What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is chronically elevated. The term blood pressure refers to the force of blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. When blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on the heart and arteries. This strain can lead to heart disease, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and if left untreated, premature death.

Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Unfortunately, high blood pressure rarely presents obvious symptoms. That is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly, starting at age 18. That being said, there are some people who do experience symptoms of high blood pressure, even though they may not realize it. In these cases, common symptoms include headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, chest pain, and difficulty sleeping.

How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects High Blood Pressure

In recent years, there has been a growing body of research linking vertebral misalignment in the upper cervical spine to hypertension. There are many different factors that can contribute to high blood pressure, but one of the most common is an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls the involuntary functions of the body, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and respiration. When this system is out of balance, it can lead to high blood pressure. 

As the topmost segment of the spinal column, the vertebrae of the upper cervical spine are in close proximity to the brainstem, a region of the brain closely integrated with the functions of the autonomic nervous system. When one or more vertebrae in the upper cervical spine are misaligned, it can put pressure on the brainstem and spinal cord. Over time, this buildup of pressure can lead to dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system, disrupting nerve transmission and potentially causing the onset of hypertension.

How Our High Blood Pressure Treatment Works

At Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder, our treatment approach for high blood pressure is based on the principle of restoring balance in the autonomic nervous system. To do so, our expert chiropractors, Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau, focus on the health of the upper cervical spine and its relationship to the brainstem and autonomic nervous system. 

Diagnosing the underlying cause of your hypertension is the first step in our treatment process. This typically involves the use of a suite of advanced 3D imaging technologies to pinpoint the exact location of any vertebral misalignments. If a misalignment is detected, Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau will then target the affected vertebrae using the Blair Upper Cervical technique, a gentle, precise, and effective adjustment method. By removing a major interference to the function of the autonomic nervous system, our team can help you bring your blood pressure back into a healthy range and improve your overall quality of life.

If you’re looking for an effective and natural way to treat high blood pressure, we’re here to help! We service patients across Colorado, including Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette, Broomfield, and Denver.