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The effect of thoracic manipulation on blood pressure in pharmacologically stable patients with hypertension: a pilot investigation
Abstract   Peer reviewed

The effect of thoracic manipulation on blood pressure in pharmacologically stable patients with hypertension: a pilot investigation

J Morden, C Gosling and Melainie Cameron
Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, Vol.6(3), p.34
International Conference for Advances in Osteopathic Research (ICAOR), 4th (London, United Kingdom, 12-Apr-2003–13-Apr-2003)
2003
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1443-8461(03)80008-4
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https://doi.org/10.1016/S1443-8461(03)80008-4View
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Abstract

Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Introduction: To determine if repeated weekly HVLA manipulation to two areas of proposed increased spinal facilitation (T2-3 and T 11-12 joints) in pharmacologically stable patients with hypertension will decrease blood pressure. Design: The study was prospective eight-week trial of HVLA manipulative intervention on four participants with hypertension. HVLA manipulations were performed between weeks 2 and 5. Methods Intervention: A flexion gliding HVLA manipulation in a supine position to T2-3 and T 11-12 of the thoracic spine was administered once a week for four continuous weeks. Participants: Four participants, currently medically diagnosed with hypertension by a General Practitioner and talcing anti-hypertension medication, were recruited. The inclusion criteria for each participant also included a diastolic blood pressure equal to or greater than 90mmHg and stable pharmacologically over the two proceeding months. Outcome Measures: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, recorded using a digital sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure recordings were taken each week for eight weeks. Systolic and diastolic pressures were also recorded pre and post-manipulation in weeks two to five.Results: There were no significant changes in systolic (p = 0.176), diastolic (p = 0.672) and mean arterial (p = 0.295) blood pressure when comparing pre and post manipulation. Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure all showed similar trends of decrease during the manipulation phase (weeks 2-5) of the trial. These measures then showed signs of reversal once manipulation ceased. Conclusions: Long-term manipulation to areas of proposed increased thoracic spine facilitation (T2-3 and T11-12) in patients with hypertension may provide decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. No immediate changein blood pressure was noted after manipulation, possibly due to increased sympathetic facilitation. This study does demonstrate a potentially new way of managing hypertension in a patient population. This may be beneficial in people whose hypertension medication does not completely control their blood pressure. Further investigations involving larger sample sizes should be conducted to confirm these results.

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