Chiropractic Care may lower blood pressure

A study on middle-aged African Americans from from researchers at Sherman College of Chiropractic found evidence that regular chiropractic care reduced their blood pressure. Prior to these findings, research observed decreased blood pressure in patients after chiropractic adjustments on patients with anxiety or cervical spine dysfunction.

Patients in the study received one year of chiropractic care for various spinal conditions, and their blood pressure was measured 3 times throughout the course of the study.

Patients with a BMI lower than 50, had diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats – when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood) significantly decreased over the course of treatment.

Patients with a BMI higher than 50 (considered severely obese), did not experience the same drops in blood pressure. This lead researchers to suggest that obese patients may be “more resistant” to blood pressure reductions when it came to chiropractic care.

The takeaway from the study is that chiropractic care can be more efficient in lowering blood pressure if those receiving treatment make an effort to maintain healthy weight levels. Maximize the effect adjustments have on your body by adopting an active lifestyle and cutting back on unhealthy foods.