Health & Fitness
Chiropractic Care for Allergies?
Learn how chiropractic care can help people with allergies.
Most of us don't go running to a chiropractor when allergy season rolls around. In fact, most people don't probably understand the profound role chiropractic can have on helping allergies resolve.
Allergies are a reaction of the body's immune system to a foreign object or substance. Our immune systems are designed to protect us from infections and foreign invaders. When we sneeze we are doing so in response to a potentially harmful objects or substances. Common ones include dust, cat hair, or pollen (especially this time of year).
Chiropractors are typically thought of as back pain or neck pain doctors. While it is true that chiropractors have a track record of assisting in those areas, the basic premise of chiropractic is that by reducing stress to the master control system of the body (the nervous system) the overall function of the body is improved.
Find out what's happening in Mendota Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A study from the University of California [1] found that signals from the nervous system also influence the function of the immune system. As our immune system works to dispel foreign contaminants that enter the body it releases a chemical called histamine in response to these contaminants.
In the case of allergies, these contaminants are known as allergens. The immune system essentially overreacts to them leading to the release of histamine and the resultant symptoms: itchiness, red eyes, hives, runny nose, and sneezing.
Find out what's happening in Mendota Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Traditionally, allergies are treated with the use of antihistamine medications that block this chemical and stop the allergy symptoms. However, the safety of this medication is under debate. Findings suggest the long-term use of antihistamines or when used in combination with other medication may cause cancer. A study conducted in lab rats with brand name anti-allergy medication found that cancerous tumors in the rats grew much father with the intake of antihistamines [2].
Chiropractors work to restore health to the body by first restoring balance to the framework of the body. Distortions of the spine affect the health of the body by irritating or stressing the nerves that transmit communication from the brain to the body.
Chiropractors are trained to detect and correct these distortions or misalignments. By aligning the spine, which houses the master control system of the body, optimal function can be restored to the immune system. Reducing the stress on the immune system allows for a more normal reaction in the presence of allergens and improves the quality of life of the allergy sufferer!
[1] Goetzl EJ, Voice JK, Shen S, Dorsam G, Kong Y, West KM, Morrison CF, Harmar AJ., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 Nov 20;98(24):13854-9. Epub 2001 Nov 6.[2] Brandes LJ, Simons KJ, Bracken SP, Warrington RC., J Clin Oncol. 1994 Jun;12(6):1281-90.