More than half of adults in the United States suffer from hypertension, according National Lung and Blood Institute. If you want to reduce your blood pressure in addition to your medication, chiropractic care for high blood pressure is the best option to consider.
The latest research says that chiropractic adjustments for blood pressure control may be able to lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This is significant because these numbers can have an impact on your quality of life if they go outside of the safe zone, placing you at risk for a heart attack, stroke, and other life-altering or even fatal illnesses.
Chiropractic may reduce the quantity of medicine you need to maintain your blood pressure. Of course, diet, exercise, and stress management can all help with blood pressure issues, but when combined with specific chiropractic care, you may increase your chances of reaching healthier numbers.
In this blog, you will learn how chiropractic care for high blood pressure may serve as a non-pharmaceutical treatment.
The Science Behind Nervous System Regulation and Blood Pressure
Whenever you hear the word blood pressure, you must think that it is controlled by your heart. However, the reality is that your autonomic nervous system plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. This system controls functions such as heart rate, blood vessel constriction, and the stress response. When your ANS works properly, your blood pressure stays maintained, and vice versa.
One of the key regions of the anatomy relevant to this process is the top part of the cervical region, known as the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae. These vertebrae are located at the top of the bone structure that comprises the neck, just below the brainstem, the center that transmits signals from the brain to the autonomic nerves.
When there is any misalignment in your upper cervical spine, the communication between the brain and body is disrupted. This disruption can affect nervous system regulation and blood pressure, altering the stimuli that control your heart rate and other functions. If the disruption persists, your blood pressure will stay elevated.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic for Hypertension
Upper cervical chiropractic for hypertension targets the most specific region of the spine, the atlas and axis vertebrae at the top of the neck. It is where spinal alignment has the most significant potential influence on nervous system function. Unlike general chiropractic care that may involve multiple spinal regions, this approach is targeted and neurologically focused.
It is very important to know that upper cervical care is not about forceful or repeated spinal cracking. Chiropractic adjustments are very precise, gently administered, and always anatomically specific, many times with the help of detailed imaging and other assessments. The pressure used in most techniques is minimal. Hence, the entire process remains comfortable and controlled.
A study found that a particular chiropractic adjustment can dramatically reduce high blood pressure. The primary goal of upper cervical chiropractic is to adjust the atlas and axis vertebrae to their normal position.
How Chiropractic Adjustments Lower Blood Pressure
As the body aligns properly in the upper cervical region, it may shift out of a constant “fight-or-flight” state and into a more natural response related to relaxation. Such a response depends upon the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. This includes slowing the heart rate, reducing tension in the vasculature, and quieter stress signals.
By adjusting the upper cervical spine, chiropractic can help lower blood pressure and support the body’s regulation of cardiovascular function.
The link between chiropractic care and blood pressure has also gained interest in clinical research. There have been studies on upper cervical chiropractic adjustments that have shown significant BP reductions comparable to those of BP medications taken simultaneously.
Even if chiropractic care cannot be considered an alternative treatment, this fact supports the use of chiropractic care for high blood pressure as a complementary therapy.
Thus, the ultimate goal of chiropractic adjustments for blood pressure control is not short-term numerical values but nervous system normalization.
A True Non-Pharmaceutical Blood Pressure Treatment
Chiropractic adjustments are the best non-pharmaceutical blood pressure treatment. Below are some benefits of this treatment.
- No risk: Chiropractic therapy is a natural way to reduce the negative effects of certain blood pressure medications. A chiropractor helps you identify the root cause of your problem and manage your situation from baseline, so no risk is involved.
- Improve spine integrity: Spinal manipulation strengthens your spine and aligns it to its normal position. This can help lower high blood pressure by increasing communication between the brain and the body.
- Reduce stress and promote relaxation: Chiropractors help with stress management by implementing various stress management techniques, which in turn lower your blood pressure. Relaxation, guided visualization, and deep-breathing techniques can all help reduce stress and lower blood pressure.
- Improve lifestyle: Chiropractors also advise on lifestyle adjustments to manage high blood pressure. These may include dietary modifications, increasing physical activity and exercise, quitting smoking and drinking, improving sleep quality, and managing stress, contributing to a holistic approach to hypertension.
Take Control of Your Health with Chiropractic Care
Are you struggling with a chronic high blood pressure problem and want to get rid of it? Chiropractic care for high blood pressure could be an effective alternative to traditional medicine. By aligning your upper cervical vertebrae, this approach treats the root cause of your high blood pressure.
So, if you want to get chiropractic to lower blood pressure, schedule a consultation today with Thrive Health System and say goodbye to your chronic hypertension to start your health journey today.
