Like most medical doctors, Bruce Bell was skeptical when it came to chiropractic. Then patient after patient returned from a chiropractor with relief from low back pain - and their blood pressure improved, too. Bell, who runs a large family medical practice in Fox River Grove, decided to investigate the technique, which involves a special adjustment to the Atlas vertebra at the top of the spine. He got a well-known hypertension researcher to design a pilot study, and together they published the surprising results: Of 25 patients who received the Atlas adjustment, all 25 experienced a significant drop in blood pressure. A placebo group who got a sham treatment saw a much smaller change.The reduction was the same as in people who are taking two drugs to lower blood pressure."When we looked at the numbers, it was astonishing," said Dr. George Bakris, director of the hypertension center at the University of Chicago and the lead author of the study, which was published last month in the Journal of Human Hypertension."I was expecting to see some change, but this was very significant, and it was very consistent."Patients who received the real adjustment saw an average 14 mm Hg greater drop in systolic blood pressure (the top number) and an 8 mm Hg greater drop in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number).
Most chiropractors are not trained in the Atlas adjustment. The technique is practiced by a relatively small number of chiropractors certified in National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association techniques. NUCCA chiropractors take precise measurements with x-rays to determine the proper alignment of the Atlas vertebra. If the patient is out of line, the chiropractor uses his or her hands to restore it to its proper position.
Courtesy of Daily Herald
No comments:
Post a Comment