The Benefits of Chiropractic for Heart Health

Gym girl with healthy heart

Heart Health Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Heart health probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about chiropractic care. Although most people associate chiropractic treatment with back and neck pain relief, treatments also help you improve your heart health. In fact, regular visits to the chiropractor offer a simple way to protect your heart.

Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure makes the heart work harder and increases your risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease or vision loss. In some cases, high blood pressure can be caused by a misaligned Atlas vertebra in the neck. Located at the top of the neck, the Atlas vertebra connects your head to your spine and helps keep your spine stable. Car accidents, injuries or poor posture can cause the vertebra to move out of alignment.

In addition to causing high blood pressure, misalignment of the Atlas vertebra may trigger:

  • Neck and Back Pain
  • Shoulder, Hip, Knee or Ankle Pain
  • Back Spasms
  • Stiff Neck
  • Difficulty Turning the Head
  • Headaches
  • Migraines
  • Ringing in the Ears
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Trouble Sleeping

University of Chicago Medicine researchers discovered that realigning the Atlas vertebra with a chiropractic adjustment can lower blood pressure in people who have high blood pressure. The adjustments dropped blood pressure by the same amount as taking two blood pressure medications at once. Chiropractic adjustments, also called spinal manipulation, involve quick thrusts to the spine that realign the vertebra and restore normal function.

Less Inflammation

Chronic inflammation causes or contributes to a variety of health problems ranging from arthritis to heart disease to type 2 diabetes. Inflammation may make it easier for plaque to form in your blood vessels. The fatty, waxy substance clogs the vessels, decreases the amount of oxygen your tissues and organs receive, and may increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, kidney damage, vascular dementia and other health conditions.

Adjustments and other chiropractic treatments relieve inflammation naturally. In a study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, spinal manipulation treatments had a positive effect on key inflammatory markers in the body in patients with low back pain.

Improved Nervous System Function

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems help control your heart rate variability (HRV), the time between heartbeats. HRV varies naturally depending on your emotions and activity level. Your HRV is considered high if there are variations in the time between each heartbeat. If you have a low HRV, the time between heartbeats doesn't change much. A high HRV is a good sign and means that your heart can easily adapt to a variety of environments and circumstances. A low HRV may increase your risk of heart disease, inflammation, depression, obesity and other diseases and conditions.

Your nervous system may not work as well as it should if misaligned vertebrae or tight tissues press on the nerves, irritating them. Unfortunately, that might increase your risk of low HRV. Adjustments and other chiropractic treatments relieve pressure on the nerves, allowing them to function normally once again.

Better Lung Function

The heart and lungs together work together to keep your body healthy. The oxygen from the air you breathe passes from your lungs into your bloodstream. Every beat of your heart sends oxygenated blood to your organs and tissues. Your heart won't receive the oxygen needs if a misaligned vertebra presses on a nerve that serves the lungs.

Relieving pressure on the nerve with a chiropractic adjustment may improve lung function, which in turn helps keep your heart healthy. Treatments also loosen tight chest or back muscles that may be affecting your ability to take deep breaths.

Chiropractic care is a good option for anyone but may be particularly helpful if you have a condition that affects breathing, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Are you ready to enjoy the heart-healthy benefits of chiropractic? Get in touch with us to make an appointment.

Sources:

American Heart Association: Health Threats from High Blood Pressure, 3/4/2022

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What Is Atherosclerosis? 3/24/2022

NCBI: Journal of Chiropractic Medicine: Inflammatory Response Following a Short-Term Course of Chiropractic Treatment in Subjects with and Without Chronic Low Back Pain, 9/2010

UChicago Medicine: Special Chiropractic Adjustment Lowers Blood Pressure Among Hypertensive Patients with Misaligned C-1 Vertebra, 3/14/2007

Science Direct: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 5/2006

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  • "SUCCESS!!
    I had been experiencing tightness in my lower left back and buttocks going down the exterior of my left leg for about six months. I tried adjusting my posture and doing frequent stretching exercises. Although the problem didn't get worse, neither did it improve.
    After my first visit with Dr. Rich, I noticed a huge improvement. The pain down my leg reduced by 80% and the tightness in my back and buttocks improved too. Thus far I have had four sessions and continue to feel better with each visit. If not for Dr. Rich's treatments, who knows how long I would have continued living day to day with this irritating constant pain."
    PF
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    I want to thank you all so much for the care I received following my recent motorcycle accident.
    I came to my therapy the following Tuesday with a knot in my back that felt the size of a racquetball. After three sessions of very deep and hard massage it was finally broken up and has not come back since.
    Additionally all the work that Dr. Rich did on my spine, knees, left foot and shoulder joints have both relieved a great deal of pain and resulted in what I believe is an overall improvement in function.
    All in all by the time Dr. Rich recently released me, I feel that my back and joints are in better condition than before the accident. They certainly feel better.
    I cannot thank you enough."
    JKB
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    I started treatment with Dr. Rich and Christina, his wonderful massage therapist about two months ago. I had an appointment to see the nutritionist and arrived early so someone suggested to get a massage and I shared my neck and shoulder discomfort.
    I ended up being treated by Dr. Rich and he adjusted my neck, back and shoulder and I could not be happier. I never thought that all of my neck, shoulder and back issues would go away. I am a nurse and had been suffering with this pain for about a year. I am now able to work out and use my shoulder. My neck doesn't hurt and I am a happier person.
    Thank you so much Dr. Rich and Christina!"
    OP