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There are several ways to bring down high blood pressure without using medication but warning must be given not to do so without consultation with your doctor.

High blood pressure is caused by various factors and by tackling those causes you can help bring your blood pressure down.

Stress is a major cause of high blood pressure in modern society, so it follows, if you can learn to reduce or cope with stress, you will automatically lower blood pressure. In a busy life everyone should be able to find a few minutes each day to practice relaxation techniques.

One simple exercise is to sit upright in a chair, close your eyes and concentrate on watching your own breath. Any time your concentrate wanders just bring it back and watch how you breathe in, pause, breathe out, pause, then breathe in again. It is amazing how hypnotic it becomes and it gives the body time to relax and bring down the blood pressure. It may take some practice but eventually you will be able to bring yourself into this state of relaxation with no effort. Once you can, you can do short, one minute meditations throughout your day even while sitting at your desk, washing the dishes or while doing the chores. Even this will bring down the blood pressure.

Yoga, Tai Chi and Chi Quong classes are wonderful for lowering blood pressure as is any repetitive exercise like swimming and running.

Modern diet must take its share of blame for the number of people suffering from high blood pressure. More and more people are obese and I use that word deliberately if only for its shock factor. Most people will admit to being over-weight; they will not confess to being obese.

There are two factors to consider here: firstly that the body cannot cope effectively with the extra weight that puts undue pressure on the heart and other systems. In addition, the foodstuffs themselves cause high blood pressure. It is not enough to simply lose weight, although that is essential. You must also be prepared to make permanent changes in diet. In particular that means cutting down on salt and fats. Salt is probably the most difficult change to make, so do so gradually. Start off with reducing the amount you add, so your taste buds have time to adapt. Be careful of replacing salt with the low salt products as these are largely potassium and carry their own problems.

Above, are all things that you can do for yourself. Trying out some complementary health therapies can also help. A six week course of reflexology, reiki or massage can significantly lower blood pressure. It should be mentioned though that this does not cure high blood pressure; it has been noted that once therapy stops, blood pressure will rise again unless major life style changes are made.

You can learn to do some complementary therapy yourself. Reflexology is ideal. Reflexology works on the principle that the foot is a map of the body. Massaging the foot is an excellent way to relax. If you can persuade someone else to give you a foot massage wonderful, however you can do it yourself. While you are watching the television, bring one foot up to your lap or on the couch along side you if you can reach. Simply massage as much of the foot as you can reach with slow massage, moving like a caterpillar. When you have covered that foot change to the other one.

High blood pressure is one of those diseases that creeps up on you as it does not have any significant symptoms. Mostly it is found out on routine examination but as it is a major cause of heart attacks and strokes it is not something to be taken lightly. In general by taking simple measures, making changes in lifestyle everyone can help to keep themselves healthier.

Learn more about this author, Ann Miller.
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