Hypertension/High Blood Pressure

Many cases of non-musculoskeletal symptoms improving after chiropractic care are put down as anecdotal evidence, which is often a nice way of saying "I don't beleive it really happened." At the Royal New Zealand Commission of Inquiry on Chiropractic the case of Mrs M. was investigated by judicial inquiry, tested by medical cross-examination, and independent findings were made and reported.

Mrs M. consulted her chiropractor for headache after a whiplash injury, a course of chiropractic manipulation was successful.

She had also been taking daily medication for moderate hypertension and a related water retention problem.

To her and her family physician’s surprise her blood pressure became normal and her anti-hypertensive medication was stopped, and her oedema was greatly reduced requiring diuretic tablets once or twice a week rather than daily as previously.

The Commission concluded that “the probabilities are that the chiropractic treatment did have the effect both of relieving her hypertension and reducing her dependency on medication.”

Chiropractic in New Zealand (1979), Report of the Commision of Inquiry, P.D. Hasselberg, Government Printer, Wellington, pp167-168.

Bakris, Dickholtz Trial

25 patients attending a specialised hypertension clinic at the University of Chigao received chiropractic care.

In the 8 week trial 21 of the 25 patients required only one very specific adjustment to the atlas vertebra.

Blood pressure decreased 17mmHg in the treatment group compared to 3mmHg in the placebo group. Apparently this is the equivalent of taking two blood pressure lowering medications and the researchers were astounded by the results.

Because this study was limited by it's small size and the fact that only one chiropractor delivered the adjustments a much larger study is currently underway.

Bakris G, Dickholtz M et al. (2007) Atlas Veterbra Realignment and Achievement of Arterial Pressure Goal in Hypertensive Patients: A Pilot Study. J Human Hypertension, 1-7.