Chiropractic & Wellness Center

(317) 580-9867

Open mobile navigation
  • Schedule a New Patient Appointment
  • Home
  • What is Chiropractic?
  • About
    • Dr. Mary Jo Johnson, DC
    • Dr. Steve Avitabile, DC
    • Becky Troyer, LMT, LDHS
    • Kriss Luckett-Ziesemer, LMT
    • Sheryl Lanham, LMT
    • Kurt Johnson, Digestive Health Specialist
    • Savannah Fisher, Rehab Assistant
    • Ashley Claxton- Administration
  • Services
    • Laser Therapy
      • Low Level Laser and Bone Fractures
  • Symptoms & Conditions
    • Back Pain
    • Stress
    • Headaches
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Indigestion
    • Anxiety
  • Nutritional Guidance
    • Complete Nutritional Workup
    • Nutrition and Detoxification
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • What To Expect
      • Your First Visit
      • Phase 1: Relief Care
      • Phase 2: Corrective Care
      • Phase 3: Wellness Care
    • Health Resources
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Our Office
  • Blog
  • Community Content
    • Functional Medicine Chiropractic Care
      • Chiropractic Care For Children
      • Preventing Falls In Older Adults
      • How Technology Affects Health
      • Chiropractic Care For Athletes
      • Cold Laser Therapy
      • Heat Therapy
      • Cold Therapy
    • Drugfree Alternatives For Pain Management
      • Exercise
      • Diet
      • Acupressure
      • Massage
      • Lifestyle Practices
      • Yoga
      • Tai Chi
      • Strength Training
      • Mind-body Techniques
      • Stress Management
      • Aromatherapy
    • Nutrition
      • Vitamins And Nutrients
      • Superfoods
      • Whole Grains
      • Lean Protein Sources
      • Sugar Salt And Trans And Saturated Fats
    • 3D Spine Simulator
  • New Patient Forms Online
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • The Benefits of Chiropractic for Heart Health

The Benefits of Chiropractic for Heart Health

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Gym girl with healthy heart

Heart Health Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Heart health probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about chiropractic care. Although most people associate chiropractic treatment with back and neck pain relief, treatments also help you improve your heart health. In fact, regular visits to the chiropractor offer a simple way to protect your heart.

Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure makes the heart work harder and increases your risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease or vision loss. In some cases, high blood pressure can be caused by a misaligned Atlas vertebra in the neck. Located at the top of the neck, the Atlas vertebra connects your head to your spine and helps keep your spine stable. Car accidents, injuries or poor posture can cause the vertebra to move out of alignment.

In addition to causing high blood pressure, misalignment of the Atlas vertebra may trigger:

  • Neck and Back Pain
  • Shoulder, Hip, Knee or Ankle Pain
  • Back Spasms
  • Stiff Neck
  • Difficulty Turning the Head
  • Headaches
  • Migraines
  • Ringing in the Ears
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Trouble Sleeping

University of Chicago Medicine researchers discovered that realigning the Atlas vertebra with a chiropractic adjustment can lower blood pressure in people who have high blood pressure. The adjustments dropped blood pressure by the same amount as taking two blood pressure medications at once. Chiropractic adjustments, also called spinal manipulation, involve quick thrusts to the spine that realign the vertebra and restore normal function.

Less Inflammation

Chronic inflammation causes or contributes to a variety of health problems ranging from arthritis to heart disease to type 2 diabetes. Inflammation may make it easier for plaque to form in your blood vessels. The fatty, waxy substance clogs the vessels, decreases the amount of oxygen your tissues and organs receive, and may increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, kidney damage, vascular dementia and other health conditions.

Adjustments and other chiropractic treatments relieve inflammation naturally. In a study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, spinal manipulation treatments had a positive effect on key inflammatory markers in the body in patients with low back pain.

Improved Nervous System Function

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems help control your heart rate variability (HRV), the time between heartbeats. HRV varies naturally depending on your emotions and activity level. Your HRV is considered high if there are variations in the time between each heartbeat. If you have a low HRV, the time between heartbeats doesn't change much. A high HRV is a good sign and means that your heart can easily adapt to a variety of environments and circumstances. A low HRV may increase your risk of heart disease, inflammation, depression, obesity and other diseases and conditions.

Your nervous system may not work as well as it should if misaligned vertebrae or tight tissues press on the nerves, irritating them. Unfortunately, that might increase your risk of low HRV. Adjustments and other chiropractic treatments relieve pressure on the nerves, allowing them to function normally once again.

Better Lung Function

The heart and lungs together work together to keep your body healthy. The oxygen from the air you breathe passes from your lungs into your bloodstream. Every beat of your heart sends oxygenated blood to your organs and tissues. Your heart won't receive the oxygen needs if a misaligned vertebra presses on a nerve that serves the lungs.

Relieving pressure on the nerve with a chiropractic adjustment may improve lung function, which in turn helps keep your heart healthy. Treatments also loosen tight chest or back muscles that may be affecting your ability to take deep breaths.

Chiropractic care is a good option for anyone but may be particularly helpful if you have a condition that affects breathing, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Are you ready to enjoy the heart-healthy benefits of chiropractic? Get in touch with us to make an appointment.

