Jonathan Chung, DC Bio , Justin Brown, DC Bio, Joseph Busa, DC Bio
Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ January 2, 2014 ~ Pages 1-6
Abstract
Objective: The evaluation of hypertension for a patient before and after the start of upper cervical chiropractic care specifically with NUCCA (The National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) technique adjustments and its associated effects on blood pressure are examined. It is the aim of this paper to support the findings of the Pilot Study conducted by Bakris and Dickholtz, and to provide a brief explanation of the mechanisms behind this phenomena.
Clinical Features: A male patient presents with sciatica, wrist pain and hypertension which he has been treating with the medication Lisinopril and Simvastatin. It was found that he exhibited postural changes, uneven weight distribution, thermograph asymmetries and x-ray findings that substantiated adjustments to the first cervical vertebra according to the NUCCA chiropractic technique analysis.
Intervention and Outcomes: Contact specific, low force adjustments (NUCCA) to the upper cervical area of the spine were performed. Throughout care, the patient noted decreases in his sciatica pain, wrist pain and decreases in his blood pressure. After 16 adjustments, the patient is no longer taking medications to control his hypertension and his blood pressure remains stable.
Conclusions: All of the patient symptoms improved with chiropractic adjustments to the first cervical vertebra. Repeatable findings that chiropractic care can regulate blood pressure to desirable levels would be a push in the right direction to substantiate the validity of chiropractic care in helping patients with more than just neck pain, low back pain and headaches.
Key Indexing Terms: Hypertension, chiropractic, vertebral subluxation, blood pressure, NUCCA
