Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is often treated as a standalone condition — but the nervous system plays a central role in regulating cardiovascular function, and structural misalignment in the spine can directly interfere with that regulation.
​
Research has shown a meaningful connection between spinal alignment, particularly in the upper cervical region, and the body's ability to maintain healthy blood pressure levels. When structural stress disrupts nervous system communication, the cardiovascular system can't self-regulate the way it's designed to.
​
At McLaughlin Family Chiropractic, we take a corrective approach — evaluating spinal alignment and nervous system function to address the structural interference that may be contributing to elevated blood pressure, rather than simply managing the numbers with medication alone.
​
Deciphering Blood Pressure and Hypertension
​
Every heartbeat propels blood through the body's arteries, generating a force against the arterial walls known as blood pressure. A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers: systolic, the top number representing arterial pressure when the heart contracts, and diastolic, the bottom number indicating arterial pressure between heartbeats.
​
Normal blood pressure levels are 120/80 and lower, while prehypertension ranges from 120-139/80-89. Hypertension stage 1 is defined as 140-159/90-99, hypertension stage 2 as 160/100 or higher, and hypertension crisis (requiring emergency care) as 180/110 or higher.
​
The Perils of Hypertension
​
Hypertension poses greater risks and has a more fatal impact than many individuals realize. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that high blood pressure was either the primary or contributing cause of over 360,000 American deaths in 2013, equating to nearly 1,000 deaths daily.
​
Furthermore, the CDC underscores that high blood pressure significantly heightens the risk of other life-threatening conditions:
​
-
First heart attack: 70 percent of adults who experience their initial heart attack have high blood pressure.
-
First stroke: 80 percent of adults who suffer 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 ranks as the second leading cause of kidney failure.
​
Treatment Options for High Blood Pressure
​
Thankfully, high blood pressure is straightforward to diagnose, and various treatment approaches are available. Typically, doctors prescribe medication to manage hypertension, but blood pressure can often be controlled using natural, non-pharmaceutical methods. Lifestyle changes play a pivotal role in blood pressure management. Strategies such as weight loss, regular exercise, a balanced diet, reduced sodium intake, limited alcohol consumption, smoking cessation, caffeine reduction, and stress management all contribute positively to maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
​
Chiropractic Adjustments and Blood Pressure Reduction
​
In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension in March 2007, researchers observed a significant reduction in blood pressure following a chiropractic adjustment to the Atlas vertebra, situated at the base of the skull. This study involved 50 individuals with high blood pressure, and the improvements in blood pressure levels persisted through the eighth week following the adjustment. It's worth noting that these benefits could extend even further, as the study only evaluated patients immediately after the adjustment and at an eight-week follow-up visit.
​
Curious About Chiropractic Care for High Blood Pressure?
​
Reach out to our team today to schedule a private consultation.
​
Our clinic is committed to ensuring that everyone in our community experiences the transformative impact of comprehensive chiropractic care. If you're intrigued by chiropractic care or eager to explore our range of services, call us today!
