Hypertension is a series of clinical symptoms marked by increase of blood pressure in the arteries of body circu-lation. According to the criteria suggested by WHO in 1996, adults with systolic pressure 140 mmHg (18.72kPa) and/or diastolic pressure 90 mmHg (12.3 kPa)can be diagnosed with hypertension (result of three times of test done not continually in one day). Hy-pertension should be differentiated from secondary hyper-tension (symptomatic hypertension). This disease is simi-lar to dizziness and headache in TCM. It is usually caused by emotional factors, constitutional defects, diet and o-verstrain that lead to imbalance of yin and yang in the liv-er, spleen and kidney, eventually resulting in hyperactivi-ty of liver fire, or phlegm disturbing the upper, or fre-quent asthenia of kidney yin and failing of yin to control yang. It may be caused by consumption of yin involving yang and asthenia of both yin and yang in prolonged dis-ease.
Treatment
Prescription: Fengchi ( GB 20 ), Quchi ( LI 11 ), Hegu (LI 4), Xuehai (SP 10), Fenglong (ST 40) and Taichong (LR 3).
Modification: For hyperactivity of liver yang, Xingjian (LR 2) and Baihui (GV 20) are added; for phlegm-fire disturbing the upper; Fenglong (ST 40) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) are added; for yin asthenia and yang hyperactivity, Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Sany-injiao (SP 6) and Taixi (KI 3) are added; for asthenia of both yin and yang, Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) are added; for in-somnia and dysphoria, Shenmen (HT 7 ) is added; for constipation, Zhigou (TE 6) is added; for oppression and fullness in the chest and epigastrium, Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) are added; for numbness of limbs, Yan-glingquan (GB 34) is added.
Performance: The needling techniques are selected according to the manifestations of syndromes. For as-thenia of both yin and yang, moxibustion can be used or e-lectropuncture may be resorted to for supplementary purpose.
2. Ear acupuncture
Prescription: Ear Shenmen ( TF4 ), Upper Fossa (TF1), Liver ( C012 ), Kidney ( CO10 ), Tubercule (HXs), Adrenal Gland (TG2p), Sympathetic (AH6a) and Subcortical (AT4).
Performance: Each time 3 - 5 acupoints can be selected and needled with filiform needles with moderate and strong stimulation. The needles are retained for 30 minutes and manipulated once every 5 - 10 minutes, once a day or once every other day. Or Wangbuliuxingzi (Se-men Vaccariae) is used for ear pressure. Or three-edged needle is used for bloodletting on the tip of the ear or back of the ear, once every other day.
