Chiropractic adjustments take pressure off of the nervous system, decreasing thephysiological stress response. This allows the body to secrete appropriate hormone mix forfunction and healing. The result is a decrease in inflammation, blood pressure, and
enhanced organ function and healing.

In 1988, a double blind study of 75 patients was done in which one group of patientswith elevated blood pressure received adjustments to the thoracic spine area. Another group received placebos (movements that seemed to be adjustments but were not), and a 3rd group received no treatment.

The adjusted group experienced decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure while no significant change was noted in either the control or placebo group.

A specific 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 and director of the University of Chicago hypertension center George Bakris, MD also tells WebMD, “it seems to be adverse-event free. We saw no side effects and no problems”.

8 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.

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).

Dr. Yates conducted a randomized, controlled trial examining the effects of upper thoracic chiropractic adjustments on blood pressure in 21 subjects with elevated blood pressure. Only subjects demonstrated to have thoracic vertebral subluxations were randomly assigned to one of three groups:active, placebo, or control.

Subjects in the active group (those getting adjusted) showed statistically significantly decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Placebo and control groups demonstrated no such changes and did not differ significantly from each other.

These results support that an adjustment of thoracic subluxations significantly reduces blood pressure of patients with elevated blood pressure.

G Bakris, M Dickholtz Sr, P M Meyer, G Kravitz, E Avery, M Miller, J Brown, C Woodfield, B Bell. Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study. Journal of Human Hypertension. March 2, 2007.

Yates RG, Lamping DL, Abram NL, Wright C “Effects of Chiropractic Treatment on Blood Pressure and Anxiety: A Randomized, Controlled Trial” J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1988; 11(6): 484-488.