New Research on Cholesterol Levels & Chiropractic

Recent research reported in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, describes a patient with high cholesterol and reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in managing these patients.  The literature included supports the role of chiropractic in those suffering from related health challenges and calls for more research in this area.

CLICK HERE to review the research 

“Research is revealing that structural shifts in spinal alignment and the nerve obstruction they cause may be a factor in a number of disorders and can result in a host of health problems like high cholesterol because the body’s homeostatic mechanism is thrown off” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study.  

McCoy added “If you damage or compress or otherwise interfere with the neurological structures in the spine this can have far reaching implications on the functioning of the body. Through research reports like this we are finding that correcting the structural abnormalities associated with these spinal problems reduces nerve obstructions and people experience improvement. In this study it was improvement in cholesterol levels which may ultimately lessen the risk for cardiovascular disease.” 

“Finding the cause of the cardiovascular disease and reducing those risks is a much better strategy” according to McCoy.  One such risk is thought to be spinal misalignments and/or abnormal motion of the spine, termed vertebral subluxations by chiropractors, which result in structural and neurological interference to the spine and nerve system. It is this interference that may cause a cascade of neuroendocrine events that lead to abnormal cholesterol metabolism. The theory is that once those spinal distortions are corrected the body is better able to balance its physiology. 

According to researchers the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function. 

The 63-year-old female reported on in the study had high cholesterol and high blood pressure.  She also had right hip and leg pain, head and neck aches, arthritis, and gout.  She was on several medications for her blood pressure.  

The chiropractor examined her and found structural shifts in her neck and low back.    Decreased range of motion was noted in her neck and low back along with trigger points in neck and upper back muscles.  X-rays confirmed these findings.  These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. 

Following chiropractic care, her cholesterol levels normalized.  Her follow up laboratory work showed improvement in her total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides.  She also reported improvement in her other symptoms.  

The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.

Contact Information: 

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research
https://www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com/vertebral-subluxation-research-1/
support@vertebralsubluxationresearch.com