Asthma and Chiropractic

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that narrows the airways, making it difficult for the affected person to breathe properly. It can be a frustrating and stressful condition for children and adults alike, and while there is no "cure", many people receive temporary relief with the help of inhalers, steroids and other types of prescription drugs. Still, there may be more natural and less harmful alternative options available.

What Causes Asthma?

Asthma can be triggered by a number of environmental factors including weather conditions, high temperatures, very cold temperatures, high humidity and general allergies from cut grass, ragweed or pollen. Infections such as the flu or cold virus can also trigger asthma symptoms. Too much physical exertion which encourages heavy breathing often leads to an asthma attack, so sufferers must be careful with the types of exercises and sports they participate in. Dust and fumes in the home are other common triggers for asthma sufferers, so many sufferers need to keep their homes as free of dust and other irritants as much as possible.

Asthma Treatment Options

Currently, asthma sufferers use inhalers to ward off serious breathing problems when they feel an attack coming on, but depending on the frequency and severity of their attacks, they may also be required to take prescription drugs.

Some people experience tremendous relief from asthma symptoms after undergoing chiropractic care. Chiropractic works by restoring healthy nervous system functioning, which can affect the respiratory system. According to Dr. Ray Hayek who was involved with conducting trials on the effectiveness of chiropractic care for asthma in Australia, correcting spinal misalignments had a very positive effect on the asthma sufferers. The patient group displayed significant improvements in asthma symptoms, and also reduced their cortisol levels, which helped improve their health overall. The patients were monitored for the long-term, and results of the study showed that many experienced far fewer asthmatic attacks.

Effects of Chiropractic Care for Asthma

While some asthma sufferers report immediate results from chiropractic care, others may experience a more gradual recovery. An improvement in asthma symptoms may take several months. Light spinal adjustments and cervical adjustments may help some people improve asthma symptoms and reduce the frequency of asthma attacks.

While chiropractic care is often sought after for back pain, many medical professionals believe that chiropractic care can be used to improve symptoms related to various disorders and diseases. Improving nervous system functioning can help to increase overall well-being and promote healthy breathing.

Learn more about chiropractic care by contacting Live Well for Life Chiropractic @ (904) 425-8070 or visit us at www.livewellforlife.com