Recently I came across a study that was performed at the University Of  Chicago Medical Center where the premise of the study was to see if a specific chiropractic adjustment could lower blood pressure.  The specific adjustment performed was an Atlas adjustment.  The Atlas is the first cervical bone in our spine, also referred to as C-1.  It's called the Atlas vertebrae because it holds up the head, just as the titan Atlas holds up the world in Greek mythology.  The study was performed under the director of the hypertension center at the University Of  Chicago Medical Center, George Bakris, MD.  The study group was 50 individuals with a misaligned Atlas vertebrae and high blood pressure.  A misaligned Atlas is determined by specific instrumentation, x-ray measurements, and a chiropractor who is skilled in determining the misalignment.  Twenty five of the 50 individuals were given the specific Atlas adjustment and the other twenty five were given a sham adjustment which had no affect on the Atlas.  Neither group knew if they were receiving the actual adjustment.  The doctor who performed the adjustments for this study was Marshall Dickholtz Sr., an 84 year old chiropractor who owns Chiropractic Health Center, in Chicago.  Unlike other adjustments of the spine where joints interlock with one another and can cause "pops" and "cracks" when adjusted, the Atlas adjustment is mainly a soft tissue adjustment with specific force added which produces no noise or discomfort.  The Atlas relies solely upon soft tissue (muscles and ligaments) to maintain alignment, thereby making it vulnerable to displacement with out pain and can go unnoticed.  This is how the individuals in the study could not tell who was receiving the actual adjustment and ones who were not. 

The Atlas, to chiropractors,is the main fuse box- if we can call it this- to everything in the body.  The base of the brain and all signals that originate from this area has to come through the Atlas.  With just a few millimeters off in any direction and "pinching" of these vital signals, ones health can be affected in many ways.  The authors of the study concluded that measurements of systolic and diastolic readings were made after the adjustment and eight weeks post adjustment.  The results showed a lowering effect that is seen with patients that take two blood pressure lowering drugs together.  That was on average 14 mm Hg on systolic (top number) and  8 mm Hg drop in diastolic (bottom number).  A larger trial involving multiple chiropractors is being planned, and further research is forthcoming.  

For 115 years, chiropractors have seen miracles in their offices by delivering spinal adjustments.  This is just the start of more research to come and how we can better understand the effects of the neurological system on the health of our bodies.  Until next time,  live  life to the fullest!