Modern lifestyles are often more hectic than ever, and constant stimulation can easily lead to stress. Unfortunately, when the body is constantly stressed, high blood pressure can develop. Things can worsen when we do not get adequate sleep, exercise, and eat or drink unhealthy foods, all of which can worsen high blood pressure. Blood pressure is a measurement of the force the heart exerts on arteries when it contracts and relaxes. Normal blood pressure is around 120/80mmHG. When blood pressure is at or over 130/90mmHG, a person will be diagnosed as having high blood pressure. Sadly, high blood pressure affects 26% of the world population, and 9/10 of U.S. citizens are expected to develop hypertension, or high blood pressure, by age 65. Keeping your blood pressure under control is one of the most important things you can do to extend your lifespan and maintain optimal health.
There are several steps you can take to lower your blood pressure, such as:
- Optimize nutrient intake
- Increase physical fitness
- Drink less alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and do not smoke
- Practice stress reduction techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing
- Medication
- Chiropractic care
Chiropractic Treatment Helps with Blood Pressure
Another option that some individuals may choose when they suffer from high blood pressure is chiropractic treatment. In a recent study published by the Journal of Human Hypertension, researchers found that participants who received chiropractic treatment showed a significant drop in blood pressure.
How Diet Can Help with Blood Pressure
In addition to chiropractic care, diet changes can help or exacerbate high blood pressure. Here is what to consider regarding diet:
Sugar
High intake of sugar, especially sugary drinks such as soda, is associated with high blood pressure. Likewise, reducing sugar intake has been correlated with reduced blood pressure.
Potassium
High dietary intake of potassium is related to lower blood pressure. In fact, many researchers believe that high intakes of potassium are largely why hunter-gatherer tribes have low incidences of high blood pressure.
Cold-Water Fish
Studies have indicated that DHA (found in fish) effectively reduces blood pressure. Taking fish oil or eating cold-water fish several times a week may have a blood-pressure-lowering effect.
Magnesium
Studies have shown that a high intake of magnesium has been shown to reduce blood pressure. Foods such as spinach, beet greens, seeds, nuts, and chocolate are all high in magnesium.
How Lifestyle Factors Can Help with Blood Pressure
Lifestyle has a significant effect on blood pressure. Consider the following lifestyle factors that can have a positive impact on lowering high blood pressure:
- Losing weight can reduce blood pressure. Conversely, excess body fat can lead to elevated blood pressure
- Exercise has been shown to reduce blood pressure significantly.
- Poor sleep quality and short duration have been linked to high blood pressure. Correcting sleep disturbances has been shown to lower blood pressure.
- Exposure to UV light through a tanning bed or sunshine has been shown to reduce blood pressure.
- Several studies have shown that meditation can be effective in lowering blood pressure.
- Deep breathing exercises have been shown to lower blood pressure. Research suggests that 3-4 15-minute sessions per week of deep breathing are sufficient to have this effect.
- Weight loss. Excess body fat can raise blood pressure and reducing it can lower blood pressure.
Chiropractic Treatment & High Blood Pressure
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, there are several steps you can take. Lifestyle modifications such as not smoking, drinking, or having caffeine can lower blood pressure significantly. Maintaining a healthy diet and ensuring that you receive adequate exercise is also a good place to start. However, chiropractic treatment is another easy, research-backed method for lowering blood pressure. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive option for lowering blood pressure levels. Spinal and joint treatments relieve pain and tension and increase circulation, leading to decreased blood pressure levels. Other methods such as stretching, massage, and acupuncture may also reduce stress on the body. If dealing with high blood pressure feels overwhelming, let us help. Chiropractic treatment is a safe and effective, all-natural method of healing and promoting wellness that has been used for thousands of years.
The Atlas Adjustment Study
Multiple studies have confirmed the benefits of chiropractic care in treating high blood pressure. Most notably, in 2007, the director of the University of Chicago Comprehensive Hypertension Center, George Bakris, MD, conducted a placebo-controlled study to determine if a specialized chiropractic adjustment could lower high blood pressure. Eight weeks after the procedure, 25 patients with early-stage high blood pressure had significantly lower blood pressure than 25 similar patients who underwent placebo treatment. An average 14 mm Hg more significant drop in systolic blood pressure, and 8 mm Hg more significant drop in diastolic blood pressure, to be exact. All of this, from just one adjustment.
What vertebra could be so crucial that adjusting it could have such a dramatic effect? The Atlas vertebra. The Atlas vertebra is the C-1 vertebra, the first vertebra in the cervical spine. In the 2007 study, 25 patients received no blood pressure medication for eight weeks and instead received adjustments to their C-1 vertebra. X-rays showed that the procedure realigned the vertebra with the spine. Blood tests showed that their blood pressure was drastically reduced in response.
Atlas Total Health Chiropractic
Blood pressure medications can be expensive and come with unwanted side effects. However, there is a safe and effective drug-free treatment for high blood pressure. Minor adjustments to the spine’s vertebrae can bring significant results. If you are interested in learning more about all of the benefits of chiropractic care and how we may be able to help you, call Atlas Total Health Chiropractic to schedule a consultation. Call (866) 668-0108 or contact us online to schedule your consultation. Chiropractic care can bring relief from high blood pressure. Our team has experienced chiropractors who are ready to help you maintain optimal health and alleviate any pain or concerns you may have.
