Living with high blood pressure can be scary. It raises your risk of heart disease, including heart attack, which is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Most doctor’s will prescribe various medications to get the blood pressure down, most which cause unpleasant side effects, to say the least. Many patient’s feel uncomfortable taking these types of prescriptions, especially if they follow a healthy lifestyle, meaning they are of a healthy weight, exercise and eat nutritious foods. For people who are looking for a more natural way to get their blood pressure under control, there are options, with chiropractic being one of them.

Although it may be assumed that if you are a smoker, obese, under high stress and drink a significant amount of alcohol regularly that you may have high blood pressure, there is really no way of knowing until you get tested. There are no clear symptoms of hypertension, so getting your blood pressure tested by a sphygmomanometer is crucial to stay on top of your heart health. It is estimated that a third of people with high blood pressure do not know that they have it, making their risk for heart disease rise significantly. 

There has been research that suggests that manipulations done to a particular spot on the spine may facilitate the reduction in blood pressure. The vertebrae, known as the atlas, is located at the base of the skull, in the neck area. When this vertebrae is misaligned, a specific chiropractic technique is able to readjust it, potentially reducing hypertension and lowering high blood pressure. The National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association is credited for discovering this type of chiropractic technique, causing it to be universally known by all chiropractors. 

Studies have shown that people who received the specialized manipulation on their atlas vertebrae received the same benefits by the chiropractic treatment alone that the patients who were taking the blood pressure medication experienced. In an eight week study, the individuals taking no medication and getting chiropractic treatments started treatments with a 139/89 blood pressure, and ended with an average of 14 points dropped off the top number and 8 points dropped off the bottom number. 

Chiropractors also have found that patients with high blood pressure also experience neck pain, such as stiffness and tightness of the neck muscles. This has been attributed to the atlas vertebrae as well. When the atlas is out of alignment, it can put pressure on the surrounding muscles and joints, causing the chronic neck pain. When the atlas manipulation is done to the vertebra, then not only can the blood pressure be reduced, but the pain may also be alleviated. High blood pressure is far from the only thing an Atlas misalignment causes. However, if people have high blood pressure, there is a tremendous possibility they need an Atlas adjustment.

If you are experiencing high blood pressure perhaps a chiropractic adjustment could help! Please call the office at 910.246.0606 to schedule your appointment today!

Posted in Chiropractic Care

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