High blood pressure leads to heart attacks and strokes, so it's important to manage it early. Intriguingly, some chiropractors have observed patients' blood pressure drop after receiving adjustments. This has not been consistently replicated in large or formal studies, so scientists don't recommend chiropractic as a replacement for medication or lifestyle changes. However, with your doctor's approval, chiropractic may be a safe complement to your existing treatments.
Let's take a look at some preliminary research and noteworthy cases.
Pilot Research
Clinical Study: Upper Neck Adjustments for Blood Pressure
Knutson GA, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2001
In this clinical study, researchers measured participants' blood pressure before and after treatment. The chiropractic group received upper neck adjustments, while the control group had a quiet rest period.
As a group, chiropractic showed a reduction in systolic blood pressure. More research is needed, as this was a small study that lacked blindness and randomization.
Pilot Clinical Trial: Comparing Chiropractic, Massage, and Quiet Rest
Plaugher G, Meeker W, et al, Chiropractic Centers Foundation Conference Proceedings, , 1995
This pilot clinical trial studied 30 adults with high blood pressure. (1 participant was found ineligible and 6 dropped out, so 23 completed the trial.) Participants were divided into a chiropractic group, a massage group, and a control group.
Over eight weeks, the chiropractic group received Gonstead full-spine treatment, which aims to identify the precise area where the spine is misaligned. They had three chiropractic visits per week in month one, and two visits per week in month two.
The massage group received light soft tissue massage, while the control group had quiet rest in lieu of treatment. Both the chiropractic and control group experienced a drop in blood pressure.
In many pilot studies, the goal is not to obtain conclusive results, but to determine whether it's feasible to run the study with larger groups. These authors concluded that with larger sample size and procedural changes, clinical trials on chiropractic and blood pressure are workable.
Conference Study: Sacro Occipital Technique for Blood Pressure
Unger J, Sweat S, Flanagan S, Chudowski S. Proceedings of the International Conference on Spinal Manipulation, 1993
In this preliminary study, researchers measured patients' blood pressure before and after they received a single chiropractic treatment. (Researchers used the Sacro Occipital Technique, which generally entails placing blocks under the pelvis. This technique aims to use the patient's weight to gently realign the spine and pelvis.)
As a group, chiropractic experienced a reduction in short-term systolic blood pressure. Because it was a one-time session, these results are not conclusive. However, the reduction in blood pressure warrants further study.
Individual Case Reports
Every patient is different: Not everyone experiences the same results from the same treatment. However, it's worth sharing success stories from individual blood pressure patients.
Case Series: Sacro Occipital Cranial Technique for Blood Pressure
Connelly DM, Rasmussen SA. Chiropractic Technique, 1998
In this case series, three patients with high blood pressure were treated with the Sacro Occipital Cranial Technique (SOCT). This usually entails placing wedged blocks under the pelvis and applying manual pressure to the skull and reflex points.
Blood pressure lowered for all three patients:
- A 73-year-old woman had a blood pressure of 170/100 mmHG. Immediately after treatment, it dropped to 120/78. Over the next few months, it measured at 140/72.
- A 41-year-old woman had a blood pressure of 170/95 mmHG. After treatments, it dropped to 147/90.
- A 74-year-old male was on medication for a blood pressure of 140/100 mmHG. After "a series of adjustments," the MDs told him to "reduce and eliminate medications." On his last visit, his blood pressure measured 130/80.
Survey: Chiropractic and Nonmusculoskeletal Symptoms
Leboeuf-Yde C, Axen I, Ahlefeldt G, et al. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 1999
Chiropractors asked patients to self-report which of their nonmusculoskeletal symptoms improved after receiving chiropractic treatment. Of the 1,504 questionnaires, two reported lowered blood pressure.
Case Study: Lowering Medication
Plaugher G, Bachman TR, 1990s.
This case study followed a 38-year-old male who had high blood pressure for 14 years. He was on medication (Minipress and Corgard) and experiencing side effects such as bloating sensations, depression, fatigue, and impotency.
Chiropractic assessment determined that he had spinal misalignments at several vertebrae. After three visits, his MD stopped prescribing Minipress and reduced his Corgard dose. After 18 months, his blood pressure remained at normal levels.
Blood Pressure Treatment with Elevate Chiropractic
Medication is often necessary for managing high blood pressure. However, with a doctor's input, some patients can maintain healthy blood pressure through a combination of diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. Chiropractic care is another drug-free tool at your disposal, empowering your body to regulate itself. Just remember to keep your doctor in the loop on this important journey, especially if you experience side effects like dizziness.
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