Approximately one in three Americans has high blood pressure, which can cause damage to one’s heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and other body parts. Known as hypertension, this extreme high blood pressure is to blame for a number of potential ailments-and even death. There are ways, however, that chiropractic helps hypertension-in an effort to reduce the effects of high blood pressure.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension is a condition in which the high pressure of blood against arterial walls leads to health problems. For example, hypertension can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and beyond. When a person has hypertension, his or her heart is essentially forced to work harder to pump blood out to the body. A person can have hypertension for years without any symptoms at all, at which time, however, damage is still being done to the blood vessels and heart.
How chiropractic helps hypertension
The University of Chicago Hypertension Center conducted a study that showed that patients who received chiropractic adjustments revealed lowered blood pressure equal to two blood pressure medications. Eight weeks after having adjustments made to the Atlas vertebra (located at the base of the skull), 25 patients with early-stage high blood pressure had significantly lower blood pressure than 25 similar patients who were given placebo adjustments.
Other lifestyle changes
In addition to chiropractic adjustments, there are other non-medicinal ways to reduce high blood pressure. Lifestyle changes play a significant role in blood pressure. Losing weight, exercising regularly, eating well, reducing excess sodium, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, reducing caffeine intake and reducing stress all can contribute to health blood pressure levels.
Summary
Studies have suggested that chiropractic helps hypertension. If you have high blood pressure and want to talk to one of our doctors, call Advantage Chiropractic Clinic in Auburn today at 334-821-2552!