Can Chiropractic Adjustments Lower High Blood Pressure?

One-third of the adult population, around 70 million Americans, have high blood pressure (hypertension). In addition, 1 in 3 Americans has prehypertension, which means higher than normal blood pressure numbers. Even more alarming: 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure do not know they have it, because typically there are no associated symptoms.
Thankfully, chiropractic offers a drug-free approach to treating high blood pressure. Read on to learn more.

Understanding Blood Pressure and Hypertension

Each time the heart beats, it's pumping blood into the arteries of the body. Blood pressure is the force of the blood as it pushes against the walls of the arteries. The two numbers in a blood pressure reading are systolic, the top number that measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, and diastolic, which is the bottom number measuring the pressure in the arteries between beats.
Normal levels are 120/80 and lower, prehypertension levels are 120-139/80-89, hypertension stage 1 is 140-159/90-99, hypertension stage 2 is 160/100 or higher, and hypertension crisis (emergency care needed) is 180/110 or higher.

The Risks of Hypertension

This common condition is more dangerous and fatal than many people realize. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists high blood pressure as the primary or contributing cause of more than 360,000 American deaths in 2013. That's nearly 1,000 deaths each day.
The CDC also states that with high blood pressure, there's a great risk of other dangerous conditions:

• First heart attack: 70 percent of adults who have a first heart attack have high blood pressure
• First stroke: 80 percent of adults who have their first stroke have high blood pressure
• Chronic heart failure: 70 percent of adults with chronic heart failure have high blood pressure
• Kidney failure: High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure 

 

Treatment of High Blood Pressure

Fortunately, high blood pressure is simple to diagnosis and there are many methods of treatment. Regularly, doctors prescribe medication to control hypertension, but blood pressure often can be lowered using natural, non-pharmaceutical methods. Lifestyle changes play a big role in blood pressure; losing weight, exercising regularly, eating well, reducing excess sodium, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, cutting back on caffeine and reducing stress all positively contribute to healthy blood pressure levels.

Chiropractic Adjustments and Lowered Blood Pressure

In March of 2007, the Journal of Human Hypertension published a study that demonstrated a significant decrease in blood pressure following a chiropractic adjustment to the Atlas vertebra (located at the base of the skull). This study involved 50 individuals with high blood pressure; the improvement in blood pressure levels continued into the eighth week following the adjustment—potentially longer, as the study only assessed the patients following the adjustment and at a follow-up visit eight weeks later.

Make an appointment to talk to a chiropractic doctor about chiropractic and high blood pressure.

5 Natural Ways to Ditch Joint Pain

Our bodies carry us through this world—they help us achieve, touch and experience all aspects of being alive. But what happens when you can’t move… when it hurts? Time with family, social life, hobbies, work and even sleep can suffer. It’s so hard to enjoy your days when they’re full of pain or when your own body limits what you’re able to do. This is especially true for those dealing with chronic joint pain and arthritis. Depending on the individual, it can be mild to extremely painful, occasional to chronic and it can even limit mobility. It can happen anywhere there’s a joint—affecting the cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons or muscles—and sometimes in multiple places at once.
We know it’s hard, but we want to help—naturally! Here’s how you can start feeling better right now.

1 Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Inflammation makes your joints more susceptible to pain and injury, and it can also slow down the healing process. When a joint is inflamed, it limits your range of motion, overall strength and flexibility. Since food fuels the body, and can be some of the best medicine around, consider adopting an anti-inflammatory diet that may help with pain relief.

Inflammatory

• Refined sugars and grains
• Processed meat and red meat
• Alcohol and soda
• Packaged foods
• Margarine, shortening, lard

Anti-Inflammatory

• Green, leafy vegetables
• Wild-caught salmon
• Bone broth
• Healthy fats like organic, unrefined coconut oil
• Probiotic foods (yogurt)
• Fermented foods

2. Epsom Salt Soaks

Epsom salt is an old classic for good reason! Taking a nice relaxing bath may offer a lot of relief by itself, but adding Epsom salt can help lower inflammation, reduce muscle spasms and relax tense, sore muscles. It’s high in magnesium and sulfates and easily absorbed into the skin! Add two cups of salt to your warm bath (not hot!), and soak for at least twenty minutes. If you’d like, you can also turn it into a warm compress—just dilute your salt in some warm water, soak a towel in it to absorb the liquid and apply directly to the skin.

3. Ice Therapy

For inflammation and joint discomfort or pain, ice therapy is a great form of pain relief! Cold restricts blood flow and reduces inflammation and swelling. Whenever there’s bleeding in underlying tissue—think sprains, strains or bruising—ice may help! But keep in mind, too much cold can hurt you. Don’t put bags of ice or packs directly on the skin, because that could risk skin, tissue or nerve damage. Instead, wrap it in a soft towel and set it on the area in question. And remember—no longer than 20 minutes a session! Note that if you have bad circulation, then cold therapy probably isn’t for you. People with cardiovascular disease should always consult with their doctor before using cold therapy.

4. Essential Oils

Many people find success using essential oils topically when they’ve got sore or achy joints. Depending on what kind of pain it is, there are a variety of options to choose from. Here are only a few!

