Chiropractic & Heart Health Studies

Can your heart benefit from regular chiropractic adjustments?

Studies analyzed in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research journal found that chiropractic may help patients experiencing irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias. Featured in the research are two female patients who improved while experiencing chiropractic care.

The two patients in this case series both suffered from Premature Ventricular Contractions. Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra heartbeats that begin in one of your heart’s two lower pumping chambers (ventricles). These extra beats disrupt your regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing you to feel a fluttering or a skipped beat in your chest. These irregular heartbeats can be caused by the heart’s electrical system not functioning properly, contributed to by stress, alcohol or caffeine use, and other factors.

One patient had experienced symptoms for two years, having visited several doctors and going through several rounds of testing with no results. The second patient was an older woman who had PVC symptoms following a stroke, previously having no history of heart disease.

“Research is revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the brain” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study. McCoy added “Heart arrhythmias are a result of an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, especially forcing an increase in sympathetic activity, and decreasing vagal activity.”

“That chiropractic helped these patients makes perfect sense when you think about it” stated Dr. McCoy. “If there is interference with the neurological communication between the spine and the brain all sorts of malfunctions can occur.” According to McCoy, “The nervous system needs the constant stimulation of movement in order to develop and function properly. Abnormal position or movement of the spinal vertebra can develop, and this can lead to nerve interference. It is this interference, called vertebral subluxation, that chiropractors correct.”

The chiropractor examined both patients, and after taking x-rays found structural abnormalities in their necks and lower backs. Shifts in the back’s structure can cause obstruction of nerves called Vertebral Subluxation, the correction of which is the purpose of the chiropractor’s adjustments. After being adjusted by the chiropractor, both patients experienced improvements in the heart arrhythmia and other symptoms. The authors of this study have called for more research investigating the clinical effect of chiropractic for similar populations of patients.

Heart arrhythmia (and other heart diseases and conditions) are major issues in our nation’s overall health. Corrective care of the spine through chiropractic may help in lowering blood pressure and taking unnecessary stress off the cardiovascular system in general.

Take the step to improve the health of you and your family with regular chiropractic visits!