Tis the season for Allergy and Asthma flare ups. But it doesn’t have to be!
How Can a Chiropractor Help?
The strength of both the immune and respiratory systems depends largely on proper communication between the brain and spinal cord to control and coordinate their functions properly. When there are interruptions in this communication such as misalignments of the neck, immunity may be compromised. This irritation can exaggerate or even produce allergic and asthmatic symptoms. Through chiropractic adjustments a chiropractor can help restore alignment and open the necessary pathways of communication between the brain and spine.
In addition to promoting a stronger immune system, adjustments may also help regulate the rush of histamine and amount of cortisol produced during high allergy season. The majority of allergies involve release of inflammatory producing substances such as histamine. Adequate production of cortisol, an anti-inflammatory hormone produced by the adrenal gland is necessary to combat this. Understandably, many allergy sufferers are also found to have weak adrenal gland function. What many do not realize is that the adrenal gland is fed directly by the T9 spinal level nerve root, meaning once again, that spinal misalignments can greatly impact allergic reactions. By helping to maintain balance and regulation of important allergy-fighting hormones, a chiropractor can help allergy sufferers find relief and lessen reliance on anti-histamines.
Along with spinal adjustments, chiropractors typically offer helpful lifestyle and nutritional advice to patients based on their specific needs. Chiropractic is a holistic method of medicine which recognizes that the human body is healthier and functions at a higher level when all aspects of health are taken into account, including physical, nutritional, and environmental. For allergy sufferers, certain foods and environmental factors may improve or worsen their symptoms. A chiropractor can help you determine lifestyle and dietary changes that may serve to lessen allergy symptoms and improve overall comfort and health.
A lack of Vitamin D will also weaken the immune system. That cold you have been fighting could be related to a low Vitamin D level. We need to take at least 10 times the recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin D (35 IU/lb of body weight, 4-6,000 IU/day for most adults) to help our immune systems fight off viruses we come in contact with on a daily basis. Vitamin D can be taken in pill form but a better, more convenient form is available in liquid drops. As a convenience to our patients we sell several high quality vitamin supplements. The Vitamin D supplement we recommends is Bio-D Mulsion Forte. This is a Vitamin D drop that provides 2000 IU in each drop. Each bottle contains 750 drops. It is recommended to take up to three drops daily especially during cold and flu season. Studies show boosting your vitamin D is more effective than taking a flu shot.
Daily doses of sunlight also provide Vitamin D but we only absorb Vitamin D through the skin that is exposed to the sun so during the months we have to cover up we get negligible amounts of this important vitamin. Foods that are good sources of Vitamin D are fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna. Egg yolks also provide a good source of Vitamin D however dietary sources are rarely enough and supplementation is highly recommended. The #1 nutritional deficiency most people have is Vitamin D.
