Chiropractic care can be an effective therapy for reducing and managing asthma symptoms including shortness of breath.
You may be wondering how chiropractic care works for asthma, how many sessions are recommended, and what it's going to cost. We're going to answer those questions and more. So let's get started...
How Chiropractic Care Works for Asthma
In 2015, over 11,5 million people, which includes 3 million children, had one or more asthma attacks.
Asthma has been declared one of the leading chronic diseases in children. More children suffer from this ailment than adults. It is more common in boys than in girls, and there are about 6 million children under the age of 18 suffering from asthma.
Several studies have identified the rising number of asthma cases is due to environmental variables such as mold, food preservatives, increased pollution, and even genetics, to mention a few.
In the 1980s, it was an unusual sight to see a child walk around with an inhaler. Today, it is not uncommon for several kids in a classroom to use inhalers for much-needed relief.
Asthma has grown to epidemic proportions. It is a huge problem for everyone and for generations to come. The present damning statistics are even set to increase in the upcoming years. Unfortunately, there is no cure for asthma, only ways to control the symptoms from becoming something larger and scarier.
The good news? Chiropractic care can reduce asthma symptoms in both adults and kids because poor spinal health often contributes to the onset of asthma.
If the natural posture of our body suffers, bringing about a slight to severe misalignment of the spine, even the slightest pressure on delicate nerves will wreak havoc in other parts of the body, which does not only manifest as pain, but also, impede the normal functioning of vital organs.
Routine, corrective chiropractic care will correct spinal misalignment. It will also increase nerve flow energy; thereby, restoring the functions of vital organs, including the heart, lungs, and digestive systems.
How Does Chiropractic Care Help Asthma?
Correct spinal alignment and a full-range spinal, joint, motion-support system ensure optimal functioning of the nervous system. The nervous system is the master control center of the body. A misalignment of the spine or poor movement can disrupt the body's ability to eliminate irritants that could cause serious health issues.
Chiropractors don't treat asthma. They look at the functioning of the spine as it affects the entire body. In a patient suffering from ailments like asthma, the chiropractor identifies the level of the spine associated with the structures involved.
For asthma, the chiropractor will check and adjust the thoracic spinal segments. This is because the nerves that exit this part of your spine innervate the lungs and bronchial tubes.
A misalignment in the thoracic spine, or an impediment such that it's not moving through its full range of motion, can disrupt the ability of the lungs to expand fully during inhalation.
Chiropractors, therefore, adjust the spine and restore full range of motion of the thoracic spine which helps the lungs take in as much air as possible. While the slight reduction in the movement may seem negligible, in asthma, all motion counts, no matter how small.
So yes, chiropractic can help with asthma. There are also four specific benefits of using chiropractic care for asthma.
4 Ways Asthma Can Benefit from Chiropractic Care
If you suffer from asthma, you will enjoy the four main benefits of chiropractic care as explained below:
1. Reduces the frequency of attacks
Regular corrective chiropractic care will correct spinal misalignment which helps asthma patients decrease the number of attacks over time. When a spine is correctly aligned, energy flows through the nerves, organs, and body systems. A non-aligned spine can disrupt energy flow through the nerve endings and trigger a host of health issues.
When the spine is not aligned, the lungs will suffer. Chiropractors treat the spine over time so that it aligns. This will help the lungs function optimally and decrease the occurrence of asthma attacks.
2. Helps stimulate air flow
The lungs are vital for breathing; also, the diaphragm and airway play a part. These two can be hindered by a misaligned spine.
When a chiropractor works to align the spine, the diaphragm and airways will move freely, which allows better flow of air. While this is not an asthma cure, the stimulation of the body air flow will alleviate the suffering a chronic condition brings.
3. Boosts the immune system
Asthma attacks are brought about and exacerbated by the body's low immune system. Chiropractic care will help increase the efficiency of the immune system.
In other words, the autonomic nervous system is linked to the body's immune system through the endocrine system. When there is a spine misalignment, it will affect the immune system.
If you suffer from asthmatic attacks, the chiropractor will align the spine to create a positive domino effect. This brings about an improvement in the nervous and immune systems functions, alleviating the asthma attack.
4. Works in conjunction with traditional asthma medication
Asthmatic patients often use steroids and inhalers to manage their symptoms. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive procedure which can work with these treatments to alleviate the severity of attacks.
A study by Michigan Chiropractic Council found that asthmatics who underwent 30 days of chiropractic treatments had a 70% reduction in medication.
Asthmatics who commit to chiropractic care can manage asthma symptoms naturally and reduce dependence on medications. There are many asthma treatments. If you do not respond well to traditional medications or look to reduce reliance on dosage, non-traditional measures like chiropractic care may be the answer.
How Effective is Chiropractic care for Asthma
According to a study published in Holland Medical Journal which involves a group of 115 families with asthmatic children; 73% of the study group utilized chiropractic care to treat asthma symptoms, and 92% of the families reported alleviation of asthma symptoms in their children.
According to the report of the Brisbane Asthma Study, chiropractic is the most consulted form of non-invasive, alternative health care, and about 29% of families having asthmatic children use chiropractic care to alleviate its symptoms. When compared to other types of alternative health care, chiropractic care received the highest satisfaction rate: 86.5%.
The medical journal of Australia found that 76.5% of patients with bronchial asthma claimed they benefited from chiropractic care. There was an increase in peak flow rate and vital capacity after the third session.
A report in the Chiropractic Research Journal which compared the wellbeing of 200 children utilizing chiropractic care to 200 other children utilizing conventional medical care. It reports that the group using chiropractic care had fewer allergies, ear infections, and cases of asthma and tonsillitis. The health of the chiropractic care group was significantly superior to the other group that did not receive care.
Number of Chiropractic Care Sessions Recommended
The first chiropractic care session will be for assessing your general health, physical condition, and medical history.
The second session will involve hands-on manipulation techniques focusing on the spine.
The chiropractor may offer other treatments and advice on lifestyle and diet. Sessions will typically last anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes.
The duration of your session will depend on the severity and type of symptoms. If your symptoms include persistent lower back pain, you may need up to nine sessions or more.
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