Every once in awhile, we’ll have a patient ask us if chiropractic care helps with blood pressure. Well…good news!\

A study done at the 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 help 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, if it is compressing or irritating the nerves and blood vessels in that area, it can cause functional problems that negatively affect your health.

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

Here’s the link at the University of Chicago Medical center:
http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2007/20070314-atlas.html

Have a great day!