If You Suffer From..Asthma - Chiropractic Treatment for Asthma

If You Suffer From..Asthma
2007
The Bassett Chiropractic Clinics

ASTHMA
Asthma affects 5% of the population, and studies show that the prevalence of this disorder is on the increase across Europe. Asthma is a potentially serious condition with an annual mortality in Britain of 2000. Despite the figures, the majority of UK citizens still do not fully understand the implications of asthma, and very few know how chiropractic treatment can help people with this potentially life-threatening condition.

Asthma is a disorder in which the muscles of the airways go into a state of spasm, so that the airtubes in the lungs become narrow, impeding the passage of air. This leads to coughing, respiratory distress and wheezing. Breathing out can become easier than breathing in so that the lungs cannot empty and become over-inflated.

Asthma affects so many people due to its many potential triggers, which include exercise, allergens such as house dust mites, seasonal pollen, animal fur, moulds, certain drugs, certain foods (e.g. dairy produce), infection, or even sudden changes in weather. However, malalignments in the spine can also play a major role in the frequency and gravity of asthma attacks.

HOW THE SPINE AFFECTS BREATHING
Each muscle in the body is linked to nerves that branch off from the spinal cord. The muscles we use to breathe all get their nerve supply from the same parts of the spine. If these areas of the spine are malaligned, the nerve supply ceases to function correctly and the muscles required to breathe could also be affected. This explains why unknown malalignments of the spine can exacerbate asthmatic attacks.

Many asthmatics witness improvement after chiropractic treatment. The chiropractor will make a detailed examination of the spine, which may include x-ray. He will then decide which malalignment of the spine requires manipulation in order to correct the problem.

Correcting the malalignment can halt the chain of events which lead to closing of the airways and asthma attacks, resulting in symptomatic relief and a reduction in frequency of attacks.