Regular neck massages can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease, research suggests.

Researchers from Leeds University found signals from the brain play a key role in helping the brain maintain blood pressure , heart rate and breathing when we change posture , for instance by standing up. When these signals stop - perhaps because the neck is stiff and not being moved - we can suffer from problems with blood pressure and balance.

The findings could explain research showing that easing pain by 'cracking' the neck lowers blood pressure.

Neck pain , often caused by stress , affects 1 in 10 Britons at any one time , with three-quarters of us suffering at some point in ours lives.

Writing in the Journal of Neuroscience , Professor Jim Deuchars said the breakthrough could also expalin why those with whiplash injuries can experience a change in blood pressure. 'This work also contributes to the understanding of postural hypotension - fainting which can be caused by standing up too fast' he added. 'The neck muscles could be part of the system which normally prevents this from happening by sending signals to the brain when the posture changes'

High blood pressure claims around 60,000 lives a year and is fast becoming more common as Britons work longer hours and eat more fatty & salty food.

the London School of Economics has warned that half of Britons could suffer from high blood pressure by 2025

( Article from The Daily Mail August 2nd 2007)