• Peppermint Oil: Cooling and anti-inflammatory
• Lavender Oil: Relief from pain and swelling
• Sandalwood: Tension relief

But wait! Here’s a little bit of essential oil best practice. Most oils must be diluted with a carrier oil, like coconut or almond. There are some oils you can apply “neat” (directly on the skin), however, do your research first and test a small part of your skin to ensure you don’t have a reaction. Also, the essential oil industry is incredibly unregulated; be sure to purchase from a well-known brand that sells certified therapeutic grade oils.

5. Collagen

Isn’t that a skincare thing? It’s so much more! Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and works to connect tissue. It’s found predominantly in our bones, muscles, skin and tendons. Increased levels of collagen have been shown to help those with rheumatoid arthritis, reducing joint pain and degeneration.
There are numerous ways to get the collagen your body needs, but the best way is by incorporating it back into your diet. Here are some all-natural foods that either contain collagen or boost its production:

• Bone Broth: A huge source of natural collagen—mainlines into the cells.
• Leafy Greens: Protect against free radicals that break down collagen.
• Red Veggies: Boost collagen levels and protects against sun damage.
• Fish: Helps protect the fatty membrane around skin cells.
• Citrus Fruits: Aid production of collagen.
• Beans: Help retain collagen by boosting the body’s ability to produce hyaluronic acid.
• Garlic: Rebuilds collagen fibers that have been damaged.

Fixing the Root Problem

It's important to note that everything listed here can and should help reduce the severity and frequency of your joint and arthritis pain BUT it won't fix the root cause of the problem. To truly get to the cause, we have to look a little deeper—the spine.
They key to reducing joint pain long term is to adjust the spine where vertebrae may be out of alignment, thus causing the nerves to be pinched. A chiropractor utilizes the chiropractic adjustment to manipulate the spine back into optimal alignment—taking pressure off the nerves and allowing the body to function at its best.

The Cause of Subluxation: The Three Ts

Have you ever heard this seemingly complicated term: subluxation? Subluxations are misalignments in one or more of the vertebrae in your spine. They can cause nerve interference, hindering communication between the brain and the rest of the body—every cell, tissue and organ. This makes it so the body is unable to function at 100 percent.
Treating them is one of the foremost goals of chiropractic care. Here are some lesser known causes of subluxations and why ongoing chiropractic care is crucial to generate self-healing and overall health and wellness.

The Three Ts

Subluxations can occur at any age and the main causes are considered the “Three Ts”: trauma, toxins and thoughts.

Trauma

Trauma is the most well-known of the Three Ts. It can cause subluxation by sheer force. Most people only think of major traumas like car accidents or falls, but your body experiences micro traumas every day—and these may surprise you. Behaviors or habits can cause subluxation—like continuously carrying a purse or bag on the same side of your body, wearing high heels, sleeping on your stomach, crossing your legs or looking down at a computer monitor for long periods of time.

Toxins

Toxins, as a cause of subluxation, may not be as obvious. Think of your body as one big conglomerate of chemicals—when the body is healthy and balanced chemically, it’s in a state of homeostasis. Depending on the toxic chemicals you take in through food, drink and your environment, your body’s homeostasis can be disrupted and become imbalanced. Toxins can get into the body in many ways: through processed and GMO foods, air pollution, chemicals in your cleaning supplies and even the water you’re drinking—and the plastic bottle it came in. These imbalances can cause muscle contractions or change fiber length in the muscles, causing a subluxation.

Thoughts

The third "T," Thoughts (a.k.a. stress), is the number one cause of subluxations. Forbes recently reported that 83 percent of working adults in the United States say they are stressed about their job. Think about it: you can be lying on a sandy beach somewhere but can feel completely stressed if you start thinking about the work and problems you have back at home. When you're stressed, the muscles in your neck and upper back become tight. This tension can cause subluxation, and these emotional stressors can also cause a chemical imbalance.

 

 

 

Treating Subluxations

Chiropractic care is the only way to treat subluxations. And this doesn’t mean a one-time visit to a chiropractor, but ongoing treatment. Your chiropractor will locate, analyze and correct subluxations and work with you on the causes.
Committing to chiropractic care is a lifestyle choice—just like exercising and eating well. It's impossible to eliminate all the micro traumas, toxins and stress in daily life, but choosing chiropractic as a preventative and proactive measure is vital to your path to optimal health.

Chiro 101: Should You Talk to Your Friends and Family About Chiropractic?

Simple answer: absolutely! If you’re someone who’s benefiting from the effects of chiropractic care, the next step after improving and maintaining your own wellness is spreading the word! So many people don’t know how beneficial chiropractic can be for their whole body—and let’s face it, we all know someone who could use the extra help.

The Stats

An estimated 35.5 million people saw a chiropractor in the last year. To put that into perspective, that’s only about 9 percent of all American adults. Not very many, right? But for those who did go to a chiropractor, 77 percent of people saw their care as very affective, saying:

• The quality of care they received was a good value for the money
• The chiropractor took time to educate them about treatment options
• The chiropractor really cares about them

The Results

So, why aren’t more Americans under chiropractic care? Complicated healthcare politics aside, it’s most likely because they just don’t know. The best thing you can do is talk about your own story, because at the end of the day, the power of a percentage pales in comparison to real, lived experience. Here’s how some of our patients are starting the conversation.

