Nearly 40 million Americans, thatīs 25% of the total population, suffer with asthma and other allergy diseases. In an asthma attack the child or adult, respond similarly with severe congestion, swelling and other allergic type reactions in response to various irritants. As the reaction progresses, breathing becomes more difficult and in some cases life threatening. The bronchioles swell with mucous, and go into spasm. This closes the airways and causes the asthmatic to wheeze and gasp for air.
THE PROBLEM
Although the traditional methods for controlling asthma and allergies are numerous, sickness and death from asthma appear to be increasing. The New England Journal of Medicine stated in February of 1992, that this trend is at least partially due to side-effects from regular use of inhaled medications. These medications usually include steroids. This is of great concern to many parents.
A NEW APPROACH
Lung volumes were measured in 50 patients presenting with complaints. Post treatment forced vital capacity (FVC) was found to be greater than pre-treatment. Post-treatment forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1) was found to be greater than pre-treatment (FEV-1). FVC and FEV-1 both improved significantly in asthmatic patients under chiropractic care. 76.5% of patients with bronchial asthma said they benefited from chiropractic treatment. Peak flow rate and vital capacity increased after the third treatment. Over the course of the study, non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity (n-BR) improved by 36% (P=0.01) and patient-rated asthma severity decreased by 34% (P=0.0002) compared with the baseline values. Mobility and kyphosis of the thoracic spine were correlated with lung function in 185 men and 87 women not suffering from respiratory disease. Mobility of the thoracic spine was shown to directly effect respiratory function. Significantly lower quality of life impairment rating scores were reported for 90.1% of children after 60 days of chiropractic care. During this same time of period the average number of asthma attacks decreased and average of 66.5%.
Among parents of asthmatic children who had received chiropractic treatment, 92% considered this treatment beneficial. Alternative treatment was more frequent among children from higher social classes. A tendency was observed towards less satisfaction with medical treatment, information and general guidance concerning the illness among families who sought alternative treatment. Patients with juvenile onset asthma are most likely to obtain a perceived benefit from chiropractic spinal adjustments. Patients reported improvement after an average of five treatments over a one-month period of time.
There is ample research documenting the intimate connection between the spinal column, the nervous system, and the respiratory system. Vertebral subluxations in the neck and upper back can produce associated muscles spasms, which cause a restriction and stasis of the lymphatic drainage from the head and neck. As a result the body is unable to ash out the bacteria, mold and foreign material to which it is exposed. As this vital process is slowed, the phagocytic activity within the lymphatic chain (drainage of mold, bacteria, etc.) is interrupted and invasion of the offending allergin multiplies and causes an allergic reaction.
Chiropractic adjustments in many cases will produce immediate relaxation of the neck musculature, which was obstructing the lymphatic (neck) drainage. If the lymphatic system is able to wash the offending allergin out before it causes an allergic response fewer symptoms are experienced. The adjustments improve respiratory function by restoring normal nerve function, which in turn may result in symptomatic improvement in bronchitis, and asthma. In several studies researchers found spinal adjustments to give superior respiratory function and chest mobility when compare to conventional medical bronchodilators, expectorants, and corticosteroids. Various symptoms of abnormal respiratory function may improve clinically with chiropractic adjustments.
NERVE CONTROL
The primary muscle for breathing is the diaphragm. It is actually composed of two muscles, the left and right hemidiaphragms, which separate the chest and abdominal cavities. A special nerve from the neck called the phrenic nerve powers the diaphragm. If the nerve supply is interfered with, such as in a subluxation in the neck, the diaphragm weakens and breathing becomes impaired. Additional muscles assist the diaphragm during a period of increased breathing effort, such as exercise or severe respiratory illness, all of these muscles must have nerve supply to work. Sublimations interfering with normal nerve supply can cause muscular imbalances leading to a weaker respiratory tract. Restoring nerve supply by correcting vertebral subluxations not only improves muscle tone but actually aids in overall body function, especially the immune response.
CHIROPRACTIC IS SAFE AND NATURAL
The chiropractic approach to health care is natural, in that it does not try to stimulate or inhibit normal body function. Instead, the chiropractor realizes the importance of the nervous system in the healing process. A study, which reviewed the life of 115 families with children, aged 0-7 years, suffering from various health problems, concluded abnormal body function, may be cause by subluxations. The nervous system controls and coordinates every function in the entire body. Children should have their spines checked for vertebral subluxations at birth and throughout childhood. Your chiropractor may be the best doctor to help you and your child improve in overall health.
