With the spring season upon us, many parents will start to comment on the increase in the asthma symptoms their children are experiencing. Whether this is noticed more because of the increase in outdoor physical activities, or the seasonal plants and grasses appearing that most people attribute to asthma and allergies, the fact is asthma sufferers tend to dread this time of year. Fortunately, chiropractic can help. With recent research demonstrating the beneficial effects that spinal adjustments have on the immune and endocrine system, chiropractic treatment is a great way to naturally help manage bronchial distress. In fact several case studies and one trial study have indicated that with regular chiropractic care patients saw an increased ability to breathe during physical activity and had less need for their inhaler and other asthma medications (2). One study mentioned the participant, “Could run during soccer games and “almost never used his inhaler.” He also “slept more soundly” and “hardly ever had bouts with mucous clogged nasal passages” (2,3). A second study showed a 34-month-old boy with asthma who had not responded to medical care and had more than 20 emergency hospital visits in a 12 month period received three chiropractic adjustments administered over an 11 day period and the asthma symptoms ceased for more than 8 weeks (4). And a third case told a similar story of a three year old girl who began experiencing asthma symptoms after having a chronic history of colds and flu. She was taken to the emergency room on several occasions and eventually hospitalized over a 3 day period for her asthma. She used medication several times daily which included a nebulizer as well as a third medication for symptom onset. After her fifth adjustment her severe asthma ceased and she has been adjusted regularly there after for maintenance with no further episodes (5).
As can be seen by these cases, chiropractic can play a vital role in managing and preventing asthma effectively. Why is chiropractic so successful? According to one trial study, six weeks of direct chiropractic treatment reduced salivary cortisol levels, over a 14 week trial period as well as “decreased the erratic nature of IgA levels” (1). Both cortisol and IgA (immunoglobulin A), are substances in the body that have a big effect on responding to inflammation and fighting off infection. The study attributed these positive results to the body’s improved overall ability to function which in turn, allowed patients to better “ward off potential pathogenic invasion (or the like)…” (1). Because the spine surrounds and protects the nervous system, which in turn effects every vital system and organ in one’s body including the immune system and lung function, chiropractic adjustments are a gentle, yet powerful way of naturally aiding the body in self healing. If you are frustrated by asthma symptoms that prevent you from living your life or your child’s life, make an appointment to see us at Crossroads Chiropractic for a consult and exam.
1. Effect of Chiropractic Treatments on the Endocrine and Immune System in Asthmatic Patients: Proceedings of the 2002 International Conference on Spinal Manipulation, Toronto Ontario, Canada, Oct 2002: 57-8
2. Garde R. Chiropractic Pediatrics. Vol 1 No.3 Dec, 1994. Asthma and Chiropractic.
3. http://icpa4kids.org/Chiropractic-Research
4. Bachman TR, Lantz CA Proceedings of the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics (ICA), 1991: 14-22. Management of Pediatric Asthma and Enuresis with Probable Traumatic Etiology.
5. Asthma and Enuresis (Case Report #1374) Zell, Paul, ICPA Newsletter, May-June 1998