One of the more studied applications of acupuncture is the treatment of hypertension. By decreasing both muscular stresses and vascular tone the body has the ability to decrease both systolic and diastolic pressures. This happens both acutely in the immediate treatment session and is also possible to physically retrain the body to remain at lower blood pressures despite ongoing stresses. Studies to date have indicated that patients receiving appropriate acupuncture intervention will hold lowered blood pressure at 6 months and 1 year after acupuncture has been stopped.