Are you curious about whether chiropractic can help with high blood pressure and if it can, how that would work?
High blood pressure is one component of heart disease and overall cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the western world. In the US about 75 million Americans currently suffer from high blood pressure. That’s a significant percentage of the population and even more striking given that it is largely confined to adults.
According to the CDC in 2021 hypertension was the primary or contributing cause of more than 691,000 deaths in the United States.
The Role of the Nervous System
The Sympathetic “fight or flight” Nervous System is felt to be a primary precursor to the development of high blood pressure. Our modern life creates an imbalance between the Sympathetic System and its counterpart, the Vagus Nerve.
Some of the effects of Sympathetic System activation are:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Impaired sleep
- Increased inflammation
- Increased pain and tension
It is easy to see how chronic activation of the Sympathetic System can contribute if not cause hypertension. Chiropractic Care has been found to result in a lowering of blood pressure equal to taking two medications at once. A Grass Valley / Nevada City chiropractor who focuses on correction and balance can help.
#1 Adjusting the Atlas Bone Helps Reduce Hypertension
The research noted above found the top bone in the neck, known as the Atlas, to be linked to high blood pressure. The Atlas sits at the junction of the skull and spine; this is the location of the brainstem. The brainstem is the control center for many body functions and distortion here can cause a simultaneous lowering of Vagus Nerve activity and increased Sympathetic System activity. If you are concerned about high blood pressure, see a Grass Valley chiropractor so he can check for a misalignment of the Atlas bone.
#2 Nervous System Balance
I mentioned how adjusting the Atlas has been shown to have a profound effect on blood pressure. While the atlas has a significant impact on hypertension there are other areas that can contribute to lowering of blood pressure.
With hypertension or any issue for that matter, the goal is to remove tension and interference from the nervous system and bring the body back to a state of balance. The rest of the cervical spine is critical for much the same reasons as the atlas.
Any loss of mobility or loss of the cervical curve can put tension that impacts the brainstem and the balance of the Vagus Nerve and the Sympathetic System. The mid and low back and pelvis are also important as they all have a relationship with the Autonomic System (Vagus N and Sympathetic).
#3 Vagus Nerve Activation
Because “stress” is so pervasive in our culture the inhibition of the Vagus Nerve coupled with an overactive Sympathetic “fight or flight” System is almost universal. It’s more a matter of when it develops and how imbalanced it gets.
The longer the Vagus Nerve is inhibited the “help” it needs to get back to normal function. This is where simple practices that activate the Vagus Nerve come into play. In my practice, while I teach a variety of Vagus Nerve practices, the most universal is conscious breathwork.
Chiropractic Supports Health
Not only can Chiropractic care improve all signs of high blood pressure, it supports overall health. Chiropractic adjustments correct the cause of nerve interference between the brain and spinal cord, allowing better communication between brain and body. This helps release tension from the body, supporting better sleep, better digestion, better hormonal balance, and much more.
If you are suffering from hypertension and want to know more about how chiropractic can help with blood pressure, contact Grass Valley Chiropractor Dr. Bill Berkowitz of Life Chiropractic.
Bill Berkowitz, DC
Bringing more than 3 decades of practice experience, Dr. Bill Berkowitz focuses on balancing and corrective care, applying his expertise to provide patients with predictable, repeatable and measurable results.
Dr. Bill consistently strives to enhance the well-being of his patients by addressing the root imbalances of their problems and promoting optimal balance, alignment, and function of the spine and nervous system. His commitment to delivering corrective chiropractic care has earned him a reputation for excellence among both colleagues and patients alike.
Bill’s wealth of knowledge and experience has allowed him to develop a nuanced understanding of the human body and its intricate connections. With each adjustment, he supports the body in returning to a state of balance that goes beyond mere symptom relief, focusing instead on long-term correction for his patients’ well-being.
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