Did You Know That Relieving Neck Pain Might Lower Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is a very common health issue throughout the world, and it’s one that can, unfortunately, lead to some deadly consequences. One of the most under-the-radar methods that may help lower blood pressure: relieving neck pain.

That’s right. If you have neck pain that won’t go away, it may be an indicator that your blood pressure is high.

What exactly is high blood pressure, and why should you worry about it?

Also known as hypertension or HPB, high blood pressure is when blood is flowing through your veins at a force that is considered too high on a consistent basis. Nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure, and it often goes undiagnosed if people do not go to regular doctor checkups.

If you suffer from high blood pressure, you may at risk of some very scary health events, such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and vision failure. Paying a visit to a licensed chiropractor may not only help to relieve the pain, but also reduce your blood pressure – something that can lead to a happier, healthier, longer life.

How are the two things connected?

The Relationship between Neck Pain and High Blood Pressure

Being able to successfully manage blood pressure is very important and can often be the difference in being able to live a healthy life. Scientists at the University of Leeds have discovered that our neck muscles play a monumental role in brain control functions where we don’t actively need to think, such as blood pressure and breathing.

How are the neck and brain connected?

For over 100 years, we’ve known the location in the brain where neck signals are sent. However, it hasn’t been clear how it all works.

Today, researchers believe that nervous signals that come from the neck play a role in how the body knows when to transfer blood. Transferring blood is something that occurs frequently throughout the day, especially when changing posture.

If the neck is in pain, it could mean that the signaling system between the brain and the neck is not working properly. If the signaling system in your neck is not working properly, it can be one of the presenting symptoms in high blood pressure.

Way More Than Just a Pain in the Neck

You may think that a sore neck is just a sore neck, but sometimes there is a lot more going on. Because of this, it’s important to take neck pain seriously and address it as soon as possible – otherwise, you could be inflicting damage to your vital organs.

Some of the other more serious problems associated with neck pain can include balance problems, memory difficulties, endocrine problems, and paresthesias.

So, what should you do?

Visiting a chiropractor is one of the best ways to make sure that your neck pain is relieved in the safest manner possible. They are trained to deal with problems within the musculoskeletal system by adjusting the spine and joints using sudden movements and forces.

Adjustments for neck pain (known as cervical manipulation) loosens the cervical vertebrae joints in the neck. These can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as muscle spasms and pinched nerves.

What Happens After You Address Your Neck Pain?

If you are experiencing a sore neck and you have high blood pressure, relieving neck pain may help lower it to a pain-free level. Once the pain is addressed through chiropractic procedures, your blood pressure could lower naturally.

This would mean that you would not have to take any medications to lower blood pressure, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, or ACE inhibitors. Many people would prefer not to use drugs if possible, in part due to the potential side effects that can come with them.

Another benefit of visiting a chiropractor for your neck pain is that having normal blood pressure will lead to an increased quality of life. You will not be putting as much strain on your vital organs as you were when you had high blood pressure, which in turn can allow you to get the most out of life. Regular exercising should also become easier since you will not be in pain when you are working out.

Do you suffer from both neck pain and high blood pressure? Are you interested in learning if they are connected? Visiting a chiropractor is a fantastic way to get some much-needed pain relief for your neck, while also potentially lowering your blood pressure as well. Set up an appointment today!

About the Author:

Dr. Singer has been a practicing chiropractor for more than 20 years, and USA Health & Therapy has been around since 2004. Over the course of his career, Singer has helped tens of thousands of people with all kinds of issues by using a wide variety of treatment strategies. He has extensive knowledge of chiropractic modalities, including Gonstead, Diversified, Thompson Drop Table, and Activator, and in 1997 he earned a special adjunctive Chiropractic Certification in Spinal Trauma (CCST) to better provide care for car crash victims. Dr. Singer is licensed to practice chiropractic medicine in both Florida and New York.