03 May Chiropractic Care’s Beneficial Effects on Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure is one of the functions of your body that often works invisibly. Millions of Americans have blood pressure that’s too high (a condition also known as hypertension), and many are unaware they have it. That’s why it’s so important to be proactive about monitoring your health.
Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic provides treatments for reducing the pain and stress that often contribute to elevated blood pressure and other health problems. Research also shows that chiropractic neck adjustments can correct misalignments that may raise blood pressure.
How Hypertension Affects Your Health
As your heart pumps blood to the rest of your body, it exerts force against the walls of your arteries.
A normal blood pressure is at or below 120/80. The first number (systolic) measures artery pressure from heart beats. The second number (diastolic) shows the pressure between beats, when your heart rests. If this pressure gets too strong, it can damage the heart, leading to strokes and heart attacks.
Causes of elevated blood pressure include family history, poor diet, and conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol and kidney disease. Sometimes a spinal misalignment may contribute to raised blood pressure.
Research Shows Neck Adjustments Reduce Blood Pressure
A 2007 study found that chiropractic neck adjustments given to blood pressure patients lowered their pressure.
In the study, people with mildly elevated blood pressure were randomly divided into two groups—one received a specialized neck adjustment, while the control group was given a sham adjustment. The patients stayed off any blood pressure medications during the study.
The adjustments involved the spine’s very top vertebra, known as the Atlas vertebra, which sits just below the skull. Its structures protect spinal nerves, as well as the arteries and veins that carry blood to and from the brain. Even small misalignments of the vertebra can cause injury and circulation problems.
By the end of the study, patients who’d been given an authentic neck adjustment showed a notable improvement in blood pressure readings. Their systolic (top) number went down by 17 points, and the diastolic (bottom) by 10 points.
It’s also important to note that misalignments of the Atlas vertebra can be present without symptoms. People may unknowingly have misaligned vertebrae and potential health damage–a good reminder of the value of proactive spinal exams.
The Natural Benefits of Chiropractic Treatments
One of the advantages of visiting your chiropractor is getting relief from pain and other health problems without medication.
Any drugs, such as the ones for high blood pressure, come with side effects and extra costs that must be balanced against the benefits. Chiropractic care, in contrast, provides safe treatments without the risks of medications.
Overall, there’s another benefit of caring for your spine: by relieving pain, chiropractic therapies also help to reduce the emotional stress that can send blood pressure in the wrong direction.
Everyone can make a plan to take charge of achieving their best health. Chiropractic care is a vital, safe, and effective element of your good health plan.
Contact Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic for your Complimentary Visit
Call our Broken Arrow office at 918-940-4630 today.