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Chiropractic Cuts Blood Pressure Study Finds Special 'Atlas Adjustment' Lowers Blood Pressure By Daniel J. DeNoon WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD March 16, 2007 -- A special chiropractic adjustment can significantly lower high blood pressure, a placebo-controlled study suggests. "This procedure has the effect of not one, but two blood-pressure medications given in combination," study leader George Bakris, MD, tells WebMD. "And it seems to be adverse-event free. We saw no side effects and no problems," adds Bakris, director of the University of Chicago hypertension center. Eight weeks after undergoing the procedure, 25 patients with early-stage high blood pressure had significantly lower blood pressure than 25 similar patients who underwent a sham chiropractic adjustment. Because patients can't feel the technique, they were unable to tell which group they were in. X-rays showed that the procedure realigned the Atlas vertebra -- the doughnut-like bone at the very top of the spine -- with the spine in the treated patients, but not in the sham-treated patients. Compared to the sham-treated patients, those who got the real procedure saw an average 14 mm Hg greater drop in systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure count), and an average 8 mm Hg greater drop in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom blood pressure number). None of the patients took blood pressure medicine during the eight-week study. "When the statistician brought me the data, I actually didn't believe it. It was way too good to be true," Bakris says. "The statistician said, 'I don't even believe it.' But we checked for everything, and there it was." Bakris and colleagues report their findings in the advance online issue of the Journal of Human Hypertension. What does this have to do with high blood pressure pressure? Bakris notes that some researchers have suggested that injury to the Atlas vertebra can affect blood flow in the arteries at the base of the skull. Researchers think the misaligned Atlas triggers release of signals that make the arteries contract. Whether the procedure actually fixes such injuries is unknown, Bakris says. Bakris began the study after a fellow doctor told him that something strange was happening in his family practice. The doctor had been sending some of his patients to a chiropractor. Some of these patients had high blood pressure. Yet after seeing the chiropractor, the patients' blood pressure had normalized -- and a few of them were able to stop taking their blood pressure medications. So Bakris, then at Rush University, designed the pilot study with 50 patients. He's now organizing a much bigger clinical trial. "Is it going to be for everybody with high blood pressure? No," Bakris says. "We clearly need to identify those who can benefit. It is pretty clear that some kind of head or neck trauma early in life is related to this. This is really a work in progress. It is certainly in the early stages of research." Come Exercise with Community Chiropractic Weekly Group Walking, Running, and Bike Riding Locations and Hours For Winter 2008-9 GROUP WALKS Tuesday morning and Thursday evening walking groups will return in the spring. See you in late March. GROUP BIKE RIDE. Due to early morning darkness we are currently done this ride for the season. We will resume this ride in May of 2010. Thanks to everyone who came out this year and made Thursday mornings so much fun. See you next year. Also check out the group rides sponsored by two of our excellent local bike shops. www.bnbbikes.com (keep up with Kelly ... if you can.) www.bikesportbikes.com GROUP RUN Saturday morning group run early (between 5:00am and 6:00am start times) The run distance varies anywhere from 8-20 miles. It is a very large, diverse and fun group, there is always someone to run with no matter what pace or distance you want to run. The run is usually in the Skippack/Collegeville area, but start times and locations vary week to week. If you are interested in participating, contact the office and we'll put you on our exercise email list. UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS Here is a list of additional events that we will be organizing group participation for in 2009. Choosing to particiapte in an local sporting event can be a great way to get yourself in shape, and training with a group can be both fun and motivating. If you are interested in joining up with our group to participate just contact the office. Know of a great local event not listed below, please pass the information along, we would love to hear about it. MORE MORE COMING SOON! Core Strength. What is it, and how does it benefit the body? Core strength training may be a relatively new, buzz term in the fitness industry but doctors, therapists and athletes have understood its value for many years. The core region consists of far more than just the abdominal muscles. In fact core strength training aims to target all the muscles groups that stabilize the spine and pelvis. It's these muscle groups that are critical for the transfer of energy from large to small body parts during many sporting activities. Core Strength Training For Good Spinal Health, not just athletic performance. The muscles of the trunk and torso act to stabilize the spine, pelvis and shoulder girdle. From this solid, balanced base the limbs can be moved powerfully and under control. In fact before movements of the extremities can take place, the central nervous system stabilizes the spine in anticipation. The rate at which the core muscles stabilize the spine may have a direct effect on the power of limb movement. Core strength training differs from many traditional weight training routines by working both the lower back and abdominals in unison. The same is true for the upper and lower body. All movements incorporate the core in some way. Very few muscle groups are isolated. Instead the whole body works as a unit and core strength training endeavors to replicate this. What are the benefits of core strength training to the athlete? Greater efficiency of movement Improved body control and balance Increased power output from both the core musculature and peripheral muscles such as the shoulders, arms and legs Reduced risk of injury (the core muscles act as shock absorbers for the spine) Improved balance and stability Improved cardiovascular performance! Core Strength Training for Reducing Back Problems Weak or poorly controlled core muscles have been associated with low back pain. The back muscles are responsible for movements such as extension and flexion of the spine and rotation of the trunk. Excessive or uneven shock on the spine may lead to back problems. This may be exaggerated because weak core muscles lead to improper positioning or a forward tilt. In many exercises that use the back muscles, the abdominal muscles contract isometrically stabilizing the body. The stronger and more correctly balanced the core muscles are, the less the uneven strain on the spine. Core strength training is simple to do and does not require expensive equipment. In fact after some basic instruction, an exercise mat and balance ball are all you really need to get started. Ask us about a core strength training program that's right for you. ICE vs HEAT All my fellow weekend warriors who frequently end up with minor sprains, strains, aches, and pains often ask the following questions: When should I use ice? When should I use heat? I have heard these simple questions answered in ways so bizarre it would make even the great Cliff Claven (of Cheers) proud. So here is some basic information that may help clarify the confusion. Ice Therapy 101 (Best for acute injuries) While ice may not be the most comfortable thing to put on your body, your injured tissues will thank you. Putting ice on the area is important for the first 48-72 hours after an injury as it: slows down circulation which reduces inflammation numbs the area to reduce pain. The above steps allow the body to heal faster. What About Heat? While heat is much more comforting, the heating process actually can make acute problems worse. Heat has the complete opposite effect on the joint: it increases blood flow and inflammation. So, hot packs, hot water bottles, whirlpool baths, and heating pads should be avoided for the first 48-72 hours after injury. If you choose to soak in a whirlpool or hot bath after injury, follow your bath with ice treatment of the affected area. Ice is Nice The therapeutic effects of ice are experienced in the first ten minutes. After that, the response actually reverses itself as your body acts to save the frozen area by increasing circulation. You do not want those side effects. You may ice hourly, just for no longer than ten minutes. With this in mind, do not fall asleep on an ice pack, or you will wake up very sore! Ice Procedures Always place a towel between the ice pack and your skin. Remember RICE Rest, Ice, Compress (e.g. wrap area in a bandage), Elevate. If possible, raise the injured area above the level of the heart. Follow ice with gentle pain-free range of motion in all directions of the injured joint. Heat Therapy 101 (Best for more chronic soreness) Heat packs or blankets can be safely applied once youˇ¦re sure there is no inflammation. This generally occurs around 48-72 hours post injury. Heat packs can be applied for long periods of time without difficulty or complications. Always remember to place a towel between the heat pack and your skin to avoid burns. For better pain control in chronically sore areas use the ice/heat/ice method: Ice the affected area for 10 minutes Follow with 10 minutes of heat End with 10 minutes of ice. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us!