How Chiropractic Care Helps Lower Blood Pressure

Chiropractic care for high blood pressure has been shown to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings in patients with hypertension.

Chiropractic Care for Hypertension

Chiropractic care is an effective treatment for high blood pressure levels because it helps to reduce stress and tension in the body. It also works to improve circulation, which can help lower your blood pressure. Chiropractic adjustments can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure. 

Additionally, chiropractic care can address underlying issues that may be causing or contributing to high blood pressure issues, such as poor posture, misalignment of the spine, and muscle tension. By addressing these issues, regular chiropractic care can help reduce your risk of developing hypertension in the future.

Furthermore, regular adjustments can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle that supports optimal cardiovascular health. Ultimately, chiropractic care can help you better manage your high blood pressure and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

The Effects of High Blood Pressure on the Body

High blood pressure can have a profound impact on the body. It increases the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. People with high blood pressure may also suffer from headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds. 

The long-term effects of high blood pressure can be very serious, as it gradually damages the walls of arteries, leading to a narrowing of their passage and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. It can also damage the heart's valves, leading to arrhythmias or irregular heartbeat. In addition to cardiovascular health issues, high blood pressure can also cause vision problems. 

Left unmanaged, it can lead to retinopathy, a condition that damages the blood vessels in the eyes. High blood pressure affects the entire circulatory system, leading to aneurysms or pockets of weakened arteries. In extreme cases, these may rupture and cause serious internal bleeding.

How Chiropractic Care Helps Lower Blood Pressure

Chiropractic medicine helps to manage high blood pressure by helping to reduce stress levels and improve overall health. Stress significantly contributes to elevated blood pressure, and chiropractic adjustments can help lower cortisol levels (the hormone responsible for producing stress) in the body.

Common Chiropractic Treatments for Hypertension

Chiropractors may use a variety of treatments to help patients with high blood pressure. Some of the most common treatments include: 

• Spinal manipulation
• Lifestyle modification 
• Dietary counseling
• Exercise and stretching programs
• Nutrition and supplementation advice
• Massage therapy
• Acupuncture

Spinal manipulation reduces nerve irritation in the spine by applying pressure to the vertebrae. This helps to improve joint mobility, reduce muscle tension, and improve nerve function.

Lifestyle modification can help to reduce stress levels and encourage a healthier lifestyle overall. Dietary counseling assesses current nutritional habits and suggests ways to modify them to support overall health. Exercise and stretching programs are recommended to reduce stress and encourage blood flow.

Nutrition and supplementation advice is offered to improve overall health by providing specific nutrients and vitamins that may be missing from the patient's diet. Massage therapy helps reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, release endorphins (the body's natural painkillers), and promote relaxation. Finally, acupuncture can be used to reduce inflammation and improve circulation. 

These treatments may help reduce high blood pressure and associated symptoms when combined with appropriate lifestyle modifications. It is important to remember that chiropractic care is not a substitute for medical treatment, but it can serve as a complement to traditional methods of healthcare.

Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractic for High Blood Pressure

Chiropractic care offers a range of benefits when it comes to managing an individual’s high blood pressure. This includes improving spinal misalignment, relieving stress and tension, and offering lifestyle advice, including diet and exercise changes.

Chiropractic care is natural and can help you avoid the side effects and various complications associated with blood pressure medication. Working with a chiropractor also enables you to get to the root of the problem. Instead of masking your symptoms, you’ll deal with the actual cause of your elevated blood pressure.

Spinal manipulation can improve the spine's structural integrity, reducing nerve interference caused by misalignments. This can help to reduce high blood pressure by improving the flow of communication between your brain and body.

Chiropractors are also trained in stress management techniques that can help individuals cope with the physical and emotional stress often associated with high blood pressure. Techniques such as relaxation, guided imagery, and deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress levels, which can help lower blood pressure.

Chiropractors can also offer advice and guidance on lifestyle changes that can help reduce high blood pressure. This includes suggesting dietary changes, increasing physical activity and exercise, avoiding smoking and alcohol, reducing caffeine intake, improving sleep quality, and managing stress levels.

Dr. Eric Neumann D.C.

Dr. Eric Neumann grew up in Alberta, Canada where he majored in Chemistry at the University of Calgary. During his time at University, he obtained licensure as a Massage Therapist. It was clear that hands-on healing would be his calling. After suffering multiple sport-related injuries he became interested in Chiropractic. Dr. Neumann graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 2009. He has since specialized in the treatment and management of acute spinal injuries.