Palmer begins significant study on chiropractic and hypertension

The Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research (PCCR) has undertaken a collaborative clinical trial to follow up on preliminary research indicating a specific form of chiropractic treatment can be effective in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients. This clinical trial involves 165 patients with high blood pressure and is called Chiropractic for Hypertension in Patients, or CHiP. Palmer is collaborating with Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami, Fla., and Trinity at Terrace Park Family Practice, Bettendorf, Iowa. Potential participants will be examined at the PCCR clinic facility and Trinity Terrace Park Family Practice Clinic to determine eligibility. If accepted into the study, participants will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups, each receiving care at the Palmer Research Clinic for eight weeks. Participants will have their blood pressure monitored on a regular basis during the study.

“This study has the potential for significant impact on the treatment of hypertension,” said Palmer’s Vice Chancellor for Research and Health Policy and CHiP Co-leader Christine Goertz, D.C., Ph.D. “More than 50 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure, and although many medical treatments for diagnosed hypertension are available, only about 30% of patients achieve blood pressure goals. Many patients report that they are unable to tolerate medication side effects and find it difficult to sustain lifestyle changes. Thus, a non-pharmacological treatment that lowers blood pressure could become an attractive option to many patients and their physicians.”