Lowering blood pressure isn’t limited to drugs. When applied correctly, it can be done even naturally. Basic natural treatments such as lifestyle changes, regular exercise, diet and various relaxation methods such as meditation can have a significant effect.
Robert Schneider, MD, Dean of the College of Maharishi Vedic Medicine at the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, and the director of the university’s government-sponsored Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention, is excited about meditation and when it comes to treating high blood pressure the advice is “Meditation, not medication,”. This is not the only advice he has but this one is right up at the top of his list.
Dr. R. Schneider has been researching the ancient medical science of Maharishi Vedic medicine for years. He like many other leading medics in the country is worried due to citing statistics from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
The numbers show that with about 50 million adults in the United States suffer from high blood pressure and this medical condition is serious life treat for any of those patients if left untreated. And the sooner, the better.
The devastative effect of high blood pressure on the body organs is widely discussed in all available forums and media. Heart disease (heart failure, heart attack) and stroke are the first and third leading causes of death, respectively, in the U.S. (Cancer is second.) and hypertension can lead to all of them.
Approximately 600 studies have been conducted worldwide to better understand how transcendental meditation can help lower blood pressure. And surprisingly or not the studies have repeatedly shown that meditation can be effective in easing stress which is one of the major risk factors for developing of cardiovascular problems and stroke.
“TM or Transcendental Meditation is a simple mind-body technique that allows you to gain a unique state of restful awareness or alertness,” says Dr. R. Schneider.
Among many other meditative techniques, TM is the only one that has been thoroughly studied and found effective in reducing the risk factor for heart disease.
Although still there is not sufficient information how it exactly works, the researchers suggest that through TM deep rest is achieved which in turn sparks biochemical changes and helps the body and mind reach a more balanced state. Such a more balanced state is triggering the self-repair mechanism of the body.
TM is a simple technique that involves the repetition of the “mantra”, certain word or phrase, while seated relaxed with closed eyes in a quite place and in a comfortable position, for twice a day and 20 minutes a session. E.g. the mantra could be just the repetition of the word ’Om’.
According to the study led by Dr. Schneider and reported in 1995 in the journal Hypertension, TM technique showed reduction in systolic blood pressure by more than 10 points and diastolic pressure by more than 6. …And all that without taking any drugs or medications.
There are many simple techniques that can be used to lower blood pressure gradually to take control of your life again.