When you’re going about your daily activities, going for a bike ride, or playing with your kids, you can do these things without having to think about your breathing. This is because your autonomic nervous system involuntarily increases or decreases your breathing rate so that you maintain proper oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange dependent on your level of activity. It does this by controlling your respiratory center which is found in the brain stem. The brain stem is located in the upper cervical region (also known as the craniocervical junction). The first two bones in your spine help to protect this vital organ.
In most cases of asthma there are environmental triggering agents like air pollutants, smoke, exercise or dust. These irritants can cause inflammation to the airways causing them to become constricted and you may experience symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or difficulty breathing. This can be scary for all involved.
What do allergies have to do with asthma? There are many individuals who have allergies and do not have asthma. However, some asthma sufferers also have allergies and for these individuals, allergy triggers such as pollen, animal dander, mold or dust can also cause inflammation of the airways and aggravate their asthma symptoms.
How can upper cervical chiropractic care help and is there a way to find natural relief? While not all asthma and allergy sufferers experience the same degree of resolution, many studies have shown an impressive amount of relief for individuals undergoing chiropractic care. An upper cervical misalignment can apply pressure, irritation or disturbances within the brain stem, which in turn can affect many autonomic and involuntary functions (i.e., breathing). The goal of an upper cervical doctor is not to directly treat asthma or allergies but to instead correct the misalignment that may be causing an imbalance in the bodies ability to communicate with the immune and respiratory system. As a result of this, it is worth getting checked by an upper cervical chiropractor to see if a misalignment is affecting your central nervous systems ability to function optimally.
