The flowers are blooming as the temperature is warming up in the Bay Area. This is the time where majority of us are either:
1) Out and about enjoying the sun
2) Hiding away because of the allergies and pollen we try to avoid because of allergies
The body is smart when it comes to protecting you. Whether we like the sniffles or the congestion, it happens because our body is trying to guard and protect itself from foreign matter that is either overwhelming or trapping it from entering into our system.
According to the CDC, 1 in 12 people have asthma and it's increasing year every year and on the other end, allergies and hay fever totals up to an estimate number of 12 million physician office visits.
Now the question is, if it's normal for the body to react this way, what can we do to make sure we have the right support for the body to do what it needs to do if it happens every year?
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
The close relationship between the nervous system and immune system is good news for chiropractic patients. By improving the communication between the brain and spinal cord, chiropractic care can help regulate and coordinate the body’s reaction to allergens.
A doctor of chiropractic can:
Strengthen the immune system.
Misalignments in the spine—particularly the neck—can disrupt the brain’s lines of communication with the rest of the body. Irritation in the upper cervical joint, for example, may compromise immunity and amplify allergic symptoms. By manipulating the joints and soft tissue, a chiropractor can restore the body’s alignment and re-open essential pathways between the brain and spine.
Regulate stress hormones. Many allergy sufferers also have weakened adrenal glands, which means their bodies have a harder time moderating allergic reactions. Since the adrenal glands are fed directly by spinal nerves, a properly aligned spine can help regulate the amount of cortisol the body produces. This can help mitigate the severity of allergy symptoms.
Support the respiratory system. Like the immune system, the respiratory system depends on an unimpeded flow of information to and from the brain. Chiropractic care keeps the pathways open, fortifying the respiratory system to better withstand allergic attacks.
Recommend dietary and lifestyle changes. Certain foods and other factors in the environment can either ease or exacerbate allergy symptoms. A doctor of chiropractic can recommend changes that boost the patient’s health and comfort.
By improving communication between the immune, nervous and respiratory systems, chiropractic care can help patients weather allergy season—without relying on medications.
Adapted from Palmer College of Chiropractic
So what can this look like?
According to a research following 7 year old who suffered from chronic colds, allergies and asthma since 5 months old. He was on a maintenance dose of medications (Alavert and Albuterol). Due to his symptoms, he would have monthly visits to his medical doctor.
After starting chiropractic care within the first 5 months, he had not missed any days of school due to his symptoms. The conclusion to this case report "provides supporting evidence that chiropractic care can help balance immune system functioning and relieve asthma symptoms as well as colds and allergies. It is recommended that further research be done on this subject to support the findings of this case study."
Chiropractic Care of a Pediatric Patient with Asthma, Allergies, Chronic Colds & Vertebral Subluxation Joel Alcantara, BSc, D.C.; Laura Van Roo, D.C. and Rosemary E. Oman, Msc, FASBE, DC Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic ~ Volume 2009 ~ Issue 3 ~ Pages 1-7. August 17, 2009
Have questions on your child's allergies or health? Feel free to contact us here: info@andromedawellness.com and we can see how we can help.
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