Dr. Meggie Smith

Did you know that a study has shown chiropractic is more effective than the top two drugs at lowering blood pressure? Meredith tells me that this is National Blood Pressure month. And with that in mind, I wanted to share a 2007 study from the University of Chicago. The study focused on adjusting the top bone in the spine. It is that same bone that I focus on to help children with ear infections.  Because that bone is so close to the brain, it is especially sensitive to misalignments.

Researchers found that when chiropractic adjustments were performed, people with high blood pressure had an average drop in their systolic pressure (the top number) of 14mm Hg. The diastolic number (the bottom number) dropped an average of 8mm Hg. As those of you who are on hypertension drugs know, these are significant decreases!

And as all of you who get adjusted know, the negative side effects from chiropractic are almost non-existent. Sometimes you feel like you worked out after your first adjustment, sometimes you are a bit tired, or a little more emotional. But no one has ever come to me reporting asthma, depression or muscle weakness as a result of chiropractic care. These are all typical side effects of blood pressure medication.

Currently an additional study is underway to confirm these results.  The original study was published in the Journal of Hypertension in 2007. The authors were George Bakris MD and Marshall Dickholtz DC. Incidentally, when Dr. Liz first began practicing in Chicago, she worked in Dr. Dickholtz’s office!

If you know people who are worried about their blood pressure levels, or who are on hypertension medication, please share this information with them.  Whether they get help at Chiropractic First, or at another chiropractic office, they can address hypertension without medication.