High Blood Pressure Normalizes with Chiropractic Adjustments
Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study. Bakris, G, Dickholtz M et al. Journal of Human Hypertension (2007), 1-6.
“Anatomical abnormalities of the cervical spine at the level of the Atlas vertebra are associated with relative ischaemia of the brainstem circulation and increased blood pressure (BP). Manual correction of this malalignment has been associated with reduced arterial pressure. This pilot study tests the hypothesis that correcting mal-alignment of the Atlas vertebra reduces and maintains a lower BP. Using a double blind, placebo controlled design.”
What is this study about? It says that the use of specific chiropractic adjustments to correct subluxation showed a dramatic improvement in patients’ blood pressure. This study used a double-blind, placebo controlled design. That type of study design is held to be the most effective for determining cause and effect relationships.
What did they do in the study? Fifty individuals with high blood pressure readings were given a chiropractic examination, and were found to have a subluxation of the first cervical vertebra. The blood pressure of all fifty patients was recorded. Then, the patients were divided into two equal groups: one group received chiropractic care to correct the subluxation, while the other half received a ‘sham,’ or fake adjustment. This second group was the ‘placebo,’ or control group, since they did not receive an adjustment.
What were the results of the study? The group that received chiropractic care showed a significant improvement in their blood pressure. The following is an excerpt from the discussion of the results:
“The improvement in BP following the correction of Atlas misalignment is similar to that seen by giving two different anti-hypertensive agents simultaneously. Moreover, this reduction of BP persisted at eight weeks and was not associated with pain or pain relief or any other symptom.”
What other resources should I refer to? See Doctors on Drugs in the Lending Library, or read the awesome chiropractic and blood pressure testimonials in our testimonial books in the office. If you would like a copy of one to pass on to a loved one, ask the team!
Whom do I give this to? Anyone with blood pressure issues, anyone who has had a history of neck trauma, or anyone who is interested in seeing some of the constantly growing amount of chiropractic research.
Dr. Jessie-I really enjoy your quoting the article and then your synopsis of them. I can use my brain and then go to the synopsos to see if I missed anything. You are a great writer of course.