Atlas Chiropractic Adjustments Treat Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a serious health concern that is very common. Hypertension is a risk factor that can lead to stroke, heart attacks and aneurysms. It is also the leading cause of chronic renal failure.

Atlas Orthogonal Care Reduces Blood Pressure

Dr. David Nygaard, founder of Atlas Family Chiropractic in Asheville, NC, has had success in reducing hypertension though a specialized form of chiropractic care known as Atlas Orthogonal. Dr. Nygaard revealed that the Atlas bone is a small bone at the base of the skull and the beginning of the spinal cord, "The Atlas bone is named after the Titan Atlas, who in Greek mythology, supported the weight of the world."

This bone, like it's namesake, is the first link in the chain of bones that supports the weight of the skull. The nerves in your spinal column relay information from all parts of your body back and forth. When the Atlas moves from it's proper or orthogonal alignment it can cause a number of problems. The rest of the spine will move to support the weight of the skull and cause surrounding nerves to become pinched and irritated.

"In the case of hypertension, a misalignment of the Atlas bone may restrict blood flow in the arteries at the base of the skull. This restriction is a trauma that can cause surrounding nerves to send signals to the brain that cause the arteries to contract worsening the problem of hypertension," adds Nygaard.

Atlas Orthogonal Care Reduces Stress

Hypertension is caused by many things including poor diet and lack of exercise, but one factor doctors always discuss with patients who have high blood pressure is stress. Dr. Nygaard explains that there are many types of stress, "Everyone knows about mental stress. Stress from work, sitting in traffic, losing a loved one, these kinds of mental or emotional stress can cause very real physical problems."

Physical stress can be caused by repetitive motions, by sleeping in a bad position or having poor posture. Injuries like whiplash are also a form of physical stress. Physical stresses often cause pain that may seem normal due to circumstances but are a sign from the body that something is wrong and should not be ignored.

Chemical stress is something people are slowly becoming more aware of. Toxins and chemicals in our environment constantly assault our nervous system and can affect muscle tone. Drugs [both prescription and recreational], tobacco and alcohol, can all do harm to the body. Cleaning chemicals, pollen and vaccinations are lesser-known offenders.

"Whatever the cause, these stresses build up," says Nygaard. "Eventually the body reacts causing subluxations."

A subluxation is a stress response. Muscles go into spasm. Spinal bones lock up. And adjacent nerves are choked or chafed. This interferes with the control and regulation of your body. This garbles communications between the brain and parts of your body.

Atlas Orthogonal Adjustments treat these subluxations allowing muscles to relax, bones to return to their natural position and surrounding nerves to heal.

Atlas Orthogonal Care Lowers Blood Pressure Without Drugs

Dr. Nygaard believes in the body's power as a self healing and self-regulating organism. By treating problems with the spine, all the body's systems are allowed to function properly. The procedure of adjusting the Atlas bone is painless and has been shown effective in relieving hypertension without the side effects of pharmaceuticals. Some patients have over time been able to stop using blood-pressure medications.

Dr. Nygaard stresses that Atlas adjustments will not help everyone with high blood pressure; only a consultation for an Atlas Orthogonal chiropractor can determine if Atlas adjustments can aid a patient in reducing their hypertension.

For more information, visit:
http://atlasfamilychiropractic.net

Chris Wingate
Freelance journalist, outdoorsman and adrenalin junkie, Chris can be found exploring the forests of the South East where he is a white water raft guide on the French Broad River. When not wet or covered in mud Chris produces shows for his local public access TV station URTV and plays bass in an alt-country band "Hobos and Lace".
http://atlasfamilychiropractic.net