From the Guidelines
Chiropractic adjustment to the thoracic area may have a positive effect on reducing hypertension in patients taking antihypertensive medication, but the current evidence does not support it as a replacement for medication. The provided evidence does not directly address the question of whether chiropractic adjustment to the thoracic area reduces hypertension in patients taking antihypertensive medication. However, it does provide guidance on the management of hypertension, including lifestyle modifications and pharmacological agents 1. Some key points to consider when managing hypertension include:
- Measuring seated resting blood pressure on 2 visits and assessing current treatment and compliance 1
- Providing lifestyle modifications, such as regular physical activity, weight management, and moderate sodium restriction, and considering drug therapy for patients with chronic kidney disease, heart failure, or diabetes 1
- Using pharmacological agents, such as thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and CCBs, as the primary basis for treatment of high blood pressure 1 It is essential to view chiropractic adjustment as part of a comprehensive approach to managing hypertension, not as a replacement for medication without consulting the patient's primary care physician. When documenting chiropractic care for patients with hypertension, it is crucial to capture the key information, including initial blood pressure, intervention performed, and the result, and to continue monitoring blood pressure at future visits to assess long-term effects of adjustments. In terms of specific recommendations, the most recent and highest quality study suggests that a comprehensive approach to managing hypertension, including lifestyle modifications and pharmacological agents, is the most effective way to reduce blood pressure and improve patient outcomes 1.
From the Research
Chiropractic Adjustment and Hypertension
- The relationship between chiropractic adjustments and hypertension has been studied in various research papers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- A study published in 1993 found that a patient with chronic essential hypertension experienced a reduction in blood pressure after receiving chiropractic care, specifically short lever arm spinal adjustments 2.
- Another study published in 2020 reviewed the literature on chiropractic care and hypertension, finding that the results were promising but often contradictory, suggesting the need for more research 3.
Thoracic Area Adjustments
- None of the studies provided specifically focused on chiropractic adjustments to the thoracic area and their effect on hypertension.
- However, a study published in 2002 found that full-spine chiropractic care, which may include adjustments to the thoracic area, resulted in a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension 6.
Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care
- A study published in 2013 found that chiropractic care resulted in a statistically significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure in African American patients with hypertension stage 1 5.
- Another study published in 1988 found that chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine resulted in a significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in normotensive subjects 4.
- The evidence suggests that chiropractic care may have a positive effect on blood pressure, but more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness 3, 6.