Studies indicate that acupuncture treatments in conjunction with patient education result in significant improvements over either intervention alone. In both Chinese and some Western studies, the frequency and severity of angina attacks were reduced following acupuncture treatments.

The results of animal model studies investigating the use of acupuncture for heart-related conditions indicates acupuncture at the Neiguan area (or Pericardium 6 — PC 6) may strengthen myocardial contractions by preventing earlier physiologic processes involved in angina attacks. Another team of researchers suggested in a 2006 study that acupuncture at the PC 6 and PC 4 acupoints might improve the stroke volume of the heart by enhancing the contractility of the left ventricle wall.

Other acupoints that may help alleviate angina when they are stimulated are Xinshu (BL15) and Shanzhong (Ren 17). Additional, several points on the fingertips, including Zhongchong (PC9), Shaochong (HT 9), and Shaoshang (Lu11), are highly effective for acute cases of angina.

An acupuncturist will choose the most effective acupuncture points for angina based upon your constitutional and the current symptoms you are experiencing.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Angina
Chinese herbal remedies numbering in the thousands, from simple teas to complex decoctions (extracts obtained by boiling down a substance), are the most widely known and used component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Various studies over the past two decades suggest that between 25% and 50% of cardiovascular patients are using herbal remedies.

The principle behind using herbal remedies is to stimulate the regular flow of qi through the meridians in order to restore the balance between yin and yang. By encouraging qi to flow freely without obstruction, blood circulation is restored and the pain of angina diminishes. Specific Chinese herbal medicine formulas include Bao Yuan Tang (Protect the Source Decoction) for Heart Qi deficiency, Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Stasis in The Mansion of Blood Decoction) for qi and blood stagnation, and Gua Luo Xie Bai Bai Jiu Tang (Trichosanthes Fruit, Chinese Chive, and Wine Decoction) for Heart Yang deficiency with Phlegm. These formulas contain such ingredients as trichosanthes fruit (from the gourd family), macrostein onion, pinellia tuber, Chinese chive, safflower, and Chinese angelica root, to name a few.

When using Chinese herbal medicine, the practitioner will customize the herbal prescription to meet the specific needs of your condition. A variety of single herbs are commonly added or subtracted to maximize the clinical effectiveness of the treatment.