As a Chiropractor, I treat a lot of patients with Asthma. If you have Asthma this is what your life is like: Imagine taking a breath and not being able to get the air into your lungs. You feel as if you’re being strangled, and once getting the air into your lungs, you’re not being able to get the air out. Each breath is a struggle, gasping and wheezing for life. Imaging this happening for minutes to hours. Some people will have this happening continuously. Over time, your chest becomes permanently enlarged; barrel chest and you feel chronically exhausted because of the work you have to do just to take in the “breath of life”.
As of 1994, an estimated 14.6 million Americans had asthma, a 33% increase from 1990 and a 66% increase since 1980. Of these 4.8 million were children under 18. The average annual cost for each patient is $2,584.00 with the death rate more than doubled between 1980 and 1993. While conventional medicine offers a lifetime maintenance and control program of inhalers, cortisone and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, experts in alternative medicine hold out the promise of lasting remission using nutrients, herbs, acupuncture, chiropractic and even hypnosis.
While most people are familiar with the type of emergency allergic reactions which occur when stung by a bee or eating peanuts, slower reacting allergic reaction can trigger asthmatic attacks as well. Common food allergens include dairy, wheat and eggs. These foods have been shown to increase mucus production and if a person is allergic to them, their body will produce a compound called histamine. In fact any type of allergen can produce histamine and precipitate an asthma attack.
Some essential nutrients to help with asthma are Vitamin A plus beta-carotene which helps repair tissue and immunity. The B complex vitamins help with stress and stimulate the immune system. Magnesium has been shown to stop the severe asthmatic episode. Bromelin with Quercetin C has antihistamine effects. Many other herbs and vitamins can help. Talking to a physician who specializes in nutrition can help develop a nutritional program.
In my Chiropractic office, I have noticed that structural abnormalities, especially from trauma can also trigger asthma. There is an intimate connection between the spinal column, the nervous system and the breathing apparatus. The osteopathic writer Stoddard has observed: “In asthma the mechanical factor (spinal subluxation) may be so important that until the mechanics are put right the symptoms will persist. By putting pressure on the delicate nerves which control the lungs, spinal subluxations are a known cause of attacks. Corrections of these misalignments by a chiropractor have decreased asthmatic attacks in many cases.
Acupuncture can also be beneficial in the treatment of asthma. Acupuncture works on the principle of energy flow in the body. If the energy flow is restricted then symptoms will result. The use of the acupuncture needles on specific areas or points improve the flow of energy and help the symptoms. In the treatment of asthma it has been shown to reduce bronchospasms and improve function of the immune system.
More detailed information about the above topics can be found in the journal Alternative Medicine Issue 25. Please discuss any change in your asthma routine with your primary physician.
As a Chiropractor, I treat a lot of patients with Asthma. If you have Asthma this is what your life is like: Imagine taking a breath and not being able to get the air into your lungs. You feel as if you’re being strangled, and once getting the air into your lungs, you’re not being able to get the air out. Each breath is a struggle, gasping and wheezing for life. Imaging this happening for minutes to hours. Some people will have this happening continuously. Over time, your chest becomes permanently enlarged; barrel chest and you feel chronically exhausted because of the work you have to do just to take in the “breath of life”.
As of 1994, an estimated 14.6 million Americans had asthma, a 33% increase from 1990 and a 66% increase since 1980. Of these 4.8 million were children under 18. The average annual cost for each patient is $2,584.00 with the death rate more than doubled between 1980 and 1993. While conventional medicine offers a lifetime maintenance and control program of inhalers, cortisone and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, experts in alternative medicine hold out the promise of lasting remission using nutrients, herbs, acupuncture, chiropractic and even hypnosis.
While most people are familiar with the type of emergency allergic reactions which occur when stung by a bee or eating peanuts, slower reacting allergic reaction can trigger asthmatic attacks as well. Common food allergens include dairy, wheat and eggs. These foods have been shown to increase mucus production and if a person is allergic to them, their body will produce a compound called histamine. In fact any type of allergen can produce histamine and precipitate an asthma attack.
Some essential nutrients to help with asthma are Vitamin A plus beta-carotene which helps repair tissue and immunity. The B complex vitamins help with stress and stimulate the immune system. Magnesium has been shown to stop the severe asthmatic episode. Bromelin with Quercetin C has antihistamine effects. Many other herbs and vitamins can help. Talking to a physician who specializes in nutrition can help develop a nutritional program.
In my Chiropractic office, I have noticed that structural abnormalities, especially from trauma can also trigger asthma. There is an intimate connection between the spinal column, the nervous system and the breathing apparatus. The osteopathic writer Stoddard has observed: “In asthma the mechanical factor (spinal subluxation) may be so important that until the mechanics are put right the symptoms will persist. By putting pressure on the delicate nerves which control the lungs, spinal subluxations are a known cause of attacks. Corrections of these misalignments by a chiropractor have decreased asthmatic attacks in many cases.
Acupuncture can also be beneficial in the treatment of asthma. Acupuncture works on the principle of energy flow in the body. If the energy flow is restricted then symptoms will result. The use of the acupuncture needles on specific areas or points improve the flow of energy and help the symptoms. In the treatment of asthma it has been shown to reduce bronchospasms and improve function of the immune system.
More detailed information about the above topics can be found in the journal Alternative Medicine Issue 25. Please discuss any change in your asthma routine with your primary physician.