When people think of chiropractic, they think it can only treat low back pain or neck pain. Chiropractors actually treat many MANY other problems. Eighty percent of adults will experience low back pain sometime in their life. (So it is a very common complaint!)

Chiropractic can treat an array of problems. Here are a few maybe unknown things you can go to a chiropractor for!

Illness

Chiropractic care boosts the immune system and regular care helps keep you well.

• Chiropractic care detects and corrects subluxations and they have been shown to reduce the stress on the nervous system. It boosts the central nervous system to in turn boost the immune system.
• In a research study, it was found that when an adjustment was given, the white blood cell count rose significantly. White blood cells are in charge of fighting off viruses, bacteria and germs that invade the body.
• Another study measured the immune system of HIV patients for six months. Patients that had received regular chiropractic care, showed a 48% increase in the number of CD4+ T cells (which play a huge roll in the regulation of the immune response to pathogens.) Those without chiropractic care actually decreased by 8%!

Read 9 Ways to Kick Flu and Cold Season to the Curb for other ways to help during illness. Or Easy ways to prevent sickness.

Asthma

Chiropractic care is very effective in helping asthma. Adjusting the upper back, which have connections to the rib cage, helps the rib cage work more effectively. This allows for the lungs to be able to expand more. Also, using diathermy helps heal the lungs with heat. It reduces inflammation and mucus.

Common symptoms of asthma are:

• Coughing. Coughing from asthma often is worse at night or early in the morning, making it hard to sleep.
• Wheezing. Wheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound that occurs when you breathe.
• Chest tightness. This may feel like something is squeezing or sitting on your chest.
• Shortness of breath. Some people who have asthma say they can’t catch their breath or they feel out of breath. You may feel like you can’t get air out of your lungs.

Diet can play a major role in asthma. Yellow dye number 5 is an asthma enhancer. Dairy products cause your body to produce mucus. Mucus causes you to cough, making asthma worse.

Headaches and Migraines 

Nine out of 10 Americans suffer from headaches. Some are occasionally, some persistent and some are dull and nagging. Taking a pain pill is always an option but there is a better one out there!

Headaches have many causes, or “triggers.” These may include foods, environmental stimuli such as noises, lights, stress, and/or behaviors (insomnia, excessive exercise, blood sugar changes, etc.). About 5 percent of all headaches are warning signals caused by physical problems. The remaining 95 percent of headaches are primary headaches, such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches.

The greatest majority of primary headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck. Today, Americans engage in more sedentary activities than in the past, and more hours are spent in one fixed position or posture (such as sitting in front of a computer). This can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back and scalp, causing your head to ache.

What a chiropractor can do:

• Chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate the stress on your system.
• Therapies or stretching your neck muscles help tightness to relieve headaches.
• Changing your diet can improve your headaches (read about food allergy testing).
• Give nutritional supplements such as b-vitamins (if needed).
• Give advice on work ergonomics, exercises and relaxation techniques.

ADHD

Today 1 in 10 kids are diagnosed with ADHD. This makes it the most commonly diagnosed neurological behavioral disorder in children. With Ritalin being the most common treatment for kids with ADHD. Ritalin is a schedule 2 controlled substance that has effects similar to both amphetamines and cocaine!

Kids that have ADD or ADHD have cortisol problems. Cortisol decreases dopamine in the body. When you have decreased dopamine you can’t sit still, you are fidgety and your attention span is shortened. The chiropractic adjustment decreases cortisol in the body which allows dopamine to increase to the proper amounts.

Diet also plays a role in hyperactivity. Cutting out sugar, processed foods, food additives and dyes will help cut behavior issues. Sugar is very addictive and lights up the same areas in the brain as cocaine.

Imagine a kid that has a dopamine problem that also has a junk food problem! Get them to the chiropractor for change as soon as possible.

Menstrual Problems

Chiropractic care is very effective in regulating your menstrual cycle. It also helps with cramping and other PMS symptoms.

Women need to know that a healthy cycle starts with a healthy body.  And when we have a highly functioning nervous system, periods should be nothing more than a slight discomfort. About 30-40% of women suffer some issues before their menstrual cycle begins, while 75% of menstruating women experience some kind of premenstrual syndrome symptoms.  Symptoms can include bloating, headaches, fatigue, breast tenderness, constipation, nausea, irritability, mood swings and cramps.

Inflammation equals pain, so it’s important to stay away from pro-inflammatory foods like gluten, sugar, dairy and anything processed during your period.  Instead, reach for omega-3 rich foods such as salmon, walnuts, and flax seeds; they will they help fight inflammation and are brain and skin healthy too.  Also get up and move! Contrary to the trend of being sedentary when you’re on your menses, you actually need to move! Movement creates healthy blood flow and stimulates endorphins so you can feel better naturally.

Chiropractic

Call us or a chiropractor near you to schedule an appointment. Or if you have any question give me (or a chiropractor near you) a shout! I would love to answer any questions. Chiropractic is much more than just a
“Back Doctor”. Chiropractic can help a whole slew of problems. Including KEEPING YOU WELL! Wellness care is just as important as SICK care. Invest in your health.

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, OK 73036