Chiropractic adjustments work to harmonize all the body’s organic functions by realigning the bones of the spine. By doing so pressure and irritation are removed restoring proper function to the nervous system. Along with a multitude of other health issues resolved with chiropractic care, chiropractic adjustments consistently achieve remarkable results in helping to stabilize blood pressure.
The nervous system is what allows our internal physiology to adapt to the stresses and demands of the external environment. The skull and spine surround and protect the nervous system providing support and structure to our body. When environmental stress becomes too great our spinal bones misalign, irritating our nervous system. This interference is termed a subluxation. Subluxations cause the nervous system to be stressed and move toward sympathetic (fight or flight) dominance. This process increases stress hormone secretion, inflammatory processes, and blood vessel tone. For many individuals this results in higher blood pressure. Chiropractic adjustments remove subluxations and restore proper function to the nervous system allowing the body to stabilize and heal naturally.
A double blind study of 75 patients was performed to analyze the reports that chiropractic care could help stabilize blood pressure. Within this study, one group of patients with elevated blood pressure received adjustments to the thoracic spine area. Another group received placebos (movements that seemed to be adjustments but were not), and a third group received no treatment. The results showed that the adjusted group experienced decreases in both systolic & diastolic blood pressure while no change was noted in either the control or placebo group.
In another double blind study, attention was focused on upper thoracic chiropractic adjustments. The study consisted of 21 subjects with elevated blood pressure. Subjects in the active group (those getting adjusted) showed statistically significant decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Placebo and control groups demonstrated no such changes and did not differ significantly from each other. Results support that adjustment of the thoracic region significantly reduces blood pressure.
If you suffer from high blood pressure make sure you get a chiropractic evaluation to see if your system is compromised due to subluxations.
