Though doctors are unsure of what causes blood pressure to increase, a new study suggest that a specific type of neck adjustment may reduce hypertension for some of the 65 million Americans battling it.  The University of Chicago study, published in the Journal of Human Hypertension, looked at the possibility of a connection between a spinal realignment and a decrease in blood pressure.  The results were intriguing.  The patients who received the chiropractic adjustments saw their blood pressure drop an average of 17 points-a dip that usually takes two blood pressure medications to achieve.


Why it may work?  The idea behind the realignment is that the C-1 vertebra, located at the top of the spine, operates like a fuse box in the body.  When it's twisted, it can pinch arteries and nerves at the neck's base, which not only causes discomfort but also affects the blood flow.  "When the spine is misaligned, it can affect all types of things, all types of disease conditions," said chiropractor Marshall Dickholtz Jr.


The Limitations.  While the study presents interesting ideas, it has its limitations according to "Good Morning America" medical editor Dr. Tim Johnson.  "There are a lot of unanswered questions.  But I'm telling you, this catches our attention because of a significant drop in the blood pressure.  It absolutely deserves more study."
A larger study has been commissioned; in the original study only 50 patients were treated, of which only 25 got the real adjustment, while others received a fake one.  Afterwards there was only an eight week follow-up.  Besides determining which patients would require x-rays to determine whether the procedure could help them, the procedure requires very special chiropractic training, Johnson said.  And no one knows for sure how long the neck adjustments or blood pressure decreases will last.
Johnson said that people with neck pain and hypertension should visit their primary care physician first and not substitute the doctor's visit with a trip to the chiropractor.  "But in talking with their doctor if they are having some neck problems they might want to entertain this idea."


March 25, 2008; Naaman and Ibanga; ABC News Internet Ventures

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into certain points on the body. These needles stimulate the flow of qi (chee) energy throughout the body, helping to regulate the body’s natural systems. Many people are afraid of needles but acupuncture needles are extremely thin–usually the thickness of a strand of hair–and the insertion is barely noticed. The needles are inserted very superficially in the skin and retained in the body while the patient rests. Acupuncture works by helping to regulate the body’s natural energy flow, to reduce the cravings of nicotine withdrawal, to calm the mind and ease anxieties, and to strengthen and benefit the lungs and clear phlegm, tar and nicotine residue out of the lungs.

Often people smoke to deal with stuck energy in the body that shows itself as feelings of anxiety, tension, anger or grief. Smoking a cigarette draws warm air deeply into the lungs and the nicotine hits our blood stream, then works its way into our brain allowing us to momentarily feel relaxation and release from these emotions. Acupuncture helps by regulating this stuck energy and moving it along in the same way that deep breaths or a few moments of quiet meditation will do.

Acupuncture, particularly ear or ‘auricular acupuncture’, will help reduce the cravings for nicotine by stimulating receptors in our brains that nicotine usually binds to and create a break from the cravings. Ear acupuncture can be done by any acupuncturist.

One of the most powerful benefits of an acupuncture session is the way it calms your mind and eases anxiety. People often smoke to mask feelings they don’t wish to feel or face. Acupuncture helps to safely move these feelings out of the body. People comment that they have more restful sleep, fall asleep easier and sleep longer after acupuncture.

Finally, acupuncture helps to physically remove tar and nicotine residue from the body. This allows the lungs to feel lighter, the voice less gravely, helps stop coughing and improves digestion.  Acupuncture can help stop this addictive feedback cycle and help you to create a new, positive sensory feedback cycle for your brain.

http://www.acos.org/articles/acupuncture-to-quit-smoking/

Acupuncture is the insertion of ultra-thin, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points on the body which reside on channels or meridians; these are pathways in both the exterior and interior of the body. These points, when needled, can regulate the way in which the body functions. Acupuncture helps by addressing problems that affect fertility such as an under-functioning thyroid (hypothyroidism) or over-functioning thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

Can Acupuncture Be Used To Treat Infertility?
Acupuncture, frequently combined with herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to treat some but not all causes of infertility. For example, acupuncture and herbs will not work to address tubal adhesions which can occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. However, in this situation, an individual could still benefit from acupuncture and herbs because of the potential effect of improved ovarian and follicular function. Additionally, acupuncture can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining.

When Should Acupuncture Treatment Begin?
Acupuncture is similar to physical therapy in that it is a process-oriented method of medical intervention. It is better to do more than less. Patients are commonly treated for three to four months before progressing to insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor-egg transfer. This pacing of treatment seems to have a therapeutic effect.

