Drs. Yurasek and Martin Publish Case Study on Acupuncture and Hypertension

Monday, February 25, 2013

Dr. Frank Yurasek

Frank Yurasek, PhD (China), and Brett Martin, DC, MSAc, both faculty members from National University, collaborated on a case study published in the February 2013 issue of the Journal of Chinese Medicine. The article titled,"The treatment of primary hypertension using plum blossom needle therapy," evaluated the use of a special acupuncture technique on a 55-year-old male with primary hypertension.

The study found that using a seven star plum blossom needle hammer on key acupuncture points twice weekly for six weeks resulted in a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The improvements were sustained during a 19-day follow up period.

Dr. Brett Martin

The authors emphasized the importance of such research by noting that: "Although conventional treatment of primary hypertension with medications is frequently successful, many of these drugs produce harmful side effects, so there is a demand for efficient and safe alternative methods of regulating blood pressure."

Dr. Yurasek is a faculty member and clinician in the acupuncture and oriental medicine program at National University's Illinois campus, while Dr. Martin teaches in the chiropractic medicine program on the university's Florida campus.