“At first, I thought chiropractic wouldn’t work, but now, I think it’s something everyone can benefit from. My neck and shoulder pain has seen lots of improvement—I no longer have to worry about cutting down on activities.” –M.R., Lakeview Patient

“I thought I would have to live with pain, but with chiropractic, not anymore!” –A.A., Orland Hills Patient

“My adjustments help me get through the week. I didn’t realize how much the spine and neck played into my health—but now I know.” –B.P., Libertyville Patient

“I was in constant pain for a very long time. Sometimes it hurt just to get out of bed. After I started chiropractic care, I have better movement in my back and joints—I believe it really helps me. Now I know there’s a “light” at the end of the tunnel.” –L.K., Vernon Hills Patient

“I haven’t felt this good in 20 years.” –D.C., Des Plaines Patient

“The CTs at Chiro One are excellent, helpful and answer any questions I have. The doctor also teaches us something new at least once a week.” –A.O., Schaumburg West Patient

“My hip pain went away… I feel like I don’t need to live with aches and pains just because I’m getting older.” –S.S., Libertyville Patient

“Because of chiropractic, I move more freely and pain-free. I’m enjoying the freedom to do things I thought I could no longer do.” –J.S., Round Lake Beach Patient 

“At first, I wasn’t really interested in chiropractic, but now I love it! I can function pain-free and know that I have a plan that will keep me well for the rest of my life.” –A.L., Wheeling Patient

Offers Ultrasound Therapy

Many of us have heard about how Ultrasound is used as a diagnostic test to explore disease process and injury in the human body. Diagnostic ultrasound, for example, can be used to look at joints, nerve roots, tendons, ligaments and muscles and pinpoint signs of inflammation and scar tissue. In some cases, ultrasound helps the chiropractor identify the proper course of treatment.

But ultrasound has another exciting application in the form of deep heat therapy. Therapeutic ultrasound uses heated sound waves and applies the energy to soft tissues and joints. The fast-moving waves essentially massage soft tissues effortlessly, and in most cases, painlessly.

Therapeutic ultrasound:

• Alleviates muscle spasms
• Reduces inflammation and swelling
• Improves range of motion
• Helps increase blood flow
• Lowers pain and stiffness

Therapeutic ultrasound is typically applied using a small, hand-held wand. Therapeutic ultrasound is often used as one method to treat Lower Back Pain. It is not used to treat acute inflammatory conditions or in patients who have had a laminectomy.

Offers Massage Therapy

Therapeutic Massage involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, and stress.

As in many kinds of therapy, therapeutic massage is one part of your overall chiropractic treatment plan.

Massage therapy:

• Alleviates headache-associated pain
• Helps improve your ability to walk with a normal and balanced gait
• Helps lower your blood pressure
• Improves your breathing as a result of a more relaxed diaphragm
• Improves your range of motion, muscle tone, and flexibility
• Increases your blood flow, which aids in the healing process and allows muscles to work more efficiently;
• Reduces stiffness, pain and muscle tension

Stimulates the body to release helpful chemicals such as endorphins. Massage has been shown to be an effective treatment for a wide variety of health problems, including:

• Stress
• Sleep apnea and insomnia
• Sinusitis
• Range of motion
• Pain (chronic and temporary)
• Myofascial pain
• Jaw disorders
• Injuries such as pulled or strained muscles and ligaments
• Headache
• Digestive disorders, including spastic colon and constipation
• Circulatory problems
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Asthma and bronchitis
• Arthritis
• Allergies

In some cases, devices may be used to perform massage. Traction massage entails lying on your back on a special table with a pillow under your knees. The table has small rollers that glide up and down your spine. Traction massage helps stretch and massage the muscles in your back, and is not a form of spinal adjustment. In fact, traction massage may sometimes be used to make an adjustment go more smoothly.

Offers Lumbar Stabilization

When the muscles supporting the lower spine need to be strengthened, lumbar stabilization may be used in your chiropractic treatment as a form of Physical Therapy. Lumbar stabilization helps you develop strength, flexibility, and endurance and also has been shown effective in alleviating Lower Back Pain.

The key to lumbar stabilization is achieving a "neutral spine" position. The neutral spine position is that which is the least painful but most sound posture for your lower back.

When your spine is in a neutral position:

• The discs and vertebrae are able to absorb shocks and other forces acting on the spine in an optimal way.
• There is less tension on the ligaments and joints of your spine.
• Your posture is centered.

Once your learn how to go to your neutral spine position, lumbar stabilization teaches you how to maintain that position through a technique called "proprioception." Proprioception teaches you how to know where your joints are at any given time.

Lumbar stabilization helps you:

• Better control the movements affecting your spine
• Heal muscle strains, sprains, and damaged ligaments
• Know how to avoid future injuries
• Reduce pain in your lower back