Allergies and Chiropractic

Ah ahh choo. . . As the weather starts to warm up we think about starting new sports, fresh cut grass and gardening. For some this may bring thoughts of a runny nose and red itchy eyes; allergies. What are allergies? Why does it happen and do I have to live with them? It all begins with the immune system that functions as the body's defense against invading agents. It mobilizes an attack when it encounters a foreign substance such as harmful bacteria or viruses or common things like pollens, mold spores, house dust mites, and animal dander. An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system misidentifies harmless foreign substances and reacts to them as if they were harmful. For some this could mean a runny nose or itchy eyes. For others it could be a blinding headache.

A person can be allergic to anything - even things that one would normally think of as beneficial to the body, such as foods, nutritional supplements, soaps, and other household products. You are not automatically allergic to specific allergens but can develop them based on several factors such specific genes acquired from parents, exposure to one or more allergens to which you have a genetically programmed response, and degree and length of exposure. Finding out what it is that makes your body react and removing it or decreasing your exposure to it can greatly improve your quality of life.

The environment we grow up in has a lot to do with how strong our immune systems can be. Generally, we are all exposed to the same pollen and ragweed that are usually called the "cause" of this seasonal or year long reaction. The difference between an individual that has an allergic reaction and someone that does not is their body's ability to adapt to the ever changing environment. Studies have shown kids raised in a household with pets are less likely to have allergies as they grow up. This could have something to do with the exposure to allergens at a young age which assists in the development of a strong immune system. The adaptability regulates the body's response to the influx of new allergens and controls the response. These messages are transferred back and forth in the body via the Central Nervous System. If the immune system and the nervous system are not communicating well the response of the immune system has a greater chance of responding incorrectly, thus producing and allergy.

Mental stress can make you physically weak and cause your body to wear out. When this happens, your immune system shuts down. No matter what you do if your body is not communicating properly, and the chances for a correct response is low. By restoring communication between your nervous system and your body, allergy symptoms can be minimized. This restoration is done through chiropractic which corrects subluxations in the spine and nervous system. A study in JMPT showed that chiropractic care and nasal specific techniques gave relief to patients suffering from sinusitis and headaches. Also, wheezing and lung function, two of the major afflictions with allergies, have been shown to improve following adjustments to the upper neck.

Chiropractors can get excellent results providing relief for many different patients. If you haven't given safe and effective chiropractic care a try, there is no reason to keep suffering any longer. We are specifically trained to work with your spine, nervous system, and all the nerves in you body. It is time to start enjoying life again.

By: Dr. Jill Aardema

By: Dr. Jill Aardema