Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) known for its ability to relieve pain, reduce fever, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits. It has also gained popularity as a preventive measure for cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. However, mounting evidence suggests that long-term or daily aspirin use can pose significant risks, including gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhagic stroke, and kidney damage. As the dangers of daily aspirin use are increasingly recognized, there is a growing interest in alternative approaches for managing health conditions, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing.
Chiropractic care in Phoenix AZ is a holistic health practice that focuses on the spine and nervous system, offering an alternative or complementary method of addressing pain, inflammation, and overall wellness. This article will review the dangers of daily aspirin use and explore how chiropractic care can contribute to the body’s natural healing processes without the risks associated with pharmaceuticals.
Aspirin’s Mechanism of Action and its Risks in in Phoenix AZ
Aspirin is widely used for its antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory properties. By inhibiting the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzyme, aspirin prevents the formation of thromboxane A2, which is involved in platelet aggregation and clot formation. While this mechanism helps prevent cardiovascular events, particularly in individuals with a history of heart disease, it also interferes with other physiological processes that protect the stomach lining, promote blood clotting, and support kidney function.
Emerging evidence suggests that the risks of daily aspirin use can outweigh the benefits, particularly for individuals using it for primary prevention—those without a prior history of cardiovascular disease.
Key Risks of Daily Aspirin Use
- Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding: Aspirin inhibits prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining, making the GI tract vulnerable to ulcers and bleeding. Studies show that low-dose aspirin increases the risk of GI bleeding by 60%, with elderly patients at particular risk of major bleeding episodes (Sutcliffe et al., 2013).
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: Aspirin’s effect on reducing platelet aggregation can increase the risk of bleeding in the brain, leading to hemorrhagic stroke. Research indicates a 32% increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke in individuals taking aspirin regularly (Huang et al., 2016).
- Kidney Damage: Prolonged aspirin use can negatively affect kidney function by reducing blood flow to the kidneys, exacerbating existing kidney conditions or increasing the risk of kidney injury in susceptible individuals.
- Increased Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Some studies have suggested that long-term aspirin use may increase the risk of developing AMD, a major cause of blindness in older adults (Chew et al., 2013).
Given these risks, patients and healthcare providers are increasingly exploring alternatives for managing inflammation and promoting cardiovascular health without the adverse effects associated with daily aspirin use. Chiropractic care offers one such alternative, focusing on optimizing the body’s natural healing abilities.
Chiropractic Care and the Body’s Natural Healing Processes
Chiropractic care is based on the principle that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself, particularly when the nervous system and musculoskeletal system are functioning optimally. Chiropractors focus on the alignment of the spine, which plays a key role in the overall health of the nervous system. Spinal misalignments, or subluxations, can interfere with nerve function, leading to pain, inflammation, and dysfunction in other parts of the body. By addressing these misalignments, chiropractic care can help restore balance, reduce inflammation, and promote natural healing.
1. Reducing Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a common factor in many health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal pain, and autoimmune disorders. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to reduce inflammation by improving nervous system function and decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) found that chiropractic adjustments reduced inflammatory markers in patients with musculoskeletal pain, suggesting a broader impact on systemic inflammation.
By restoring proper spinal alignment, chiropractic care helps relieve mechanical stress on the body’s tissues and joints, reducing chronic inflammation that can contribute to pain and disease. Unlike aspirin, which merely suppresses symptoms, chiropractic care addresses the underlying causes of inflammation and facilitates the body’s natural healing response.
2. Improving Nervous System Function
The nervous system controls and coordinates every function in the body, including healing and repair processes. Spinal misalignments can interfere with nerve signals, leading to dysfunction in organs, muscles, and tissues. Chiropractic adjustments help to remove these interferences, allowing the nervous system to function more efficiently. When the nervous system is functioning optimally, the body can better regulate healing, repair damaged tissues, and restore balance.
Research has demonstrated the link between chiropractic care and improved nervous system function, particularly in relation to pain perception, mobility, and overall health. A well-functioning nervous system enhances the body’s ability to adapt to stress, reduce inflammation, and heal more effectively after injury.
3. Enhancing Blood Flow and Circulation
Proper blood flow is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs, as well as for removing waste products. Spinal adjustments can improve blood flow by relieving pressure on blood vessels and reducing muscular tension. Improved circulation supports the body’s healing processes by facilitating the delivery of essential nutrients to damaged tissues and reducing inflammation.
Aspirin’s anticoagulant effects reduce the risk of blood clots but also increase the risk of bleeding complications. Chiropractic care, on the other hand, promotes healthy circulation without the side effects associated with blood-thinning medications.
Integrating Chiropractic Care with a Holistic Approach to Health
While chiropractic care is highly effective in promoting healing and reducing pain, it is most beneficial when integrated into a broader holistic approach to health. Lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, managing stress, and practicing mindfulness, complement chiropractic care and enhance the body’s natural healing abilities. For individuals concerned about the risks of daily aspirin use, adopting a holistic approach that includes chiropractic care offers a safe and effective path to health and wellness.
The dangers of daily aspirin use, particularly for primary prevention, are becoming increasingly clear as new research highlights the risks of gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhagic stroke, kidney damage, and other complications. For those seeking alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions, chiropractic care offers a promising approach to managing pain, reducing inflammation, and promoting the body’s natural healing processes.
Chiropractic adjustments can improve nervous system function, enhance circulation, and support the body’s ability to heal without the side effects associated with daily aspirin use. By addressing the root causes of pain and inflammation, chiropractic care provides a holistic, drug-free solution that promotes long-term health and well-being. For patients and healthcare providers alike, considering chiropractic care as part of an integrated approach to managing chronic conditions and promoting overall health may reduce the need for potentially harmful medications and enhance the body’s capacity to heal naturally.
References
- Sutcliffe, P., Connock, M., Gurung, T., Freeman, K., Johnson, S., Kandala, N. B., … & Moxham, T. (2013). Aspirin in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis of the current evidence. PloS One, 8(12), e81970.
- Huang, W. Y., Saver, J. L., Wu, Y. L., Lin, C. J., Lee, M., Ovbiagele, B., & Chiou, H. Y. (2016). Association of aspirin use with risk of incident stroke in atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Stroke, 47(12), 2923-2932.
- Chew, E. Y., Clemons, T. E., Agrón, E., Sperduto, R. D., Sangiovanni, J. P., Davis, M. D., & Ferris III, F. L. (2013). Long-term effects of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc on age-related macular degeneration: AREDS Report No. 35. Ophthalmology, 120(8), 1604-1611.
- McNeil, J. J., Wolfe, R., Woods, R. L., Tonkin, A. M., Donnan, G. A., Nelson, M. R., … & Lockery, J. E. (2018). Effect of aspirin on disability-free survival in the healthy elderly. The New England Journal of Medicine, 379(16), 1499-1508.
- The Spine Journal Editors. (2014). Spinal manipulation for the treatment of acute and chronic low back pain: A comprehensive review. The Spine Journal, 14(1), 121-133.