Most people think of chiropractic care as an effective way of helping back and neck pain. I have seen firsthand that chiropractic is a lot more than this. It is great to see that research has come out that supports what we see in practice. Research published in 2007 in the Journal of Human Hypertension showed that chiropractic care can lower blood pressure. The findings and conclusion by the researchers was great. Continue reading to see their results.
The study was a randomised, controlled trial of hypertensive patients. The hypothesis of the study was that correcting mal-alignment of the Atlas vertebrae (The top vertebrae of the spine) reduces and maintains a lower blood pressure. The participants in the intervention group received a form of upper cervical chiropractic care called NUCCA. The duration of the study was 8 weeks.
The authors wrote, “We conclude that restoration of the Atlas alignment is associated with marked and sustained reductions in BP similar to the use of two-drug combination therapy.”
This shows that the participants that were getting the chiropractic care had a reduction in their blood pressure, and more importantly, this reduction was sustained. The reduction in the blood pressure was equivalent to people that were taking 2 medications to lower blood pressure.
I don’t know about you, but to me, if you can avoid taking medication for something that can be achieved naturally, it is worth it. This was a pilot study so hopefully more and more research will come out that backs this up and takes it even further.
As with many other conditions, exercising and eating well can also help control blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, chiropractic care, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise may be a great way to control it.
References:
Bakris G, Dickholtz M Sr, Meyer PM, Kravitz G, Avery E, Miller M, Brown J, Woodfield C, Bell B: Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study. J Hum Hypertens. 2007 May;21(5):347-52. Epub 2007 Mar 2.
The authors wrote, “We conclude that restoration of the Atlas alignment is associated with marked and sustained reductions in BP similar to the use of two-drug combination therapy.”
This shows that the participants that were getting the chiropractic care had a reduction in their blood pressure, and more importantly, this reduction was sustained. The reduction in the blood pressure was equivalent to people that were taking 2 medications to lower blood pressure.
I don’t know about you, but to me, if you can avoid taking medication for something that can be achieved naturally, it is worth it. This was a pilot study so hopefully more and more research will come out that backs this up and takes it even further.
As with many other conditions, exercising and eating well can also help control blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, chiropractic care, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise may be a great way to control it.
References:
Bakris G, Dickholtz M Sr, Meyer PM, Kravitz G, Avery E, Miller M, Brown J, Woodfield C, Bell B: Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study. J Hum Hypertens. 2007 May;21(5):347-52. Epub 2007 Mar 2.
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