Can Chiropractic Care Help High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is a condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems.  Some of these health problems include stroke, heart disease, heart failure, sexual dysfunction, vision loss, heart attack, and kidney disease.  It is estimated that 1 out of every 3 adults in America have high blood pressure!  With staggering numbers of upwards of 75 million people who suffer from high blood pressure, often times these patients are put on anti-hyptertensive medications such as lisinopril, HCTZ, diltiazem, lorsartan, and benazepril.  Monitoring blood pressure is vital for our health.   It can tell us how our circulatory system is functioning.  Once issues are identified, it is common for physicians to prescribe these medications to attempt to regulate these issues with our blood pressure.  However, research shows that 70% of patients need at least 2, if not more blood pressure medications to regulate their blood pressure.  More medications mean more side effects.  What if there is another way to help our body regulate itself without medications and their side effects?
An 8-week study of blood pressure patients followed 50 people to determine if there was a difference in blood pressure numbers after specific chiropractic care was utilized.  The patients were put into 2 groups.  One group was given "sham adjustments" meaning not distinguishable from real adjustments, and the other were given specific upper cervical adjustments to the atlas bone in the neck.  Results showed that the "real" adjustment group saw a drop in their blood pressure without the use of medication.  By restoring the alignment of the spine by removing subluxations in the neck, the body is allowed to function properly and regulatory functions are free from interference.  By visiting a chiropractor, and specifically an upper cervical chiropractor, lowering blood pressure is just one of the many benefits of chiropractic care!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Bakris, G., Dickholtz, M., Meyer, P., M., Kravitz, G., Avery, E., Miller, M., ...Bell, B. (2007). Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients:A pilot study. Journal of Human Hypertension, 21(5), 347-352. doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1002133

Chiropractic Care for Disc Herniations...Less Risk and More Effective than Surgery!

  One significant cause for back and neck pain can be a herniated disc.  Between your vertebrae are flat, round cushioning pads called discs.  These discs act similarly to a shock absorption system found in your shoes.  Each disc has a gel-like center called the nucleus pulposus that is encapsulated by a tough, fibrous outer layer called the annulus.  A herniated disc (also known as a slipped or ruptured disc) can happen when pressure from the vertebrae above or below force a part or the entire nucleus through a weakened or torn part of the annulus. The herniated nucleus pulposus can press on the nerves near the disc.  Pain, numbness or tingling are often the effects felt from the pressure on the nerves coming out of the vertebrae and spine.  Herniated discs also cause surrounding inflammation in other areas of the neck and spine.  Current research is highlighting the role of this inflammation and the most effective way to remove that inflammation so that the disc is allowed to heal.  Invasive surgical procedures not only run a large risk they often have low success rates to remove pain from the area and lead to more surgeries for the same issue.
Chiropractic care can stretch the spine and isolate the herniated area with non-invasive adjustments of the neck and spine.  By moving vertebrae, the herniated disc is then moved away from the nerve, reducing pressure off of the nerve root which relieves pain.  Also, chiropractic adjustments allow the nervous system to release an anti-inflammatory substance, which removes inflammation and further relieves pain.
Even surgeons are recommending less invasive, gentle approaches for herniated disc treatment.  It is being discovered that chiropractic care is bringing better long-term results for discs with little to no complications or side-effects.  Improving structure of the spine reduces inflammation which allows the body to heal.  While options for drugs and surgery will always be there, they should be utilized only in emergency situations or as a last resort.  We see incredible results in patients with herniated discs every single day in our office!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Cunha, C., Silva, A., J., Pereira, P., Vaz, R., Goncalves, R. M., & Barosa, M.A. (2018). The inflammatory response in the regression of lumbar disc herniation.  Arthritis Research and Therapy, 1-9.
 

Relief from Torticollis (Neck Pain) in All Ages

Anatomy of the Sternocleidomastoid and Trapezius involved in Torticollis

Have you ever woken up and not been able to turn your neck to one side?  Having significant pain in one side of the neck can be caused by a condition caused torticollis.  Torticollis results from a fixed posture or position of the head and neck.  Tilting, rotation and flexion of the head and neck is impaired.  Spasms of the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius and other neck muscles are typically involved and is more prominent on one side than the others.  This can cause someone to tip their head to side or to have great pain when turning the head to one side or the other.  We can also see torticollis in infants particularly right after birth.  Often times infants will have difficulty breastfeeding (especially on one side over the other), irritability, sleeping difficulties, and can lead to cranial distortion.  Having interventions such as forceps or vacuum during delivery increases an infants likelihood of developing torticollis and flat head as they grow and develop.
Chiropractic care utilizes cervical and spinal adjustments by addressing subluxations in the patients' spine, which are commonly associated with the condition. A subluxation is a partial dislocation of one of the vertebrae in the spine.  The dislocation of the vertebrae can interfere with nerve signaling throughout the body, which can interfere with healthy development — even outside the musculoskeletal system. 
By supporting more efficient, effective communication between the nervous system and the rest of the body, chiropractic care can prevent problems that might otherwise arise from irritation to the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Relief from torticollis is often found in just a few visits.  In infant and pediatric patients, torticollis can even be relieved in just one visit!  Next time you wake up with a stiff neck, look to a chiropractic professional to help relieve your pain quickly with gentle, specific chiropractic care!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV