Universal City Medical Wellness Group

Chiropractic Care And Blood Pressure

Dr. Rekar in a ConsultationAs reported in a recent article from WebMD news archive, "chiropractic cuts blood pressure. As noted in the placebo controlled study, "a special chiropractic adjustment can significantly lower high blood pressure," and that "this procedure has the effect of not one, but two blood pressure medications given in combination," and seems to be "adverse-event free," as noted by Dr. George Bakris, MD, Director of the University of Chicago Hypertension Center. It was shown via X-rays that the chiropractic procedure realigned the atlas vertebrae. On the average the systolic blood pressure dropped by 14 mm. Hg, and the diastolic blood pressure dropped by an average of 8 mm. Hg. These findings were documented by Dr. Bakris in the Journal of Human Hypertension. [direct link: "Chiropractic Cuts Blood Pressure" Article]

The atlas is the first cervical vertebrae (C1) which basically holds the skull up. Dr. Marshall Dickholtz Sr., D.C. of the Chiropractic Health Center in Chicago noted that the atlas vertebrae is the "fuse box to the body." Dr. Bakris suggests that "injury to the atlas vertebrae can effect the blood flow in the arteries at the base of the skull" and that a"misaligned atlas triggers release of signals that make the arteries contract." Currently larger clinical trials are underway to substantiate the findings and identify those patients who can benefit from this chiropractic adjustment. It is speculated that perhaps previous head and neck trauma may be the cause of these findings. As these clinical trials are completed we will keep you posted on the latest developments.

Best in Health,

David M. Rekar, M.D.
Medical Director


Universal City Medical Wellness Group (UCMWG) is a Multidisciplinary & Complementary Alternative Medical Group with an M.D. and Chiropractors, located near Universal Studios, Studio City, Hollywood, North Hollywood, Burbank & Toluca Lake, in L.A.

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