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Did you know that the yearly combined economic cost of asthma amongst Singaporeans is SGD 2.09 billion, with productivity losses accounting for 79% of this cost?
Fortunately, Chiropractic care can be an alternative treatment approach for asthma sufferers to inhalers and long-term asthma control medications.
But is seeing a Chiropractor for asthma safe?
After all, Chiropractic treatment is all about neck pain and cracking and popping bones, right?
Asthma patients who come to us at Vitality Chiropractic Centres often have the same question.
To help clear up this confusion, we’re laying down the facts behind the safety of using Chiropractic treatment for asthma, why it can work, and what it can do to alleviate asthma symptoms.
What is asthma, and why does it happen?
Asthma is a chronic and life-limiting condition that affects the airways (bronchial tubes) of the lungs.
It causes breathing to become difficult, which often triggers coughing, wheezing, and other breathing problems.
Asthma attacks happen from being exposed to irritants and other substances. In response, the sides of the airways enlarge and contract, the lungs receive less air, and the mucus that the body produces clogs up the airways.
Asthma symptoms
- Wheezing, coughing, and chest pains
- Coughing at night, when laughing, or during exercise
- Fatigue and trouble sleeping
- Frequent infections
Causes and triggers of asthma
While no single cause for asthma has been identified, there are plenty of triggers known to usher in asthma attacks.
Possible causes of asthma symptoms
- Genetics
- Childhood history of severe viral infections
- Hygiene hypothesis (when babies are not exposed to enough bacteria during infancy, their immune systems don’t develop enough to effectively combat asthma)
Typical triggers for asthma symptoms
- Allergens and other environmental irritants
- Respiratory infections
- Extreme weather conditions
- Certain medications such as aspirin and NSAIDs
- Exercise
- Intense emotions
What are the common treatments for asthma?
Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be managed and controlled (disease control).
Treatments for asthma depend on your age, asthma severity, asthma type, and your triggers.
- quick-relief medications such as Bronchodilators with an inhaler (rescue) or nebuliser
- long-term control medications such as corticosteroids and anti-inflammatories
- a mix of drugs for immediate relief and long-term control
- biologic medicines for severe asthma that don’t respond to other medications
Can Chiropractic care manage asthma symptoms?
While traditional medical therapy for asthma is effective, they are only a temporary fix.
Inhalers must be used often to control an attack once it is already happening. Medications, on the other hand, only work to mask the symptoms of asthma.
Chiropractic care addresses the underlying issue so asthmatics can live a higher quality of life without constantly carrying an inhaler or medication.
Why Chiropractic treatment for asthma works
Understanding the relationship between the spine, specifically the cervical curve, and the respiratory system is crucial to understanding how Chiropractic care benefits asthma sufferers.
Nerves that control each breath leave your brain and exit in the cervical curve of your spine (neck). This area of the spine contains nervous system control centres in the spinal cord, close to the brain stem. Regulatory centres for breathing reside here in the ventrolateral medulla (VLM).
Any misalignment in this section of the spine irritates the nerves, affecting the diaphragm, restricting respiratory function and, thus, making it difficult for your lungs to expand fully.
Chiropractic adjustments work by correcting these spinal misalignments restoring normal function to the nervous system.
As a result of Chiropractic care, the nervous system’s function is restored, helping your lungs and diaphragm work more effectively.
So since Chiropractic treatment does involve spinal manipulations, is it safe?
Yes, Chiropractic care is safe. There are no specific risks associated with Chiropractic adjustments.
In fact, asthma and Chiropractic spinal manipulation has a long history as a non-invasive and medication-free intervention, perfectly safe for children suffering from chronic pediatric asthma.
Results from the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research that studied 81 children who received Chiropractic care showed that the number of asthma attacks and patient rated asthma severity among them decreased by 45% after two months.
Needless to say, working with an experienced and well-vetted Chiropractor is a significant factor in getting optimal results.
However, there are limitations to using Chiropractic care for asthma symptoms.
A systematic review of the evidence suggests Chiropractic care is not a replacement for current asthma treatments. Instead, this complementary and alternative medicine must be used in conjunction with traditional medical therapy.
What are the benefits of Chiropractic care for asthmatic patients?
Aside from relieving asthma symptoms, asthma patients can reap many long-term benefits with continued Chiropractic care.
Reduced inflammation and more robust immune system response
Your body experiences unnecessary stress when the spine is not correctly positioned.
And since the nervous system directly impacts the immune system, stress can weaken the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight off infections.
Through Chiropractic spinal manipulation, your Chiropractor can start a chain reaction that can strengthen your immune system and lessen the likelihood of asthma attacks.
Fewer attacks
Sustained Chiropractic care will cause your spine to eventually align, enhancing lung function and preventing the likelihood of future asthma attacks.
Improved airflow
With regular Chiropractic adjustments, your diaphragm and airway can move more freely, improving breathing and even reducing neck pain.
It's time to get to the root cause of your suffering with Chiropractic care.
At Vitality Chiropractic Centres, our mission has always been to give our patients their lives back.
This means no shortcuts, only long-term solutions from our well-trained doctors and scientifically proven Chiropractic techniques that promote a high-quality life. We start with a systematic review of your history, physical assessment and nerve scans before starting Chiropractic treatment.
We utilise state-of-the-art equipment and the most scientific tests in the country to make sure you get accurate diagnoses and Chiropractic interventions for your condition.
Are you ready to get your life back? Book an appointment with us today!
