What do you all think about chiropractic treatment to lower HBP? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

2muchdrugs28 · 06-12-2007, 11:05 PM

Hi all,
I recently read an article about a study that showed chiropractic treatment can lower HBP. It invovled a special procedure to adjust the atlas vertebrae, which are located near the base of the skill.

Admittedly, I have always been skeptical about chiropractic treatment. The only reason that I have paid attention to this study is because a MD, not a chiropractor, conducted the study and reported the results. However, after taking HBP drugs for two years, I am open to alternative treatments. Does anyone have success stories (or warnings) about resorting to chiropractic treatment for HBP?

thanks,

Lenin · 06-13-2007, 05:17 AM

Personally,
I wouldn't let any chiropractor fiddle anywhere NEAR my axis vertebra. THe risks with neck manipulations include STROKE, neurological disorders, etc.

There is no good evidence that any manipulation of the Atlas vertebra will lower blood pressure. I judge such claims to be pure QUACKERY!

Chiropractors have their place, but NOT in blood pressure management.

2muchdrugs28 · 06-14-2007, 10:08 PM

Lenin,
A year ago, you may have been right by suggesting that there is no good evidence that chiropractic treatment can lower blood pressure. However, there is a recent study by Dr. George Bakris, a MD at Rush Hospital in Chicago, that showed adjusting the atlas vertebrae could lower blood pressure significantly. Patients in his study who underwent the atlas adjustment averaged a blood pressure reduction of 14 mm Hg systolic and 8 mm diastolic. Patients that received a sham chiropractic treatment experienced no BP reduction.

All I am saying is that the risk of a stroke from chiropractic treatment may be worth it if you can lower your blood pressure significantly. We all know that high blood pressure by itself is a major risk factor for strokes too.

flowergirl2day · 06-14-2007, 10:22 PM

Hi,

Just wondering if the BP reduction was permanent or only temporary.Would regular on-going chiropractic treatments be required for BP maintenance?

Lenin · 06-15-2007, 07:01 AM

2muchdrugs,

If I had a quarter for every claim that was made for chiropractic cures, I would be a VERY rich man today. Yes, some even claimed they could cure cancer with manipulations.
When I see a good controlled study of the beneficial and relatively risk free effect of Atlas manipulation on the BP and this study duplicateable (sp?

), then I will believe this jillionth claim of chiropractic's wonders.

THere ARE some people who suffer various conditions because the size of the entry hole into the cranium is too small...surgical resizing of this hole has been beneficial...but my memory is hazy on this and I don't know if it's still being pursued, or even what the conditon was....it was big news about 5 years ago.

There is almost NOTHING worth risking a stroke or full body paralysis for, IMHO. I REALLY, REALLY think it is too dangerous to contemplate. Peruse anying like the "dangers of neck manipulation" and you'll find some scary stuff.

A large group of Canadian clinical neurologists , all certified members of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, have issued a warning to the Canadian public and provincial governments about the dangers of neck manipulation, warning that stroke and death due to neck manipulation has been reported in the scientific literature for over 50 years and that manipulation is one of the LEADING causes of stroke in the under 45-age group. In fact they recommended that any young people presenting with stroke symptoms be quizzed about recent neck manipulations.

The state has long used Atlas manipulation in the judicial system...it was called HANGING!

<I COULDN'T resist!>

If you DO want to try it, make sure you make yourself an "informed consumer" first...read all you can on the pros and cons. MAke it SUPER informed because of the potential horrors. (I'd happily take a bullet to the head rather than paralysis.)