, in the Department
of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Walter
Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC.
Major
Steven E. Braverman, M.D.
Chief, Department of PM&R
Director, Residency Training
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Washington, DC 20307-5001
Phone: 202-782-6368 Fax:
202-782-0970
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