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High Blood Pressure & Upper Cervical Chiropractic

Dr. Roger Hinson

What is Hypertension?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition in which excessive pressure is exerted on the walls of arteries throughout the body. Hypertension is known as the Silent Killer because of its ability to exist for years undetected while causing serious or even fatal organ damage. It is also a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke, angina, cardiac arrhythmias, atherosclerosis and kidney disease. Chronic hypertension causes direct and indirect pathological changes to the heart and vascular structures.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and is expressed as a higher systolic (heart contracting) over a lower diastolic (heart relaxing) number. Current guidelines from the American Heart Association are:

· Normal Below 120/80 mm

· Prehypertension Below 139/89 mm

· Hypertension Above 139/89 mm

A number of risk factors such as ageing, obesity, lack of exercise and smoking have been associated with hypertension. Disease of the kidneys, hormone problems and a few other disorders can cause high blood pressure. Up to 95% of hypertension cases are classified as “essential” or ”primary” meaning it is not secondary to a specific identifiable disease. Essential hypertension remains an idiopathic (of unknown origin) disorder.

A recent University of South Carolina study found significantly higher rates of hypertension in Americans in the south. This is attributed to higher sodium consumption and other dietary factors. Lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise have been demonstrated to effectively lower blood pressure. These changes may cause “side benefits” (in contrast to side effects associated with antihypertensive drugs) such as weight loss, lower cholesterol, better quality of sleep and even enhanced immunity to infectious disease. Other important considerations would include stress reduction and a plan to stop smoking.

Diet for Hypertension

The effects of diet on hypertension have received a great deal of attention in recent years. The DASH Eating Plan (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) effectively reduces blood pressure in as little as two weeks. The plan is rich in fruits, vegetables, low fat or nonfat dairy, and emphasizes whole grains, lean meats, fish, poultry, nuts and beans. It lowers cholesterol and can be adapted to lifestyle and food preferences for most people. The DASH Eating Plan along with recipes and practical advice about implementing dietary change can be downloaded at:

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/.

Hypertension sufferers with a sweet tooth will be delighted by the findings of a recent study in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism, where Harvard University researchers reported evidence that flavonoids found in dark chocolate lowers risk of cardiovascular disease including hypertension. The authors suggest that because dark chocolate has substantially higher levels of flavonoids than milk chocolate and because milk inhibits absorption of flavonoids, those seeking therapeutic benefit from chocolate should eat dark rather than milk chocolate. Remember, moderation in all things of course.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic

For decades Chiropractors have reported a correlation between upper cervical misalignment and hypertension. In my experience, blood pressure often drops significantly following an upper cervical adjustment. The effect can be quite dramatic in some cases, with systolic pressure reduction of 30 mm or greater. Some patients describe sensations of relaxation or lightheadedness immediately after an adjustment. Though the complete effect may be transient initially, many patients with hypertension see significant reductions in blood pressure once they begin holding adjustments.

How can an upper cervical adjustment affect blood pressure? The structures responsible for blood pressure regulation are located in the brainstem and spinal cord near the top two bones in the neck. Normal nerve transmissions between these structures and lower spinal levels in the mid-back are essential to cardiovascular control. A misalignment of the top two bones results in a loss of normal brain stem control of cardiovascular mechanisms relayed through the spinal cord.

Since no substantial research has validated this observation, it should not be assumed that any specific case would respond. I suggest that patients with hypertension monitor blood pressure closely after starting upper cervical chiropractic care. This can easily be achieved with a digital home blood pressure unit and a daily blood pressure diary. Readings should be recorded at least three times daily (early morning, noon and late evening) at the same time every day. If blood pressure stays well below prehypertensive levels (120/80), and particularly if low-normal readings are obtained, patients may discuss reduction of antihypertensive medication with their medical doctor.

Dr. Roger Hinson practices upper-cervical chiropractic in College Park, GA. His clinical experience includes work at an Olympic training facility in Korea, an orthopedics hospital in China and research faculty and technique instructor at Life University. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in scientific journals.

For further information on this topic, you may contact Dr. Hinson at 404.767.6453, or email him at rhinson@wtez.net.

The Highest Level is the monthly e-mail newsletter of the Humber Parkerson Clinic and is designed to empower our patients and the general public to make informed decisions on issues of nutrition, lifestyle, and spinal care. To receive The Highest Level each month, e-mail your request to HighestLevel@humberparkerson.com.

© Humber Parkerson Clinic 2006

March 2006 issue of The Highest Level

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