The role of chiropractic care is to alleviate pain and keep your body working properly. A chiropractic adjustment, or spinal manipulation, is done to balance your body and encourage self-healing. While chiropractic care alone will not prevent a myocardial infarction, connections exist between the two. Do not rely on a chiropractor to improve your heart health, but ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of spinal manipulation.
Chiropractic Care
A chiropractor treats lower back or neck pain by manipulating your spine through various movements. The goal with chiropractic care is to move a joint past the usual range of motion, but not past what your body is capable of. A spinal adjustment might cause a popping sound as the chiropractor manipulates a specific joint. MayoClinic.com reports that chiropractic care might provide mild relief from lower back pain. When you see your chiropractor on a regular basis, your heart health might benefit as well.
Myocardial Infarction
A myocardial infarction is a heart attack. A myocardial infarction happens when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to a coronary artery. A disruption in blood flow can lead to damage of your heart muscle. A heart attack can also be fatal. The symptoms of a myocardial infarction can mimic other health problems, such as back pain or indigestion, which can delay treatment. The most common symptoms of a myocardial infarction include chest pressure, upper body pain, shortness of breath, and nausea. Women might also experience abdominal pain, clammy skin or fatigue.
Connections
Back pain can be a symptom of a heart attack. When you visit a chiropractor, you will likely experience a temporary reduction in back pain. If you do not, contact your doctor immediately. The "Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association" reports that back pain alone might not be a red flag that you are having a heart attack, especially if you are female. Back pain might prompt you to see your chiropractor rather than your doctor. High blood pressure is also associated with myocardial infarction. Both the "Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics" and the "Journal of Human Hypertension" note that blood pressure decreases slightly following a chiropractic treatment. Regular chiropractic visits might have a similar effect for you.
Considerations
Do not rely on chiropractic treatment alone to prevent a myocardial infarction. While research suggests that chiropractic care might help reduce your blood pressure, it does not prevent heart attack on its own. Speak with your doctor about the benefits and risks of chiropractic care before making an appointment. A healthy diet and plenty of exercise are more likely to reduce your myocardial infarction risk. If you are overweight or obese, smoke, eat a poor diet, have diabetes, experience chronic stress or have a family history of heart disease, you might be at an increased risk for a myocardial infarction. Ask your doctor about lifestyle changes and medication that can help reduce your risk.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Chiropractic Adjustment
- MayoClinic.com: Heart Attack
- Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association: Patient with Signs and Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction Presenting to a Chiropractice Office: A Case Report
- Journal of Human Hypertension: Atlas Vertebra Realignment and Achievement of Arterial Pressure Goal in Hypertensive Patients: A Pilot Study
- Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics: Practice-based Randomized Controlled-Comparison Clinical Trial of Chiropractic Adjustments and Brief Massage Treatment at Sites of Subluxation in Subjects With Essential Hypertension: Pilot Study
