Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatments For Angina Pectoris (Chest Pain)

Angina pectoris, more commonly known as chest pain, is a sign of coronary artery disease, which is a cardiovascular condition. Chest pain develops when insufficient amounts of oxygen-transporting blood reaches an area of the heart, causing a tightening or squeezing sensation in the various parts of the body particularly in the back, neck, shoulders, arms, or chest. According to the American Heart Association, angina pectoris affects about 10 million Americans and around 500,000 new cases of stable angina occurring each year. This means that around five percent of men and women in the United States suffer from angina.

Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been treating angina and other types of coronary artery diseases for hundreds of years by means of herbal formulas, acupuncture, tai chi and qi gong long before the development of modern pharmaceutical medications. Nowadays, these TCM therapies are still being used albeit as alternative and adjunctive treatments for cardiovascular diseases.

What is Angina Pectoris?

Angina pectoris can be classified into three types—variant, unstable, and stable. Variant angina is a cardiovascular condition that rarely occurs. It usually happens during nighttime and when the body is at rest. It generates an acute type of pain that can be alleviated with the use of drugs. Unstable angina is a condition that’s almost impossible to predict. It may occur when the body is either being overexerted or at rest. As unstable angina can induce a heart attack, it requires immediate medical attention. The most common form of angina is stable angina and it follows a pattern that can be predicted. When the heart is overexerted, it can cause chest tightness and pain as well as pain in the back, neck, shoulder, and arm. This type of angina is controllable and its occurrence does not necessarily indicate an impending heart attack.

Angina Treatment via Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

TCM treatments for cardiovascular conditions combine pharmaceutical, psychological, and physical, approaches that include manipulations, acupuncture, dietary modifications, and herbal medicine, which are all designed to enhance the flow of energy in the body.

Extensive animal and human studies have been done on all major TCM treatments. The outcomes of these studies range from “zero effect” to “significant effect(s).” The different protocols and standards from studies done in different countries make it difficult to compare results. Because of the large number of sufferers, treatments for cardiovascular conditions are among the most frequently studied. These studies have dealt with the cost of allopathic modalities, as well as the severe effects on health and lifespan of cardiovascular conditions.
North American, European, and Asian studies involving angina patients suggest some degree of effectiveness of acupuncture treatment as a standalone therapy and as an adjunct to other therapies, including conventional Western treatments, shiatsu massage, and herbal medicine.

According to TCM, angina can be caused by several forms of syndromes. It may arise when there is a deficiency in the yin and kidney qi; when the heart is obstructed by phlegm, cold, or heat; or when qi stagnates in the heart. Qi or energy travels throughout the body via energy vessels known as meridians. These meridians connect the internal organs to the surface of the body. When qi stagnates in a meridian, this affects the balance between yin and yang causing a deficiency within the body. Physical exercises like qi gong or tai chi are performed to stimulate the flow of qi; acupuncture uses specific acupoints to stimulate the affected meridians; while herbal medicines are prescribed in order to balance energy and self-regulate the body.

Tai Chi and Qigong

Tai chi and qi gong are exercises that can help calm the mind and energize the body through precise gentle stretching movements and concentration. The ensuing harmony removes the obstructions to energy flow— in Western medicine, this means an improvement in cardiovascular, circulatory, and respiratory activity. One great benefit of tai chi is its adaptability; certain routines that are highly useful in any physical condition, including limited mobility or disabilities, can be designed by practitioners. Due to its meditative, low impact nature, tai chi can be a good option for low- to moderate-risk cardiovascular patients, prior to and post-surgery.

It was found in a Chinese study that following a course of qigong exercise, blood pressure can be lowered in women suffering from coronary heart disease resulting in a significant decrease in the severity and frequency of angina attacks. One other study showed that depression, social functioning, bodily pain, blood pressure, and general well-being of the patients all improved after a course of qigong (which is comprised of controlled breathing and movement as well as medication) lasting 16 weeks.

Angina Treatment Using Chinese Herbal Medicine

There are literally thousands of kinds of Chinese herbal formulas and they can come in the form of simple teas to complex decoctions (extracts derived by boiling down an herb). Herbal medicine is actually the most widely used and most popular component of TCM. Over the past 20 years, several studies have revealed that herbal formulas are used by around 25% to 50% of patients with cardiovascular disease.

The aim of Chinese herbal medicine is to normalize the smooth movement of qi through the energy channels in order to restore yin/yang balance. By promoting the smooth and unhindered flow of qi, blood flow is also restored resulting in the alleviation of angina-related pain. For heart qi deficiency a formula known as Protect the Source Decoction or Bao Yuan Tang can be used; for blood and qi stagnation Stasis in The Mansion of Blood Decoctionor or Hsue Fu Zhu Yu Tang can be prescribed; and for heart yang deficiency complicated by phlegm, Trichosanthes Fruit, Chinese Chive, and Wine Decoction or Gua Luo Hsie Bai Bai Jiu Tang can be used. These formulas contain herbs such as root of angelica, safflower, Chinese chive, pinellia tuber, trichosanthes fruit, and macrostein onion, to name a few.

A licensed or experienced Chinese medicine herbalist or practitioner customizes the herbal remedy based on the specific needs of the patient. A variety of single herbs are either subtracted or added to boost the effectiveness of the therapy.

Acupuncture Treatment for Angina

Research shows that acupuncture combined with patient education can lead to substantial improvements than intervention alone. In some Western and Chinese studies, following acupuncture treatments, the severity and frequency of angina attacks were lessened.

In animal studies dealing with acupuncture treatment of heart-related conditions, results show that needling of the PC 6 or Pericardium 6 acupoint (the Neiguan acupoint) can help strengthen myocardial contractions by inhibiting earlier physiologic processes that play a role in angina attacks. A 2005 study showed that acupuncture treatment at the PC 4 and Neiguan acupoints led to an improvement in heart’s stroke volume by improving the contractility of the wall of the left ventricle.

Other acupoints such as the Ren 17 (Shanshong) and B 15 (Hsinshu) can help relieve angina symptoms. For acute angina conditions, acupoints on the fingertips such as the Lu 11 (Shaoshang), Ht 9 (Shaochong), and Pc 9 (Zhongchong) can work very well.

Depending on your current symptoms and constitution, your acupuncturist will select the most effective acupuncture points for the treatment of your angina.

Risks in the Use of TCM Modalities

1. Talk to your healthcare provider first before embarking on any type of exercise programs. You should also seek an experienced tai chi or qigong instructor to in order to be guided properly when doing these exercises.
2. As with all medicines, Chinese herbal formulas can heal as well as cause harm. The active ingredients in some herbal compounds and herbs can interact with standard medications (over-the-counter and prescription) as well as with other herbs. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult with a Chinese herbalist and with your physician before using herbs.
3. Massage and acupuncture are both very low risk modalities especially when they’re done by an experienced and trained professional. Select only an acupuncturist who is licensed by your state.

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a healing system that works on the principle that the mind and body of each individual function through the movement of intangible forces such as qi (vital energy) and yin and yang within the body. The flow and production qi and yin/yang are controlled by organ systems such as the stomach, spleen, large intestine, lung, liver, gallbladder, etc. Each organ system is affiliated with one of the basic TCM elements that comprise the human body: water, fire, earth, metal, and wood. TCM treatments are designed to stimulate the organs and the energy channels through which flow yin/yang, and qi in order to bring about proper balance and movement of these elements.

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1303 Astor St #101
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 715-1824

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