You may be aware that chiropractic treatment can help treat different body conditions, but what you may not know is that it can help with allergies.
Allergies develop when your body’s immune system reacts to foreign substances, such as dust, pet dander, and pollen. In some cases, they also occur when eating food that doesn’t cause reactions in most people.
During allergic reactions, the immune system produces antibodies — a type of protein that detects harmful substances. Usually, the immune system’s reaction causes inflammation in some areas of the skin, digestive system, airways, or sinuses. Some allergies are mild, while some may be severe and life-threatening. Most of them don’t have a cure, but there are treatments available to relieve symptoms.
If you or a loved one has allergies, chiropractic care combined with medications can help. Learn more about the link between chiropractic and allergies here.
Symptoms of Allergies
Before discussing the link between chiropractic treatment and allergies, let’s first discuss the common symptoms of different allergies. Symptoms may vary from person to person, and the reactions depend on the substance involved.
Here’s how your body may react to different allergens:
When in contact with pollen, you may experience hay fever, more commonly known as allergic rhinitis. Symptoms may include:
- Runny Nose
- Conjunctivitis
- Sneezing
- Watery Eyes
- Symptoms caused by food allergies include:
- Tingling or Prickling in the Mouth
- Lip, Tongue, Throat, or Facial Swelling
- Anaphylaxis
- Hives
Allergies caused by insect stings can cause people to experience symptoms, such as:
- Swelling on the Stung Part
- Hives
- Itching on Different Parts of the Body
- Anaphylaxis
- Difficulty Breathing, Coughing, Tightness in the Chest
Allergic reactions due to certain medications may cause different symptoms, including:
- Hives
- Wheezing
- Facial Swelling
- Rashes and Itchy skin
- Anaphylaxis
- Atopic dermatitis, a type of allergic hypersensitivity, can cause the skin to:
- Redden
- Peel or Flake
- Itch
Can a Chiropractor Help With Allergies?
Now that you already know the different symptoms caused by allergies, it’s time to know the link between chiropractic treatment and allergies.
Everything in the body is connected. When one body part suffers from a health condition, it will likely affect the functions of the other body parts. The same thing happens when there are spinal misalignments — different bodily functions get affected.
The immune system’s strength depends on the proper communication between the body and brain through the spinal cord; it can be interrupted by issues in the spinal cord and compromise the body’s immunity.
In some cases, irritations in the upper cervical spine can lead to your body’s overreaction to some foreign substances. When this happens, you may experience asthmatic or allergic reactions.
You might be contemplating why you need to see a chiropractor for allergy relief. The main reason for you to visit them is that they can help restore proper spinal alignment, which, in turn, eliminates all the interruptions in the communication between your brain and body. With normal bodily functions, you can have a more robust immune system.
Benefits of Seeing Chiropractors for Allergy Relief
There are many benefits you get when you visit chiropractors for allergy relief, such as:
1. A Stronger Immune System
With the restoration of spinal alignment, you’ll have a stronger immune system, which will help your body ward off infections and diseases. In addition, your body won’t overreact when exposed to different allergens, such as pollen, bee stings, and medications.
2. A Healthier Body
By visiting chiropractors for allergy relief, you’ll also get a healthier body. Chiropractic care doesn’t just improve your physical health; it boosts your mental health as well.
Chiropractic treatments can help lower blood pressure, which helps relieve symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. It also helps people with mental health problems feel more at ease.
3. Prevent Allergic Asthma
There are cases where allergies and asthma occur at the same time. This condition is called allergic asthma, where airways tighten up upon breathing in allergens such as dust, pet dander, and mold spores.
Misalignments in the upper back can cause shortness of breath, a common asthma symptom. When you consult chiropractors for allergy relief, they can help you pinpoint and address the underlying causes of both your allergy and asthma.
Chiropractic Adjustments for Improved Nervous and Immune System Health
The link between chiropractic and allergies is mainly observed in the relationship between the nervous and immune systems. By using chiropractic adjustments to restore nervous system function, chiropractors also help relieve allergy symptoms.
Here are some chiropractic adjustments that can help you improve the health of your nervous and immune systems:
1. Spinal Decompression
This chiropractic adjustment utilizes a specialized table for gently stretching the spine. It improves the flow of oxygen and bodily fluids into the intervertebral disc throughout the spine. It also helps treat lower back pain caused by bulging, degenerated, slipped, and herniated discs.
2. Diversified Chiropractic Technique
The Diversified Chiropractic Technique (DCT) uses precise hands-on thrusts to restore proper spinal alignment, improve mobility, and repair joint dysfunction. It is one of the most used chiropractic adjustments, with 96% of chiropractors providing it.
3. Flexion-distraction
Similar to spinal decompression, this chiropractic adjustment also uses a specialized table. As the name suggests, the flexion-distraction technique is done by flexing and distracting the spine with a gentle, rhythmic motion.
This pain-free chiropractic adjustment helps treat symptomatic disc injuries involving back and leg pain.
4. Spinal Manipulation
Spinal manipulation is almost similar to the diversified technique. However, this chiropractic adjustment focuses more on gentle stretching and thrusting motions. It helps improve nervous system function, reduce inflammation, and relieve joint pressure.
5. The Activator Method
The Activator Method helps treat a wide range of conditions, including lower back pain and headaches. It uses a small handheld device called an activator, which helps chiropractors administer gentle impulses to the spine’s vertebral segments.
6. The Gonstead Adjustment
The Gonstead Adjustment involves the manipulation of the pelvis or lower back while patients sit or lay down on their side. This chiropractic adjustment helps restore proper disc alignment and improve mobility.
Contact Advanced Chiropractors Groups Today
The link between chiropractic and allergies is backed by research. According to a 2004 study, chiropractic care provides an evidence-based solution for allergies. To provide you with relief, Advanced Chiropractors Group is here to help. We have partnered with the best chiropractors from different states and can connect you to the best ones in your area. Contact us today for any inquiries!