Answering to Asthma

According to the fairy tale The Three Little Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf huffed and puffed and blew down two houses before being stumped by a house made of bricks. If only our lung capacity was as powerful as the story suggests. The truth is that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that some 20 million people actually suffer from asthma, which means that not only can they not tip over houses made of straw and sticks, but they may strain to take even the simplest of breaths.

Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of inherited risks for the disease as well as interaction with allergens in the environment. People who have asthma suffer from muscle constriction and inflammation around the airways. This constriction and inflammation can result in wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Many people do not realize they have asthma; and just because symptoms go away, the condition does not. It may be caused by any number of triggers including strenuous physical exercise, certain medications, bad weather and some food additives. Reducing exposure to these and other potential asthma triggers such as ragweed, cut grass, dust mites, cigarette smoke, strong fumes and pet dander can help keep asthma at bay.

Asthma, like many medical conditions, is controlled through the use of prescription drugs. Diagnosis can be expensive and paying for medications including inhalers, nebulizers and steroids can add up quickly. For this disease, common medications come in two types—quick relief and long-term control. This isn’t treating asthma; it’s simply masking an issue with a drug.

Upper cervical chiropractic care, which is both non-invasive and requires no prescription medication, has been shown to help mitigate the debilitating effects of asthma. In a study conducted by Dr. Ray Hayek, asthma patients who underwent spinal manipulation had a drastic decrease in asthma symptoms and showed signs that, even after treatment had ceased, patients’ long-term wellness had increased. The lungs and diaphragm, which are responsible for breathing, are controlled by the nervous system. If there is a subluxation, the respiratory system cannot function properly. Correcting any misalignment literally lets people breathe easier.

This is good news for those who suffer from asthma. A reliance on medication and the knowledge that the next attack could be just minutes away may leave many feeling fearful of owning a pet, playing their favorite sport and goofing around with the kids in the backyard. Addressing asthma as part of a holistic wellness regimen that may include upper cervical chiropractic care, massage and other non-invasive therapies allows the body to manage the condition on its own terms.

The Specific Chiropractic Center invites you to our monthly health and wellness lecture series Wednesday, March 28^th, 6:30pm. Come learn about the options for managing your asthma.

RESOURCES

Asthma – Basic Information. CDC.gov. (October 20, 2009) Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/faqs.htm.

Asthma symptom relief with chiropractic care. KidsChiropractor.net. (January 5, 2010) Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://kidschiropractor.net/2010/01/05/asthma-symptom-relief-with-chiropractic-care/.
Asthma Treatment. ChiroCommunity.com. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://chirocommunity.com/asthma.htm.