Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care and High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects nearly 1 out of every 3 adults in the United States.  Hypertension can be an indicator of the likelihood of developing long-term chronic health issues.  In particular, hypertension leads to cardiovascular issues.  These issues can be quite severe or even deadly such as a heart attack.  Hypertension is something to be taken seriously once it is identified.  While there are numerous factors that may lead a person to a high blood pressure diagnosis, such as obesity, asthma, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress, increased alcohol consumption, and increased salt in the diet, it can also be a side effect of other medications such as acetaminophen and anti-depressants.  However, there is an often overlooked cause of high blood pressure: the alignment of the atlas bone in your cervical spine.  As highlighted in red in the photo above, the atlas surrounds and protects our brainstem as well as controls blood flow to and from the brain.  Every nerve in your body leaves the brainstem and travels down your spinal cord to then splinter off to the various organs it sends messages to.
An upper cervical-specific chiropractor can administer gentle, effective adjustments to the atlas and upper cervical spine to remove interference to the brain stem.  In our office, the NUCCA technique is utilized as a non-thrusting chiropractic adjustment of the upper cervical spine, making it very gentle and non-invasive.  There is no twisting or cracking sound with this type of adjustment.  It is a very specific, x-ray driven adjustment technique that chiropractors have to be specially trained in.  The NUCCA technique has been proven to lower blood pressure by an average drop of 14 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure (the top number) and 8 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number)in recent studies.  In particular, an 80-year old patient was able to lower his blood pressure from an average reading of 167/90 to an astonishing 117/74 while under chiropractic care according to a 2020 case study.  This particular patient was not on hypertensive medications previously and had an unexplained spike in his blood pressure readings over a 6 week period.  While you should always consult your physician before going off of anti-hypertensive medications, why not try this natural method and see if your blood pressure is lower at your next physical? You may find out that you many not need that hypertension medication anymore, or you may be able to switch to a lower dose (which is always good for reducing side effects).

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


J, S. (2020). Hypertensive 80-year-old male treated with cranial therapy: A case report. Sacro Occipital Technique Research Conference:Nassau, Bahamas. 2019:57-63. A. Vertebral Subluxation Res, 9.