High Blood Pressure, Migraine Headaches and NUCCA

Recently, we took a look at what the research is showing regarding the connection between the upper cervical spine and blood flow to and from the brain and how that is an important factor in how trauma can induce conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and Migraine Headaches. And how when the traumatically induced upper cervical spine injuries are corrected and the underlying cause is identified frequently all or most of these debilitating conditions go away.

Well now we look at another major health issue in America...High Blood Pressure. In my own office I have seen patients blood pressure drop by over 30 points in the systolic when the upper neck misalignment is corrected.

Looking again at what the Upper Cervical Research Foundation (ucrf.org) found in their research with Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PC MR). It demonstrated the change in blood flow from the brain in Migraine patients and how all Migraines went away when the upper neck misalignment was corrected...they stated "These results coupled with previously documented normalization of blood pressure in a randomized double-blind study indicate a casual physiologic and measurable effect occurs after the correction of an Atlas misalignment....Possible Atlas misalignment interaction with the Trigeminovascular System via decreased intracranial compliance may produce neural influences on cerebral circulation as proposed by Dr. Goadsby providing impetus for further study..."

So what is the research that they are referring to regarding blood pressure?

Researchers at the Hypertension Center at the University of Chicago Medical Center reported stunning reductions in the blood pressure of patients afflicted with hypertension following NUCCA chiropractic care. In the study - published in the March 2, 2007 issue of The Journal of Human Hypertension and featured on WebMD, Good Morning America and other sources - 50 patients with hypertension were divided into two groups of 25 each. One group of 25 received a NUCCA spinal correction to the atlas vertebra (uppermost bone in the neck). This vertebra holds up the head and only relies on soft tissue to maintain alignment. Misalignment, also known as subluxation, usually goes undiagnosed and causes no pain or discomfort. The other group of 25 received a similar procedure but with no adjustment being given. Researchers called this procedure the "sham adjustment." Since the type of adjustment given was very light force, the patients involved in this study did not know if they were receiving the real or sham adjustments.

After 8 weeks of care, the 25 people in the group receiving the real chiropractic adjustments all showed a significant reduction in blood pressure compared to the group that received the sham adjustment. Those patients who got the real adjustment showed an average of 14 mm Hg greater drop in systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure count), and an average of 8 mm Hg greater drop in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom blood pressure number) over those who got the fake or sham adjustment. X-rays confirmed that the adjustments actually changed the position of the atlas vertebra among those in the study group. The study leader reported that the procedure had the effect of not one, but two blood pressure medications given in combination. And, his team reported no side effects whatsoever from the adjustment.

So if this NUCCA Procedure has been shown to reduce blood pressure, affect the blood flow from the brain in Migraine patients and influence Multiple Sclerosis and many other conditions that effect millions of Americans...why hasn't hardly anyone heard of it?

Good question...Tell a Friend about NUCCA today!

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About the Author
Dr. William R. Davis Jr., D.C. is a Carlsbad Chiropractor and Upper Cervical Specialist. He is in private practice in Southern California in the city of Vista. He specializes in correcting problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck).More information can be found on his website at www.nuccawellness.com/.