What is Asthma?

Asthma is a condition involving hypersensitivity of the immune system and of the airways (the tubes through which air passes between the nose and mouth to the lungs). During an asthma attack, the airways become obstructed due to muscle contraction, inflammation, and excess mucus production, resulting in wheezing and/or coughing symptoms.

The job of the immune system is to identify foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria and remove them. Normally, this response protects us from dangerous diseases. In a person with allergies or asthma, the immune system reacts to harmless substances such as plant pollen or animal dander and creates allergy (stuffy nose, watery eyes, etc.) or asthma (wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath) symptoms.

Asthma and allergies are closely associated because of the common systems involved -- the immune system and the respiratory system. Often, an asthma attack can result from an allergic reaction. Asthma sufferers are also more susceptible to having colds develop into bronchitis, which can trigger an asthma attack.

Case Studies Asthma/Allergies

This 13-year-old female was chronically sick since birth. Her mother described her as getting a sinus/upper respiratory infection 5-6 times per year, each time also having an ear infection. By age 5, she had her tonsils and adenoids removed and had also had several sets of tubes for ear infections. By age 12, she began suffering from a chronic cough, daily headaches, and pain at the base of her skull/upper neck region.

During her initial evaluation, it was discovered that she had sustained an injury to her upper neck. Her mother described several possible traumas including using suction at her birth, a skate boarding accident, and a concussion after falling off the monkey bars. During the first week of care, her cough, headaches, and neck pain were remarkablly reduced. She also described having a lot of drainage out of her nose. Within a month, her nasal congestion, cough, headaches, and pain were all absent. Six months later, she had no experienced any infections during that time.

Female, Age 6 years, Allergies & Asthma

During her evaluation, an upper cervical injury was discovered. The source of the injury was unknown. After her first upper cervical adjustment, she maintained her alignment for close to two months and experienced a marked decrease in her asthma/allergy attacks and medication use. Several months later, all symptoms were absent, so her medication use was discontinued.

Female, Age 41 years, Chronic Allergy & Sinus Problems

During her initial chiropractic evaluation, an upper neck injury was discovered. She recalled multiple traumas that preceded her onset of allergies including a car accident, a fall off of a horse while riding, and several gymnastics falls.

During the first few weeks of care, she began to notice less allergic reactions and less allergy symptoms overall. She described herself as being able to breathe more easily and that she was less congested. After the first month of care, she realized she was hardly having any allergic reactions so she began to decrease her medication use until she had completely discontinued it. She reported how she could be around animals with could read the morning paper, no longer worrying about having any allergic reactions. Six months later, her improvements continued until she was completely allergy-free.

Female, Age 42 years, Chronic Allergies and Asthma

 This 42-year-old female had suffered with allergies and asthma for the past 30 years. She regularly saw her allergist, had allergy shots, and took daily medications, but she was still miserable. Most of the time, she was completely congested and wheezing, despite the numerous asthma inhalers and allergy pills. While she was extremely skeptical that upper cervical chiropractic could do anything for her, she figured it was worth a try because she was so desperate.

During her initial chiropractic evaluation, an upper neck injury was discovered. During the first few weeks of care, she began to notice her respiratory system clearing up. She described herself as being able to breathe more easily and that she was less congested. After another month of care, she realized she was doing much better and began to lessen her medication dosages. After several more months, it dawned on her that she had not needed to visit her allergist or the emergency room for attacks during this entire chiropractic care period, and that fact astounded her. After several spring and fall allergy seasons had gone by without any flare-ups of her condition, she claimed she was a true believer in upper cervical chiropractic care.

This 40-year-old male had suffered with allergies since age 2. He had seen allergists his entire life and took daily medications including claritin and nasonex. It had been determined that he was allergic to many foods (wheat, yeast, dairy, nuts) and while he eliminated these foods from his diet, the allergies continued. He described how his nose was congested on a daily basis, and that he frequently suffered from sinus headaches, infections, and pressure. While he was not aware of a neck injury, he decided to be evaluated upon recommendation by a friend.

During his initial chiropractic evaluation, an upper cervical injury was found. Upon correction of his neck, his nose and sinuses began draining. By the end of the first month of care, all draining had ceased and his nose and sinuses were clear, so he was able to substantially reduce his medications.

This 4-year-old boy's mother described her son's struggle with a chronic "barking" cough for the past two years. He underwent numerous tests and his lungs were clear and no allergies or infections were discovered. Nonetheless the cough continued relentlessly and often kept him (and, as a result, his parents) awake at night. He had tried cough medicines and homeopathic remedies but the cough continued.

During his examination, an upper neck injury was discovered. His mother recalled a fall several years prior off of playground equipment that caused a concussion and most likely caused the unknown neck injury. Within one month of care, all coughing had stopped. In addition, his mother reported delightfully that he had also stopped wetting the bed (he had been frequently wetting the bed for the past year).

This 60-year-old played volleyball and handball regularly. During the two months prior to upper cervical care, however, he had been experiencing pain in both shoulders and had to stop participating in sports. Due to his left shoulder pain, he was unable to throw a ball. The pain bothered him daily and kept him awake at night. He was taking daily pain medications. He also suffered from hay fever for five years and took Sudafed daily. His massage therapist recognized that in addition to his shoulder pain, he also had very tight neck muscles so he recommended an upper cervical chiropractic exam.

During the exam, it was discovered that he had a neck injury-- which seemed to be interfering with the proper functioning of his shoulder joints. After having the neck injury corrected (one month of upper cervical care), his shoulder pain healed so he resumed playing his favorite sports. In addition, his hay fever was corrected so he no longer required medications.

Male, Age 51 years, Arm Numbness, Asthma

This 51-year-old male fell while skiing. Afterwards, he experienced numbness in his left arm. The arm stayed constantly numb for three months before he sought help from upper cervical care. In addition, he experienced asthma and allergies since childhood and frequently used an inhaler for chest congestion. During his initial chiropractic examination, an upper neck injury was discovered that most likely stemmed from his ski accident.

After the first adjustment, the numbness in his arm decreased to an intermittent occurrence. One month later, the numbness was gone. He also noticed correction of an injury in his left shoulder-- he no longer had pain there. Finally, the chest congestion reduced substantially. He claimed his allergy symptoms improved 80-85% since the beginning of care one month ago.

Female, Age 29 years, Allergies

Within 3 weeks of upper cervical care, her allergies were absent. She discontinued all medications and was able to breath through her nose. Two years later, her symptoms had not returned.

This 15-year-old female had allergies since a fall on her head as a young child in which she suffered a concussion. She used nasal sprays such as Flonase daily to help her breathe. She also complained of low back pain for several years.

After treatment of her upper cervical injury (most likely stemming from the concussion), her allergies were gone (her mother had not had to reorder flonase) and the low back pain was gone as well.

A 73-Year-old male with chronic asthma since World War II and left ear hearing deficit was adjusted and 10 minutes after the adjustment, he could hear foot steps in the hallway. His hearing has since been restored. He also noted that he has been experiencing fewer asthma attacks.

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