CHIROPRACTIC MANAGEMENT OF A HYPERTENSIVE PATIENT

Objective: Although many chiropractors may treat patients who have con comitant hypertensive disease, there is a paucity of literature on the nuances of case management for these patients. We report a patient wh o underwent a course of chiropractic care with a previous diagnosis of chronic essential hypertension.Clinical Features: A 38-yr-old male pr esented for chiropractic care with complaints of hypertension, drug-re lated side effects and lower back pain. He was also receiving concurre nt medical care for his hypertension. Intervention and Outcome: The pa tient received specific contact, short lever arm spinal adjustments as the primary mode of chiropractic care. During the course of chiroprac tic treatment, the patient's need for hypertensive medication was redu ced. The patient's medical physician gradually withdrew the medication over 2 months. Conclusion: Specific contact short lever arm spinal ad justments may cause a hypotensive effect in a medicated hypertensive p atient that may lead to complications (e.g., hypotension). Since a med icated hypertensive patient's blood pressure may fall below normal whi le he or she is undergoing chiropractic care, it is advised that the b lood pressure be closely monitored and medications adjusted, if necess ary, by the patient's medical physician.