New Study Indicates Link Between Chiropractic Care, Hypertension Relief
Posted on April 11, 2008
A new study done by the University of Chicago suggests that chiropractic care can successfully treat high blood pressure – a condition affecting more than 65 million Americans. Hypertension can lead to increased risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease and eye disease.
The double-blind study, published in the “Journal of Human Hypertension,” resulted in a link between realignment of C-1 vertebra, located at the top of the spine, and a drop in blood pressure. The reduction was similar to that of patients using two-drug therapy.
Bill Elkington, DC, a professor in the College of Chiropractic at Northwestern Health Sciences University, said when the vertebra is not in alignment, the nerves are pinched at the base of the neck, affecting blood flow.
A larger study is needed to confirm the results. The original study involved 50 patients, with half of those receiving the adjustment. Dr. Elkington said the study is currently in the design phase and results probably won’t be available for two to four years.
Dr. Elkington said the study results were a surprise to everyone. He said the findings were so amazing that the medical doctor conducting the study, George Bakris, MD, found it hard to believe.
Dr. Bakris is a director of the hypertension center at University of Chicago Medical Center. He has certifications in hypertension, internal medicine and nephrology. He worked in cooperation with Marshall Dickholtz, Sr., DC, an 85-year-old Chicago area chiropractor. Dr. Dickholtz practices a specific upper cervical technique called NUCCA that targets this vertebra.
"This is a study done by a medical doctor with incredible credentials and who is willing to study a chiropractic technique in helping with a common medical problem,” Dr. Elkington said. “It could be huge.”
Dr. Elkington said in the years before the larger study is performed, Northwestern faculty will determine what needs to be done in teaching and research. Currently, Northwestern does not teach the NUCCA method.
NUCCA was developed in the 1940s and uses a specifically directed, low-force adjustment to correct atlas malalignment. Dr. Elkington said there is certification available for this technique.
If the results are confirmed, it will be interesting to see what other conditions might be affected by aligning this area of the neck, Dr. Elkington said.
He said it reminded him of the acupuncture treatment that targets An Mian points in this same area of the neck that can create more restful sleep as well as treatment for hypertension. Dr. Elkington said he wonders that other links might exist.
"If it turns out in the bigger study these results are confirmed, it could have a huge impact,” he said.