Articles
Lowering your blood pressure the natural way
Leah Karges - RMT and Dr. Carole Smith - Clinic Director, BA, DC
Imagine that your arteries are pipes that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs when your blood moves through your arteries at a higher pressure than normal.
High blood pressure that can be linked to a specific cause, such as a disease or drug, is called secondary hypertension. But most often the exact cause isn't known. Your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day; therefore, your blood pressure may need to be taken several times in a quiet setting, while you are comfortable, in order to better assess your blood pressure. Doctors need to assess if you have high blood pressure to prevent heart disease and stroke. You should have your blood pressure taken at least once every year by your health care provider.
High blood pressure is defined as a systolic (the higher number when the heart contracts) of 140 or higher and diastolic (the lower number when the heart relaxes) of 90 or higher. A study investigating chiropractic medicine and high blood pressure included 50 patients; subjects were asked to stop taking their blood pressure medications two weeks before participating in the study. Results showed that the patients who were adjusted in the cervical spine (neck) went from a systolic pressure of 147 to 129.8 and a diastolic pressure of 92.5 to 82.2 with the treatment. Without the treatment, patients' blood pressure remained virtually the same.
Another very effective ways to stave off high blood pressure is with massage therapy. A number of long term studies have shown that a consistent massage program can decrease both diastolic and systolic blood pressure; decrease salivary and urinary cortisol stress-hormone levels; and lower sources for depression, anxiety and hostility.
As is the intent with all massage programs, the ultimate goal lies in a pain free and relaxing lifestyle. Controlling blood pressure is just one of the added benefits of massage therapy.