On March 25, 2008, a story broke on ABC’s Good Morning America about chiropractic care and blood pressure.
A study done in March of 2007 at University of Chicago Medical Center confirmed that specific chiropractic adjustments to the C-1 vertebra in the neck (that’s the first bone in your neck, right under your skull) can reduce blood pressure.
According to lead author George Bakris, MD, director of the hypertension center at the University of Chicago Medical Center, unlike other vertebrae, which interlock one to the next, the atlas (also known as C-1) relies solely on soft tissue (muscles and ligaments) to maintain alignment; therefore is uniquely vulnerable to displacement. Displacement of C-1 can occur without pain and thus, often goes undetected and untreated.
The authors say the improvement in blood pressure following the specific chiropractic adjustment of the C-1 vertebra is similar to that seen by giving patients two different blood pressure-lowering drugs simultaneously. The reduction in blood pressure continued into the eighth week.
At this point the authors do not know why this improvement in blood pressure occurs. My opinion is that any time the spine is misaligned, it alters the function of the brain and nervous system thus causing functional problems that negatively affect your health.
Hint: That’s why chiropractic care can literally help with anything! It’s because it doesn’t treat a symptom, disorder, or disease – it treats the person.
Because of this study, the medical community is taking notice of how powerful chiropractic care can be. A larger study is underway to confirm the findings of this breakthrough in reducing blood pressure.
This is exciting news! It not only shows how powerful chiropractic care is, but it also shows how your body can develop health problems when your spine is not healthy and in proper alignment.
If you’d like to watch the video on ABC’s website, here is the link:
http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchtext=chiropractic%20+%20blood%20pressure&type
If you are unable to view the video, just go to www.abcnews.com and in the search box type in “chiropractic + blood pressure.”
Here’s the link at the University of Chicago Medical center: http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2007/20070314-atlas.html
Helping you live YOUR Vibrant Potential,
Dr. Chris Frykman
Shakopee, MN