Chiropractic Care for Allergies

Chiropractic care supports overall body health and functioning and, in this way, provides great care for allergies. Spinal mobilization removes nervous system interference, enabling the body to combat allergies as needed. When you suffer from this, a visit to your chiropractor can help reduce symptoms and help you avoid over-the-counter medications that can have adverse side effects. Many chiropractors also utilize massage therapy and other soothing techniques that relax the muscles and help people feel calm. Ask your chiropractor about how spinal adjustments can help both allergies and back pain. 

Why Do Allergies Occur?

Allergies happen because our bodies strive to get rid of harmful substances. Methods used by the body to eliminate things it deems dangerous include vomiting, sneezing, itching, coughing, inflammation, bowel movements, and urination. When harmless substances provoke coughing, itching, and other elimination methods, we call this an “allergic response,” and it can overwhelm our body. In essence, an allergic reaction occurs when our body interprets a harmless substance as dangerous, and the coughing, sneezing, itching response that follows produces misery. While chiropractors do not proclaim to cure allergies, spinal mobilization supports whole body healing and nervous system functioning, enabling the body to work and function better overall.  

How Chiropractic Care Helps

For instance, a chiropractic adjustment to the cervical spine supports proper respiration. Nerves from the neck are connected to the shoulder and neck muscles, regions that are responsible for lung expansion. Portions of the autonomic nervous system associated with breathing reside in the neck and are crucial to our automatic response to irritants. Hands-on spinal mobilization or activator assisted treatment to the lower neck facilitates muscle balance, chest expansion, and productive coughing when needed. Massage performed in the area reduces muscle tightness, pain, and imbalance. These methods reduce stress, an impediment to nervous system communication, and decision making.

Spinal mobilization and massage applied to the thoracic spine allow the ribs to move more freely with less pain. The muscular diaphragm, which is attached to the lowest rib, is crucial to the cough reflex and requires pain-free motion. Organs innervated by nerves from the thoracic spine include the heart, liver, kidneys, and stomach. Pain, muscle tightness, and vertebral imbalance impair the function of these vital organs. The chiropractic adjustment helps improve allergic response through organ support by removing nerve interference to these organs. Organs are responsible for generating many factors involved in the allergic reaction, and sluggish organ function worsens allergic response.  

The lumbar spine of the low back houses the nerves traveling to the hips and legs in addition to portions of the autonomic system responsible for the bowel and bladder. Spinal adjustments to this region support the proper elimination of waste products and help to reduce back pain, which improves sleep. Additionally, we can stand taller and breathe more deeply following an adjustment. This all-important postural aspect benefits blood flow, lymph drainage, tissue oxygenation, and fluid movement in the body.

A chiropractic adjustment helps people live better lives during allergy season in many ways. This drug-free treatment supports healing on many levels and should be part of everyone’s routine. Contact an experienced chiropractor, like a chiropractor in Chapel Hill, NC, to schedule an adjustment today. 

Thanks to Acupractic Natural Healing Center for their insight into using chiropractic care to assist in allergy relief.