Sources:

American Heart Association: Health Threats from High Blood Pressure, 3/4/2022

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What Is Atherosclerosis? 3/24/2022

NCBI: Journal of Chiropractic Medicine: Inflammatory Response Following a Short-Term Course of Chiropractic Treatment in Subjects with and Without Chronic Low Back Pain, 9/2010

UChicago Medicine: Special Chiropractic Adjustment Lowers Blood Pressure Among Hypertensive Patients with Misaligned C-1 Vertebra, 3/14/2007

Science Direct: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 5/2006

  • About Chiropractic Care
    • What is Chiropractic
    • How Does it Work
    • Who is Chiropractic For
    • Vertebral Subluxation
    • Wellness Resources
  • Common Conditions Treated
    • Auto Accident Injuries
    • Back and Shoulder Pain
    • Body Pain
    • Chronic Condition Relief
      • Conditions Affecting Women
      • Headaches
    • Herniated Discs
    • Improved Health
    • Pediatric Ailments
    • Repetitive Use Injuries
    • Respiratory Function
  • Health & Wellness
    • Healthy Thinking
      • Get Positive
      • Relaxation Techniques
    • Life in Motion
    • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
      • Treat Yourself Well
      • Treat Others Well
      • Eat Well
    • Wellness Essentials
      • At Home
      • At Work
      • Exercise
      • Nutrition
      • What You Wear
    • Wellness Perspectives
      • Mental
      • Spiritual
      • Social
      • Physical
  • Therapies & Techniques
    • Techniques
    • Therapies
  • Newsletter Library
    • Back, Body & Joint Pain
    • Healthy Tips
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Injury Rehab & Prevention
    • Kid's Health
    • Illness Prevention
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
    • Breaking Bad Habits
    • Senior Health
    • Weight Loss
    • Pregnancy & Parenting
    • Wellness
    • Mind-Body Connection
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Life-Work Balance
    • Staying Young
    • Staying Motivated
  • Wellness4Kids
No form settings found. Please configure it.

Featured Links

  • Services

    We are a wellness-oriented family practice utilizing Chiropractic Care, Massage Therapy, Nutrition & Digestion, Laser Therapy, and Active & Passive Rehabilitation Therapies.
    Learn More
  • Schedule a New Patient Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment with us today!

    Click Here
  • Online Forms

    Patient forms are available online!
    Click Here

Our 96th Street office is convenient to north Indianapolis, Nora, Carmel, and Zionsville.

Chiropractic Office Hours - Dr. Mary Jo Johnson

Monday:

10:30 am-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

10:30 am-5:30 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Chiropractic Office Hours- Dr. Steve Avitabile

Monday:

7:00 am-9:00 am

Tuesday:

7:00 am-9:00 am

Wednesday:

7:00 am-9:00 am

Thursday:

7:00 am-9:00 am

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Therapeutic Massage - Becky Troyer, CMT

Monday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

10:50 am-7:30 pm

Wednesday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

Closed

Friday:

Special appointment only.

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Therapeutic Massage-Sheryl Lanham, CMT

Monday:

9:40 am-6:40 pm

Tuesday:

9:40 am-6:40 pm

Wednesday:

9:40 am-6:40 pm

Thursday:

9:40 am-6:40 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Therapeutic Massage- Kriss Luckett-Ziesemer, CMT

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

Closed

Wednesday:

Closed

Thursday:

9:20 am-5:40 pm

Friday:

10:00 am-12:30 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Therapeutic Exercise- Savannah Fisher, MSK

Monday:

10:30 am-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 pm-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

10:30 am-5:30 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonials

Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "Thank you Dr. Johnson - your gentle and holistic approach to chiropractic care and wellness is greatly appreciated. Your work and that of your wellness team is among the best!"
    R. D.

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

  • September Newsletter: Chiropractic Care for Tendinitis

    Not sure what to do about tendinitis pain? Call your chiropractor! ...

    Read More
  • September Newsletter: How Your Chiropractor Can Help with Chronic Pain

    Tired of living with chronic pain? Find out if chiropractic car can help. ...

    Read More
  • August Newsletter: Text Neck Syndrome: How Your Chiropractor Can Help

    Does your neck hurt when you use your cellphone? You could have text neck, one of the many conditions chiropractors treat. ...

    Read More
  • August Newsletter: Chiropractic Care for Autoimmune Diseases

    Having trouble coping with autoimmune disease symptoms? Give your chiropractor a call. ...

    Read More
  • July Newsletter: How Your Chiropractor Can Help Relieve Migraines

    Wondering if chiropractic treatment could ease your migraine pain? ...

    Read More
  • July Newsletter: How Chiropractic Care Can Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

    Could a visit to the chiropractor relieve your painful carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms? ...

    Read More
  • June Newsletter: Chiropractic Care for Whiplash

    Suffering from whiplash? Chiropractic care could ease your neck pain. ...

    Read More
  • June Newsletter: How Your Chiropractor Can Help with Knee Pain

    Have you considered chiropractic care for your knee pain? ...

    Read More
  • May Newsletter: Your Chiropractor Can Help You Recover from Sports Injuries

    Suffering from a sports injury? Find out how chiropractic can help. ...

    Read More
  • May Newsletter: Is Your Spine Ready for Summer?

    Would you like to avoid back pain this summer? ...

    Read More

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Sign up for more articles

Follow Us

  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map