What Causes Allergies?
When your immune system perceives a foreign substance as a threat (even though it is not), it triggers the production of antibodies to fight back. This immune response can cause inflammation of your sinuses, airways, or skin, which we know as “allergies.” Depending on the person, allergies can range from mild to severe. Typically, seasonal allergies (eg hay fever) do not cause anaphylaxis.
Common airborne allergens include:
- Pollen: Tree pollen is often the cause of spring allergies. Tree types common to NC that are particularly problematic for those with pollen sensitivities are oak, ash, maple, birch, and sycamore.
- Mold: Mold thrives in moist, dark environments, and it travels easily through the air. The higher the mold concentration, the more issues it will cause for allergy-sufferers.
- Dust: Dust mites are found in every home, but they can be reduced by regular vacuuming (or steam cleaning carpet), laundering bedding often and/or using allergy-proof covers, and utilizing air purifiers or HEPA filters.
- Pet Dander: Dander (aka dead skin cells) is constantly being shed by many pets, such as cats, dogs, and rodents. Even pets classified as “hypoallergenic” shed dander. Dander easily clings to furniture, walls, carpet, clothes and household surfaces. It can even get into your air vents, causing it to spread throughout your home.
Chiropractic Care and Your Immune System Response
There is a link between the nervous system and the immune system, which means, for chiropractic patients, an aligned spine can help regulate your immune system’s response to common allergens. Removing nerve interference (which is caused by misalignment of the spine), allows your immune system to function at its best. When your immune system is not working optimally, it can overreact to allergens, causing more severe allergy symptoms.
Chiropractic Care and Stress
Stress can further exacerbate allergy symptoms. Our adrenal glands produce the hormone cortisol, which reduces inflammation. The adrenal glands of those who suffer from chronic stress are often weaker (which means lower cortisol production). Since the nervous system and adrenal glands are connected, a properly aligned spine can help to strengthen the adrenal glands (increasing cortisol production).
Chiropractic Care and the Respiratory System
Like all of the body’s systems, the respiratory system depends on communication from your brain. When the brain’s signals are clear, the respiratory system will function better, enabling it to respond better to allergens.
Asthma and Chiropractic Care
Misalignments of the upper back are common in those who suffer from Asthma. This can lead to shortness of breath and a breakdown of communication between the brain and the muscular system. Chiropractors can help to repair these misalignments and that may resolve some underlying issues related to asthma complications.
Chiropractic care can improve communication between the brain and the body’s systems, allowing the body to function at its peak in the presence of allergens. At Monitto Chiropractic, we tailor a specific plan of action to meet your needs, goals, and unique medical and physical condition. Contact us for more information about how chiropractic care can provide relief from allergies.