The Right Season for Allergy Relief!

When most people sneeze a few times or start feeling a little congested, the first thing that goes through their minds is usually “Oh great! A cold…” Depending on the time of year, though, other people have a very different thought-“Oh great! It’s allergy season again…” If you’re one of these “other” people, your second thought might be to reach into the medicine cabinet for an antihistamine pill. But did you know that a chiropractor could help you relief from your allergy problems without resorting to medications that can make you drowsy or cause other side-effects?

Most people associate chiropractic physicians with back and neck issues, and it is certainly true that chiropractors can help with these types of musculoskeletal problems. However, they can also help the body achieve optimum health by ensuring the spine is correctly aligned.

A study from the University of California found that signals from the nervous system may influence the function of the immune system. While our immune system is there to fight against disease, and helps to keep the body performing at its peak, it also works to dispel foreign contaminants that enter the body. When we sneeze because of an allergy, it’s because our body detects the presence of a foreign object in the system, such as dust, mites, pollen, etc. and it produces chemicals to neutralize and expel the allergens. These chemicals are known as histamines. In the case of allergies, the immune system overreacts to the presence of the allergens in the body. A chiropractor may help by removing the nerve interference from compressions in the spine. As a result, the immune system is able to function optimally once more.

Most traditional treatments for allergies, such as antihistamines, only suppress or manage the symptoms and don’t address the underlying cause. In addition, the relief from allergy medication is also under debate-particularly when used over long periods of time or combined with other drugs. One study conducted in lab rats with brand name anti-allergy medication found that cancerous tumors in the rats grew much father with the intake of antihistamines.

In contrast, a chiropractor treats patients by using spinal manipulation to release the stresses on the nervous system, which allows the immune system to work more effectively and-as a consequence-reduces allergies. This is yet another way that chiropractic care can promote optimal health and help improve your quality of life.

Remember-we are here to help! If you suffer from allergies or have concerns about your health more generally, we encourage you to call or visit our office today!