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.

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.