Chiropractic and Blood Pressure
According to the CDC, high blood pressure occurs in approximately one out of three adults and in over two out of three seniors. Of these, only about half of adults with high blood pressure are believed to have it under control. High blood pressure puts patients at risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease; all three of which are in the top ten causes of death in the United States. While diet, exercise, and other aspects of lifestyle are major factors affecting blood pressure, some severe cases may still require medication to control it. Less severe cases may as well, while working toward naturally lowering it. But is there a way for chiropractic to help reduce blood pressure? According to the Journal of Human Hypertension, there very well could.
In a March 2007 article titled, “Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study” 50 patients with stage one hypertension not on medication were assigned to receive either chiropractic care using the NUCCA technique or a ‘sham’ adjustment on their first vertebra in the neck. Patients received adjustments once per week for 8 weeks over the course of the study. After completion of the study, the results showed with 90% an average reduction to normal levels. This is especially significant considering earlier medical studies have shown that in order to control blood pressure even 70% of the time in stage-one patients requires at least two blood pressure medications taken together.
This study is what’s known as a pilot study, which means it has a relatively small number of patients, but it certainly provides good evidence that chiropractic care could help reduce blood pressure and hopefully a larger study will be done soon. Until then, keep up a good diet, get in some exercise, and keep yourself topped of with chiropractic care for good health.
--Joshua J. J. Jorde
PDF of the original article can be downloaded with the following link: