As we celebrate Valentine’s Day during the month of February, it is not surprising that this month is also recognized as Heart Health Month. For those that don’t know, overall heart health and wellness has become somewhat of a crisis in the US, with one out of every three adults diagnosed with high blood pressure. Even more alarming is the fact that, according to the CDC, only about half of these individuals have their high blood pressure effectively managed. These two factors are what contribute to the fact that heart disease is BY FAR the leading cause of death in the US with almost 700,000 people a year dying and over 50 million affected. Shockingly, this even surpasses cancer by almost 90,000 individuals.
So why is Heart Health Month so important and how does chiropractic affect high blood pressure and heart disease? In 2007, a study conducted by the University of Chicago Medical Center focused on 50 patients in the early stages of high blood pressure and hypertension. These patients were assessed by the University Hospital and an Upper Cervical practitioner and were identified as having a misalignment of their atlas bone. Over the course of 8 weeks, 25 of the patients were treated with upper cervical chiropractic care, while the other 25 receiving placebo or “fake” corrections.
What they found…
Of the 25 patients who received an actual adjustment, all 25 (100%) experienced significant changes to their blood pressure levels. The average decrease in the test group was 14 points in the top blood pressure number (systolic) and 8 points in the bottom number (diastolic) compared to the placebo group. The authors noted that the improvement in blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic readings) following the correction of the Atlas misalignment was comparable to the results of giving patients two different blood pressure-lowering drugs simultaneously. Again….100% of those patients who received the upper cervical correction had a significant decrease in their blood pressure.
How does the atlas vertebrae affect blood pressure?
First, the atlas protects the brainstem, which is directly responsible for transmitting electrical signals throughout the body. Think of this as the doorway between your brain, and the rest of your body. If the atlas is misaligned, it puts pressure on the brainstem which can cause body systems to go haywire, including those that regulate your blood pressure.
Second, the alignment of the neck bones (cervical spine) can also directly affect blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Each of these bones has small holes called foramen which allow passage of the arteries that provide oxygen to your brain from your heart. If this area is misaligned, the flow can be disrupted, similar to how a kink in a garden hose can stop the flow of water.
The Takeaway
Our Doctors at Pierce Clinic of Chiropractic are experts in assessing and correcting issues related to the upper cervical area of your spine. Using our state-of-the-art AdvO technique we can effectively identify the source of the problem and correct it, helping to manage nervous system related issues like high blood pressure or hypertension. If you or someone you know is dealing with high blood pressure or hypertension, celebrate Heart Health Month by scheduling an evaluation with us TODAY.
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