Hypertension—or High Blood Pressure—is a serious health condition that affects nearly half of all adults in the United states.  Known as the “silent killer,” hypertension prevalence increases with age and is more prevalent among non-Hispanic Black adults.  Your blood pressure is extremely important, because it helps blood flow properly from the heart to the body’s other organs and tissues.  If it is too high, it increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, heart attacks, and kidney disease.  Chronic high blood pressure can also damage blood vessels.  Low blood pressure reduces the supply of oxygen to vital organs, which can lead to shock.

Hypertension is a preventable health issue, and those who are diagnosed with it have the ability to reverse it.  Unfortunately, many choose to simply control it with drugs, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors.  There are over 200 different blood pressure medications, all of which have bothersome—or even dangerous—side effects.

At Rising Chiropractic, we have helped many control their blood pressure naturally, without the use of drugs.  Torque Release Technique (TRT)—our primary adjusting technique—is a specific approach that focuses on adjusting the spine and nervous system. The theory behind how TRT chiropractic may help with hypertension (high blood pressure) is rooted in the relationship between the spine, nervous system, and overall body function.

Here’s how TRT chiropractic might help with hypertension:

1. Nervous System Regulation:

TRT focuses on addressing subluxations, which are interruptions in nervous system activity that cause spinal misalignments and other dysfunction in the body. Subluxation interferes with the communication between the brain and body via the nervous system. By correcting these subluxations, chiropractors aim to restore normal function, potentially reducing the stress response in the body, which can influence blood pressure.  This is particularly important in the upper cervical (neck) region, where the brainstem is located, as the brainstem is the primary control center for blood pressure.

2. Stress Reduction:

The body’s stress response (fight or flight) is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Subluxation increases sympathetic nervous system activity, which disrupts overall organ function, which elevates blood pressure. TRT adjustments help balance the autonomic nervous system, promoting parasympathetic activity, which is associated with relaxation and lower blood pressure.

3. Improved Circulation:

Misalignments in the spine, particularly in the upper cervical region (neck), could potentially affect blood flow. By reducing subluxation and improving spinal alignment, TRT chiropractic may help optimize circulation, potentially reducing blood pressure.

4. Holistic Impact on Lifestyle:

Chiropractors often take a comprehensive approach, encouraging lifestyle changes that can improve blood pressure, such as diet, exercise, and stress management techniques. TRT complements these changes by helping reduce the physical effects of stress on the body.

Supporting Evidence:

More scientific studies that show how regular chiropractic care helps with hypertension and overall health are always needed.  One notable study conducted in 2007 found that specific chiropractic adjustments to the upper cervical spine led to a significant reduction in blood pressure in patients with hypertension, comparable to the effects of blood pressure medications.  At Rising Chiropractic, we have witnessed several cases of patients reducing or eliminating blood pressure medications after correcting subluxations and improving spinal alignment.  These same patients continue on in wellness care, choosing to maintain their health naturally and conservatively.

Rising Chiropractic is dedicated to helping our community rise above their limitations to trust their innate power to live in health.  If you or someone you love has hypertension, contact us to see how we can help!