Chiropractic adjustments can lower your blood pressure

Chiropractic adjustments can lower your blood pressure

We all know that high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and other health problems and even death. The scary part of high blood pressure is that you can have it and not know it because there are no symptoms or signs to look for. About one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, and one in five of them don't even know they have high blood pressure.

You ask what is causing the increase in pressure in my circulatory system. Well, it can be hereditary, being overweight, not exercising, not eating healthy foods, too much salt, alcohol and/or caffeine, smoking and stress.

High blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. Over time, high blood pressure can harm the body in many ways. Normal blood pressure is considered to be less than 120 the top number (systolic) over 80 the bottom number (diastolic).

George Bakris, MD, a study leader, conducted an eight-week study of 50 patients with early-stage hypertension. None of the 50 patients were taking medication for high blood pressure. 25 of the patients had a specific chiropractic adjustment, while the other 25 patients had a different chiropractic adjustment. The 25 patients who received the special chiropractic adjustment were found to have significantly lower blood pressure. Dr. Bakris explained that this specific adjustment had the effect of two different blood pressure medications. He also stated that patients did not experience any side effects or problems from the special adjustment.

The atlas vertebra known as the C1 vertebra (so-called because it holds the head up), the bone at the top of the spine, was realigned in the 25 patients with the special chiropractic adjustment. The study showed a drop in systolic pressure of about 14 mm Hg and an average drop in diastolic pressure of 8 mm Hg. Dr. Marshall Dickholtz, Sr., DC, was the chiropractor who performed all adjustments during the study. He considers the C1 vertebrae to be a “fuse box” for the body. He mentioned that there are two centers at the base of the brain that control all the muscles in the body. If you pinch the base of the brain and the C1 is locked in a position just half a millimeter out of alignment, it disrupts the centers but does not cause pain.

Don't take any chances and get your blood pressure checked today. Many pharmacies have BP machines that you can use for free. Take time today to have your spine examined by a chiropractor and avoid harming your health.

Inspired by Brandon Czekaj