For some people, the arrival of spring means that they have to deal with seasonal allergies. Actually, the CDC reports that over 25 million people in the US suffer from different forms of seasonal allergies. Some are mild and others are severe. Of this population, at least 19 million are adults and 6 million are children. The problem is that not everyone knows that what they have are seasonal allergies and even those who do don’t understand the benefit of seeking professional intervention. So, what exactly are seasonal allergies and what’s the treatment?
Seasonal allergies are a collective term that refers to disorders that result when the immune system reacts to foreign substances (allergens) such as pollen, mold, grass, dust, specific foods, heat, cold, air pollutants, and weeds. In this case, it happens seasonally after contact with the allergen. So, it’s not just a condition of the spring season. The response from your immune system may present in the form of a running nose, cough, rashes, and skin itchiness. In some severe cases, it can lead to breathing complications, asthma attacks or sometimes death.
What’s the Solution?
A majority of people handle seasonal allergies by using medications. The medications (popularly known as antihistamines) tend to neutralize the natural immune response chemical (known as histamine) that is released by your immune system when a seasonal allergen is detected. The over secretion of histamine is what causes the negative responses mentioned in the opening remarks.
While antihistamines are very effective in countering the effects of excessive histamines, they are prone to side effects like drowsiness. However, this is not the main concern. The issue is that they do not treat the root cause but just the symptoms. If you are looking for a more practical alternative, then you may find it necessary to consider chiropractic care. It’ll help you significantly.
How Does Chiropractic Care Help?
Chiropractic care is a general term that includes spinal manipulation and other physical techniques meant to boost communication between the spine and the brain. The specialist (a chiropractor) applies hands-on techniques to treat spinal misalignments (what we call subluxations). This brings enormous benefits to your body. You are able to fight the allergen in a practical way without fearing for adverse effects associated with anti-histamines.
While there are no permanent treatments for seasonal allergies, a Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic may help you manage, alleviate or prevent the symptoms. Regular treatments help to equip and to balance your natural defense so as to neutralize the effects of seasonal allergens. Remember, when you suffer subluxation, it’s not just your immune system that’s affected but the nervous and respiratory systems too. Chiropractic care ensures that all these systems work to their full potential in fighting seasonal allergies.
Generally, chiropractic care helps in dealing with seasonal allergies in the following ways:
- Strengthens Natural Immunity
When there’s a subluxation along your spine, your immune system is severely compromised and can’t fight allergens naturally. Chiropractic care is meant to realign the spinal path so as communication to the brain is necessitated and your body gets to fight the allergen effortlessly. When the spine and the brain are able to communicate freely, clearance of the symptoms comes naturally. So, you are able to manage them completely as long as you continue with your chiropractic session. Besides, no medications or surgery is involved. The techniques are purely manual.
- Supports Respiratory Functions
Just like the immune system, the respiratory system highly depends on communication between it and the brain. A subluxation is likely to hamper the flow of information and the effects are symptoms like sneezing, running nose, and coughing. By treating subluxation, the communication paths between the respiratory system and the brain are cleared. They stay open, free of obstruction. This means that the body is able to fight off an allergen naturally as there’s nothing that interferes with the signals that flow between the two systems.
- Distressing Effects
Are you aware that the immune system can be stressed? Well, the reason why your immune system reacts in a negative way to allergens is that they (the allergens) stress it. Considering that the nervous system is closely linked to the immune system, psychological stress interferes with their association. Research shows that stress wears down the adrenal glands. The glands are responsible for secreting the anti-inflammation hormone called cortisol.
Without sufficient cortisol levels, allergic responses are bound to get severe. A chiropractor will help you control cortisol production during high-allergy seasons. The specialist will basically control inflammation responses related to a specific allergen. One major distressing effect is the suppression of overproduction of histamine. When the levels are controlled, it’s easier to manage stress and allergy attack in the long run.
- Nutrition and Lifestyle Advice
A chiropractor doesn’t just treat subluxations but may also recommend a few changes in your nutrition plan and lifestyle. Such changes are meant to either prevent allergic attacks or lessen the symptoms. For example, nutrition-wise, a chiropractor may ask you to avoid some foods. They include:
- Fermented foods
- Spiced foods
- Tomatoes
- Celery
However, it doesn’t mean that all seasonal allergies related to foods have the same response in all people. Different people show different responses to food triggers. For example, some people may develop itchy skin because of taking some foods and others may develop rashes for taking the same foods.
Additionally, a chiropractor may recommend the following nutritional adjustments:
- Take more fiber-rich foods
- Choose more organic foods over non-organic
- Stay hydrated most times
In the case of lifestyle adjustments, a chiropractor may recommend the following:
- Avoid certain environmental things which are known to promote an allergic attack, for example, strong wind.
- Look for comfortable things to do to avoid allergic attack or to make the symptoms less severe.
- Find the best sleeping position and sleeping habits to combat back pain.
- Do at-home stretching exercises that are good for your spine.
- Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption.
- Practice mindfulness (meditation or yoga)
Closing Thought:
It takes proper communication between the brain and the immune system or the respiratory system to combat seasonal allergies. A chiropractor is able to facilitate this. Treatments from Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic may be your solution to avoiding the attacks or reducing the symptoms. Unlike the use of anti-histamines, chiropractic care addresses the underlying issue. Contact Cool Springs Chiropractic today!
