Asthma is a respiratory condition that affects 9 million children under the age of 18 in the U.S. It is the leading cause of school absences and is the most common chronic disease affecting children. Asthma can be aggravated by exposure to dust, pet dander, molds, pollens, cold air, engaging in physical activities or taking aspirin. Some of its symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. It is caused by irritation to the respiratory system, leading to inflammation of the airways and the increased production of mucus. Unfortunately, the prevalence of asthma is increasing each year.
Many factors can influence whether a child or adult develops asthma and its severity. Factors such as gestational age at birth, the baby’s birth weight, if the baby was breastfed, pets in the home, other siblings, if the child attended day-care, any other allergies, respiratory tract infections and many others.
It may come to the surprise of many that Chiropractic Adjustments can be extremely beneficial in managing the symptoms of asthma. Often times, patients with asthma will have recurring spinal misalignment in their neck and mid back especially. A chiropractic adjustment removes nerve interference in the body and allows it to function at its optimal level. Adjustments also stimulate the sympathetic nervous system which leads to a dilation (opening up) of the respiratory airways, helping the patient breathe more easily.
Chiropractic treatment plans for asthmatic patients are designed to be completely individual and vary based on patient response and associated factors. Many children and adults notice improvements in their breathing after very few adjustments, while others require a more aggressive treatment plan.
If you have asthma and would love a natural, gentle alternative, do not hesitate to give our office a call!