In a study by Stener-Victorin et al from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fertility Centre, Scandinavia and University of Gothenburg, women are encouraged to receive acupuncture treatments pre and post embryo transfer. Clinical observations from the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness suggest that the most effective fertility treatments involve a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and traditional medicine. However, conception occasionally occurs when acupuncture and herbal medicines are used without traditional medical interventions.

Infertility And Acupuncture: When Should I Stop?
Typically most miscarriages occur within the first three months of pregnancy. Consequently, treatment of patients may often last through week twelve to help prevent miscarriage.


What Are The Risks Of Using Acupuncture With Infertility?
There are minimal risks in using acupuncture for fertility treatment. The risk of miscarriage may increase if incorrect acupuncture points are used during pregnancy. This is one reason why those choosing to include acupuncture in their treatment regimen should only be treated by an acupuncturist who specializes in treating fertility disorders. Acupuncture is generally safe regardless of a person’s medical history.

Infertility And Acupuncture: Who Make Up Typical Patients?
Acupuncture can be used to treat any type of fertility disorder including spasmed tubes. Spasmed tubes are often de-spasmed with acupuncture, though blocked tubes will not respond to acupuncture. Acupuncture is often combined with herbal remedies to treat elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), repeated pregnancy loss, unexplained (idiopathic) infertility, luteal phase defect, hyperprolactinemia (when not caused by a prolactinoma), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with annovulatory cycles, and male factor including men affected with sperm-DNA-fragmentation.

Resources:
-Article written by Dr. Mike Berkley on behalf of the APA. Dr. Berkley is an expert on acupuncture, herbal medicines and traditional medicine as means for treating infertility.
-http://americanpregnancy.org/infertility/acupuncture.htm

Chiropractic care isn't just for adults, children can benefit too! Many people think, "What could a child need an adjustment for?" However, there are many traumas that children go through that can cause spinal misalignment and result in larger problems.

How chiropractic can Benefit Children
The birth process is the first traumatic event children go through. During birth, the neck and spine of a baby can easily become misaligned due to the stretching and compression that takes place. As a child develops, new activities such as supporting the head, crawling, and learning to walk put additional stress on the spine. These misalignments can irritate nerves. Irritated nerves can reduce the function of muscles and major body systems, and cause a wide array of symptoms. 

Conditions Chiropractic Can Help in Infants and Toddlers
In infants, irritated nerves can contribute to the symptoms of colic. In toddlers, irritated nerves and spinal misalignments are often related to ear infections. In older children, irritated nerves can be related to asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, or can complicate sports injuries. Several studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of chiropractic for treating colic, ear infections, and asthma. Studies supporting the use of chiropractic care for the treatment of scoliosis and other common spinal problems is also readily available. 


Resource: http://www.brueggemanchiropractic.com/baby-chiropractor-treatments

When someone experiences dizziness, also called vertigo, the whole world seems to spin out of control with the nearest solid object becoming a lifesaver.

Vertigo is a common complaint, especially after head and neck trauma. It may come from problems in the inner ear, or from disturbances in pathways in the nervous system.  The experience can be impact your whole world, causing nausea, vomiting, and sweating.

If you are having trouble with vertigo, your chiropractor may be able to help. In a recent report in Livestrong, chiropractic solutions are outlined.

Chiropractic manipulation can help solve vertigo:  “Your chiropractor will use manipulation targeting joints that are not moving properly. In the upper neck, faulty motion patterns create misinformation about body position and movement going from the joints to the brain. This type of vertigo, called cervicogenic vertigo, can be helped by chiropractic manipulation.”

Positioning Maneuvers: The inner ear houses the body’s true balance center, the vestibulocochlear system. This complex system of fluid-filled tubes lined with hair-like sensors provides information to the central nervous system about position and movement. In some individuals, debris may accumulate in there. If this debris settles on sensitive areas within the tubes, it may result in vertigo.

If the patient’s vertigo appears to be coming from the inner ear, a chiropractor may use the Epley Maneuver to reposition the debris to a more innocuous position.

Your chiropractor will have exercises to help too.  Exercises like the Brandt-Daroff technique have the person sit on the edge of a bed and flop first to one side, back upright, then to the other side at one-minute intervals. Tai chi exercise may also help as slow, controlled movements provide a safe way to focus on your body movements and balance.

Your chiropractor will discuss your diet and daily habits to pinpoint other reasons for vertigo. Tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and other substances that stimulate or depress the nervous system may become triggers. And non-prescription sleeping pills or antihistamines can spark dizziness. Your chiropractor may also suggest meditation, relaxation, or breathing techniques to regain control.

As you pursue diet, new daily habits, and relaxation techniques, be sure to discuss changes with your doctor to complete your health picture.

Story Credit: http://www.livestrong.com/article/180711-chiropractic-treatments-vertigo/