Your Neck and Blood Pressure

In a historic research study, George Bakris, MD, a Professor of Medicine and Director of the Comprehensive Hypertension Center at the University of Chicago, and Marshall Dickholtz, DC, a Chiropractic expert in the upper neck, wanted to see results of people with high blood pressure undergoing Chiropractic care.

The results showed that correcting misalignments in the upper neck, that were putting pressure on nerves, resulted in lowering blood pressure similar to two drug combination therapy.

Chiropractic is about removing interference to the nervous system. These blocks are caused by misalignments in the bones (vertebra) in the spine and the misalignments create interferences to the nervous system. Because the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions in the body, blocking it can affect every function in the body - including blood pressure regulation. This interference is known as a vertebral subluxation. They are removed by Chiropractic adjustments to get people well.

The study involved 50 people, focusing on the correction of vertebral subluxation in the upper neck, which creates nerve interference to the brainstem, which regulates blood pressure. A physical exam and x-rays were performed to determine where the misalignments were and how best to correct them.

“It is this obstruction of the nervous system that may cause a cascade of neurovascular events that lead to abnormal blood pressure regulation. The theory is that once those structural spinal shifts are corrected the body is better able to balance its physiology and adapt to its environment.”

This study demonstrated that upper cervical adjustments had the ability to not only lower high blood pressure values, but it also helped raise low blood pressure values.

This study was so profound because it showed the ability of the Chiropractic adjustment in the upper neck to lower blood pressure to the same extent as taking two drugs. This sparked great interest because of how many side effects are associated with blood pressure drugs.

IMPORTANT ANNOUCNEMENTS!

VALENTINE’S RAFFLE: Refer a loved one this month and be entered to win a $100 gift card to C’est la Vie Bistro in Lancaster City. New Patients that have been referred will receive their 1st Visit for just $14.

New Patients must mention who they are referred by for this offer to be received. Drawing will be held at the end of the day February 28th. Referrals must have had their appointment by the time of the drawing.

Waldorf Chicken Salad Pocket

•  2/3 cup cooked chicken, diced small   - 3 Tbs nonfat greek yogurt
•  1/4 cup chopped sweet apples             - 1/4 cup red grapes, halved
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    •  1/4 cup celery, chopped                        - 5 pecan halves, chopped
    •  Black pepper, to taste                          - 1/4 cup fresh spinach
    •  1/2 of a whole wheat pita

Instructions:

•  Mix all ingredients together except spinach and pita. Season to taste with black pepper. Fill the pita pocket with the spinach and the chicken salad mixture. It might not all fit into your pita - you can either fill another pita half or just eat it on the side. 

Yield: 1 Serving/ Toal Time: 10 Minutes

Journal to Better Health

Health care professionals agree on the benefits of journaling for one’s mental health. It’s a useful tool for self-development and self-awareness, to record our innermost feelings and ideas. It can also help track our physical health.

Benefits of keeping a journal include:

• Clarity of goals and dreams
• Quiets the mind and allows us to focus
• Offers “ME” time
• Gives a written account of where you are and where you are going.

It doesn’t take much time, just aim for a few minutes a day and see how you feel!