When people think about chiropractors, they don’t generally associate them with treating asthma. However, in some cases, chiropractic care may help with asthma sufferers. This can be especially true for children or asthma sufferers that had an onset in childhood.
Below are some research studies proving evidence that Chiropractic may have a positive impact on patients with asthma.
Dr. Ray Hayek conducted a trial at 16 treatment centers in Australia, involving 420 patients with an average age of 46, in an effort to find out what effects spinal manipulation has on symptoms such as depression and anxiety, general health status, and the levels of immunity. He tested the concentrations of both an immunoglobulin (IgA) and an immunosuppressant (cortisol) to gauge his results. Dr. Hayek was trying to prove that different forms of manual therapy (including massage) improve symptoms and lower cortisol levels in asthma patients.
Dr. Hayek reported that only the patient group that underwent spinal manipulation displayed significant improvement in asthma symptoms. Conducting only interviews at the treatment centers or being monitored at home did not yield these improvements. In addition, patients actually undergoing spinal manipulation displayed dramatic increases of IgA and decreases of cortisol even after asthma treatment had ceased, suggesting that the treatments affected the patients’ health long term. These patients were expected to ward off subsequent asthmatic attacks.
These changes not only suggest that the effects of spinal manipulation are more far-reaching than commonly believed, but that they may be more long-term as well. The gain in health achieved after spinal manipulations were performed is expected to reduce the incidence and severity of pathogenic invasion of the airways. There would be less of a risk under these circumstances of experiencing the symptoms of asthma.
Chiropractic Care of a Pediatric Patient with Asthma: A Case Report
Heather Whittle-Davis D.C. Bio & Krystal Czegus D.C. Bio
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic ~ Volume 2011 ~ Issue 3 ~ Pages 77-81 Abstract
Objective: To review the outcomes of a toddler suffering from asthma, gastrointestinal complaints and frequent colds undergoing subluxation based chiropractic care.
Clinical Features: A 23-month-old female suffering from asthma, gastrointestinal complaints and frequent colds was presented for a chiropractic evaluation and possible care. At this time, the patient was taking a series of different asthma medications and was also under constant monitoring by her pediatric pulmonologist.
Intervention and Outcomes: The patient was cared for using a combination of both high velocity, low amplitude Diversified adjustments and low-force adjustments with the Activator adjusting instrument to address areas of vertebral subluxation in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine. Within approximately 11 months, the patient’s parents reported a 90% improvement of their child’s condition. The patient was able to reduce her care plan frequency and discontinued use of all medications. The parents also reported a decrease in their child’s asthma, sinus problems and frequency of colds.
Conclusion: This case report provides supporting evidence that chiropractic care can have a positive impact on children suffering with asthma and help balance immune system functioning. It is recommended that further research be conducted on this subject to support the findings of this case study.
Key Words: Chiropractic, asthma, children, spinal manipulation
Case Study 2
Improvement in a Pediatric Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Asthma: A Case Report
Brian Kachinsky, D.C. Bio & Jill Kachinsky, D.C. Bio
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic ~ Volume 2011 ~ Issue 1 ~ Pages 1-4 Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the chiropractic care on a 3 year-old boy with asthma as an alternative option to traditional medical care.
Clinical Features: A 3 year-old male with a history of Neurofibromatosis Type I, asthma and ear infections. He was having frequent asthmatic episodes requiring emergency department visits two times per month. His mother sought chiropractic care to attempt to control his exacerbations of asthma. He had a previous RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) infection
Intervention and Outcomes: The patient was adjusted utilizing the Diversified chiropractic technique at a frequency of two to three times per week. Within one month after beginning care the patient no longer had violent exacerbations of his asthma and was able to sleep through the night and decrease his rescue inhaler usage.
Conclusions: This specific case shows a positive response to chiropractic care in the treatment of uncontrolled asthma in a three year old male with a history of Neurofibromatosis type 1, ear infections and a previous RSV infection. However, more research is needed to explore chiropractic as a viable alternative to medical care in these types of cases.
Key Words: Neurofibromatosis Type 1, asthma, chiropractic, antibiotics, vertebral subluxation
Please Note: The information provided here is merely referential and informative. It is in no way a representation of professional medical advice and you should consult with your medical doctor in conjunction with your chiropractor to determine any possible diagnosis and asthma treatment methods that you may require.
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