Hypertension is a common condition among many middle-aged and elderly people nowadays. In addition to diet control and emotional regulation, massage therapy can also help lower blood pressure. Let's take a look at how massage therapy can reduce blood pressure.
Etiology and Pathogenesis of Hypertension
According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, hypertension can be caused by factors such as mental stress, dietary imbalances, and internal injuries.
1. Prolonged mental tension or anger can lead to stagnation of liver qi, which can transform into fire over time. This can deplete liver yin, causing a failure of yin to restrain yang. As a result, liver yang becomes excessive, leading to increased blood pressure.
2. Excessive consumption of fatty and sweet foods, irregular eating habits, and physical exhaustion can lead to spleen deficiency and the formation of dampness. The accumulation of phlegm due to dampness can obstruct the clear yang and prevent the turbid yin from descending, resulting in hypertension.
3. Excessive fatigue or kidney deficiency due to aging can lead to deficiency of qi and blood, insufficient production of jin (body fluid), and liver malnourishment. This can cause liver yang to be excessively active, making it prone to internal wind and resulting in hypertension.
Basic Massage Techniques for Lowering Blood Pressure
Treatment principles: Nourishing yin, subduing yang, and extinguishing wind to lower blood pressure.
Acupoints: Yintang, Taiyang, Fengchi, Fengfu, Touwei, Zanzhu, Guanyuan, Qihai, Shénquè, Zhongwan, Shenshu, Mingmen, Yongquan.
Massage techniques:
1. The patient is in a seated position. The massage therapist uses a technique called "Yizhanchan" to apply pressure from Yintang along the midline of the forehead to the hairline, repeating this motion 3-5 times. Then, the therapist repeats the motion from Yintang along the eyebrow arch to Taiyang, again repeating 3-5 times.
2. The therapist applies gentle finger kneading to both sides of the temples for about 1 minute, and then presses and kneads Baihui, Touwei, Taiyang, Fengchi, Jianjing, Jianyu, Quchi, and Hegu for about 2 minutes.
3. Using the "Yizhanchan" technique, the therapist applies pressure to the bladder meridian on both sides of the cervical vertebrae for 3-5 times, and from Fengfu to Dazhui for 3-5 times.
4. The patient lies supine, and the therapist uses palm rubbing to massage the acupoints Guanyuan, Qihai, Shénquè, Zhongwan, and Daheng for about 5 minutes.
5. The patient lies prone, and the therapist uses the "Yizhanchan" technique to massage the acupoints Shenshu, Qihai, Guanyuan, Dachangshu, and Mingmen, as well as the Lumbar Yangguan, for about 5 minutes.
6. The therapist applies friction to the above acupoints, applying heat as appropriate, and finally rubs the Yongquan acupoints on the soles of the feet, also applying heat as appropriate.
Differentiation and Treatment of Hypertension with Massage Therapy
Excessive Liver Fire
Symptoms: Dizziness, headache, flushed face, restlessness, palpitations, bitter taste in the mouth, constipation, dark urine, red tongue with yellow dry coating, and wiry or wiry-tight pulse.
Treatment principles: Calming the liver, extinguishing wind, clearing the brain, and reducing fire.
Massage techniques: Focus on pushing the Bridge of the Nose Arch, pressing Jianyu, Quchi, Taichong, and massaging Hegu. Pay attention to revitalizing Baihui, Dazhui, and Lumbar Yangguan.
Yin Deficiency and Excessive Yang
Symptoms: Dizziness, headache, a sense of heaviness in the head, tinnitus, forgetfulness, restlessness, heat sensations in the chest, palpitations, insomnia, red tongue with thin white coating, and thin and rapid pulse.
Treatment principles: Nourishing blood, nourishing yin, and subduing liver yang.
Massage techniques: In addition to the basic techniques, add kneading and rubbing to Qihai, Guanyuan, Shenshu, and Yongquan acupoints for longer durations.
Both Yin and Yang Deficiency
Symptoms: Dizziness, headache, tinnitus, palpitations, shortness of breath during exertion, insomnia with vivid dreams, nocturia, muscle twitches, pale and red tongue, and thin and wiry pulse.
Treatment principles: Nourishing blood, nourishing yin, warming the kidneys, and strengthening yang.
Massage techniques: Focus on applying the "Yizhanchan" technique to Guanyuan, Qihai, the abdomen, and rubbing Xuehai, Sanyinjiao, and Yongquan acupoints. Also apply the technique to Shenshu, Pishu, Qihai, Guanyuan, and rub Pishu, Weishu, Shenshu, Mingmen, and Lumbar Yangguan.
Excessive Dampness and Phlegm
Symptoms: Dizziness, headache, feeling of heaviness in the head and chest, nausea, loss of appetite, sticky phlegm, palpitations, greasy white coating on the tongue, and slippery pulse.
Treatment principles: Strengthen the spleen, resolve dampness, eliminate phlegm, and descend rebellious qi.
Massage techniques: In addition to the basic techniques, add pressing and kneading to Zhongfu, Yunmen, Shanzhong, and Dianrù Tianhu acupoints, and pressing and kneading Zusanli and Fenglong acupoints for about 3 minutes.
Precautions for Massage Therapy for Hypertension
1. Massage therapy has a good effect on lowering blood pressure, but it is not suitable for treating hypertensive crises and paroxysmal hypertension.
2. Hypertensive patients should maintain a relaxed state of mind and avoid mental stimulation.
3. Maintain a regular lifestyle and avoid excessive fatigue. You can engage in appropriate physical exercise under the guidance of a physician.
4. The diet should be light, with less consumption of animal fats, viscera, and stimulating foods such as tobacco and alcohol.
