Atlas Vertebra Realignment and Achievement of Arterial Pressure Goal in Hypertensive Patients: A Pilot Study.
Bakris G, Dickholtz M, Meyer PM, Kravitz G, Avery E, Miller M, Brown J, Woodfield C, Bell B. Journal of Human Hypertension 2007 (May); 21 (5): 347 – 352. Department of Preventive Medicine, Rush University Hypertension Center, Chicago, IL, USA Anatomical abnormalities of the cervical spine at the level of the Atlas vertebra are associated with relative ischaemia of the brainstem circulation and increased blood pressure (BP). Manual correction of this mal-alignment has been associated with reduced arterial pressure. This pilot study tests the hypothesis that correcting mal-alignment of the Atlas vertebra reduces and maintains a lower BP. Using a double blind, placebo-controlled design at a single center, 50 drug naive (n=26) or washed out (n=24) patients with Stage 1 hypertension were randomized to receive a National Upper Cervical Chiropractic (NUCCA) procedure or a sham procedure. Patients received no antihypertensive meds during the 8-week study duration. The primary end point was changed in systolic and diastolic BP comparing baseline and week 8, with a 90% power to detect an 8/5 mm Hg difference at week 8 over the placebo group. The study cohort had a mean age 52.7+/-9.6 years, consisted of 70% males. At week 8, there were differences in systolic BP (-17+/-9 mm Hg, NUCCA versus -3+/-11 mm Hg, placebo; P<0.0001) and diastolic BP (-10+/-11 mm Hg, NUCCA versus -2+/-7 mm Hg; P=0.002). Lateral displacement of Atlas vertebra (1.0, baseline versus 0.04 degrees week 8, NUCCA versus 0.6, baseline versus 0.5 degrees , placebo; P=0.002). Heart rate was not reduced in the NUCCA group (-0.3 beats per minute, NUCCA, versus 0.5 beats per minute, placebo). No adverse effects were recorded. We conclude that restoration of Atlas alignment is associated with marked and sustained reductions in BP similar to the use of two-drug combination therapy.
Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow Patterns and Velocities of Migraine Subjects Following an Atlas Correction
Upper Cervical Research Foundation
A patient diagnosed with migraine headaches showed compelling results after receiving an Upper Cervical Chiropractic adjustment. In this patient, an atlas misalignment was determined & a correction to the atlas was given. Pre- and post- magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated changes in cerebral venous outflow. The patient obtained relief from migraine headache pain consistent to maintenance of his atlas correction by the end of thirty days. The magnetic resonance image exams continued to show improvement of the symptoms over the 16- week study period that was consistent to maintenance of the Atlas alignment.