Heart Health and Chiropractic in La Crosse WI

Your spine may not be the first thing you think about in relation to your heart, but it warrants some consideration.  Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.  Many times, the first sign of a heart attack is the heart attack itself.  This is an important organ, and it deserves some care.

There is a connection between heart health and chiropractic in La Crosse WI. The heart has many connections to the spinal cord through nerves that enter and exit through the spine.  Misalignment/subluxation in certain areas of the spine interferes with those nerves and the signals sent to and from the heart.  “Heart attacks are often brought on by spasms in the spinal column,” says Dr. Paul Sherwood, a cardiologist.  Dr. Wayne Gallagher of The Heart MD Institute states, “The majority of these heart disease cases involve spinal mechanical problems and are not due to loss of blood supply to the heart because of coronary artery problems.  The vertebrae in the spine may be misaligned and locked, affecting the nerves so that the chest wall starts to tighten.”

How Adjustments Help in La Crosse WI

Regular adjustments allow the spine to function properly and keep the communication between the brain and the body clear.  Regular adjustments also allow the joints to move properly and decrease the chance of degeneration that happens when joints are misaligned.   “Marked height loss in older men, often due to degenerative changes in bones, muscles, and joints, is independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and coronary heart disease”, said Arch Internal Med in Dec 2006.

Not only is the spine related to the heart, but it can be connected to things like heartburn/acid reflux, certain chest pains, high blood pressure, or trouble taking a deep breath.  In 2007, The Journal Of Neuroscience stated that “A link between the muscles in the neck, blood pressure and heart rate has long been suspected.  Researchers have found a direct neural connection between these neck muscles and a part of the brain stem called the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), which plays a crucial role in regulating heart rate and blood pressure.”  Many times we see blood pressure decrease after a cervical spine adjustment.

Tightness in the upper and mid back may be a sign that your spine is out of alignment, but more often misalignments come with no symptoms.  Making sure your spine is functioning properly is essential to your overall health, including your heart!

Give us a call today to schedule your appointment!