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Note: Some causes of hypotension (low blood pressure) are life threatening. Conditions, such as anaphylaxis and sepsis, are considered medical emergencies that require immediate medical care. Therefore, integrative therapies should not be used in place of conventional medicine when an individual has a potentially fatal medical problem. Unclear or conflicting scientific evidence:
DHEA: DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands. Unclear scientific evidence exists surrounding the safety or effectiveness of DHEA supplementation in patients with sepsis, a severe infection that may lead to hypotension. At this time, more proven therapies are recommended. Avoid if allergic to DHEA. Use cautiously with adrenal or thyroid disorders, depression, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, heart disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, anovulatory infertility, steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency, gynecomastia, overactive thyroid, bacterial infections, or diabetes. Use cautiously if at risk for prostate cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, or ovarian cancer. Use cautiously in HIV patients with Kaposi's sarcoma or in patients who have received flu shots. Use cautiously if taking alprazolam, amlodipine, anastrozole, benfluorex, beta-adrenergic antagonists, calcium channel blockers, canrenoate, danazol, diltiazem, growth hormone, methylphenidates, metopirone, nitrendipine, or hormones or dietary supplements with hormone-like effects (e.g. chromium picolinate). Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding. Ephedra: Chemicals in ephedra can stimulate the heart, increase heart rate, and raise blood pressure. Ephedrine, a component of ephedra, is sometimes used in hospitals to help control blood pressure. However, the effects of over-the-counter ephedra supplements taken by mouth are not well described in this area. Ephedra is considered unsafe for humans. Serious reactions, including heart attack, stroke, seizure, and death, have occurred. Therefore, ephedrine, which is made from ephedra, should only be used under the strict supervision of a healthcare provider. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding. Physical therapy: The goal of physical therapy is to improve mobility, restore function, reduce pain, and prevent further injury. A variety of techniques, including exercises, stretches, traction, electrical stimulation, and massage, are used during physical therapy sessions. Additional studies are needed to determine if physical therapy can increase blood pressure. Not all physical therapy programs are suited for everyone, and patients should discuss their medical history with their qualified healthcare professionals before beginning any treatments. Based on the available literature, physical therapy appears generally safe when practiced by a qualified physical therapist. However, physical therapy may aggravate some pre-existing conditions. Persistent pain and fractures of unknown origin have been reported. Physical therapy may increase the duration of pain or cause limitation of motion. Pain and anxiety may occur during the rehabilitation of patients with burns. Both morning stiffness and bone erosion have been reported in the physical therapy literature, although causality is unclear. Erectile dysfunction has also been reported. All therapies during pregnancy and breastfeeding should be discussed with a licensed obstetrician/gynecologist before initiation. Traditional or theoretical uses lacking sufficient evidence:
Adrenal extract: Adrenal extracts come from the adrenal glands of cows, pigs, or sheep. It has been suggested that adrenal extract may help treat patients with low blood pressure. However, studies have not been performed to determine if this therapy is safe and effective in humans. Avoid if allergic to adrenal extract. Since adrenal extracts come from cow, pig, or sheep adrenal glands, there is concern about contamination with diseased animal parts. Avoid with immune deficiencies (such as HIV/AIDS) because adrenal extracts may increase the risk of infection. Avoid in countries where mad cow disease has been found. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding. Ginger: The underground stems (called rhizomes) and above ground stems of ginger have been used in Chinese, Japanese, and Indian medicine for hundreds of years. There have been anecdotal reports of reduced blood pressure in people who took ginger. However, this use has not been scientifically studied, and it remains unknown if ginger can effectively treat hypotension. Avoid if allergic to ginger or other members of the Zingiberaceae family (such as red ginger, shell ginger, or green cardamom). Stop taking two weeks before surgery/dental/diagnostic procedures with bleeding risks. Avoid with a history of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Use cautiously with a history of ulcers, acid reflux, heart conditions, inflammatory bowel disease, blocked intestines, bleeding disorders, or gallstones. Use cautiously if taking anticoagulants. Use cautiously if driving or operating machinery. Use cautiously if pregnant or breastfeeding. Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is broadly defined as the external application of water in any form or temperature for healing purposes. It may include immersion in a bath or body of water (such as the ocean or a pool), use of water jets, douches, application of wet towels to the skin, or water birth. Although it has been suggested that hydrotherapy may help treat patients with low blood pressure, it has not been thoroughly researched. Until studies are performed in this area, it remains unknown if this is a safe and effective therapy for humans. Avoid sudden or prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures in baths, wraps, saunas, or other forms of hydrotherapy, particularly with heart disease, lung disease, or if pregnant. Avoid with implanted medical devices (e.g. pacemakers, defibrillators, or liver infusion pumps). Vigorous use of water jets should be avoided with fractures, known blood clots, bleeding disorders, severe osteoporosis, open wounds, or during pregnancy. Use cautiously with Raynaud's disease, chilblains, acrocyanosis, erythrocyanosis, or impaired temperature sensitivity. Use cautiously if pregnant or breastfeeding. Hydrotherapy should not delay the time to diagnosis or treatment with more proven techniques or therapies, and should not be used as the sole approach to illnesses. Patients with known illnesses should consult their physicians before starting hydrotherapy. Lavender: Oils from lavender flowers are used in aromatherapy, baked goods, candles, cosmetics, detergents, jellies, massage oils, perfumes, powders, shampoo, soaps, and teas. Although lavender has been suggested as a possible treatment for low blood pressure, studies have not evaluated the safety or effectiveness of this therapy. Research is warranted in this area. Avoid if allergic or hypersensitive to lavender. Avoid with a history of seizures, bleeding disorders, eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia), or anemia (low levels of iron). Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.
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