Your immune system... we can help

A hot topic in magazines, newspapers and in my office these days is how to boost your immune system and strengthen your body in hopes of fighting off infections and disease. It seems many have an opinion as to how to do this. My patients talk about their improved immune systems and research backs up what we are finding to be true. Immune System research shows chiropractic patients have significantly greater immune response.

One study that speaks to this was published in the Journal of Chiropractic Research. The author states that there is a "definite correlation between chiropractic care and superior health." In fact, this study has shown "that children raised under chiropractic care are less prone to infectious processes such as otitis media and tonsillitis, and that their immune systems are better able to cope with allergens such as pollen, weeds, grasses, etc. compared to children raised under allopathic care. There is also a significant decreased history of antibiotic use under the "chiropractic" children, indicating a lower susceptibility to bacterial infections as a result of their greater immune system response."

Patients who do come into our office with colds, sore throats, sinus congestion and stomach viruses often remark that their recovery seems to be accelerated by the chiropractic adjustment. By understanding that if the spine is out of alignment then the nervous system cannot function the way it is designed to, then this makes perfect sense. The ability of the body to remain in balance, or maintain homeostasis, is imperative prior to and during an immune response. It stands to reason then that interference of nervous activity along the nerves can lead to a decrease in immune function therefore hindering our body's resistance to microbial infection.

A mother of three young boys recently shared her thoughts on this subject with our office staff. She stated that the older two boys attend school and are exposed to all kinds of germs. They occasionally do get a cold but stated that "they recover much more quickly and the symptoms are less intense" now that they are under chiropractic care. The youngest son, a one year old that has been under my care since he was just a couple of hours old, has been fortunate to have avoided "catching" these colds. Mom states that the boys' immune systems are "better equipped to handle the nasty infections they are exposed to."

Let me remind you of a few important things to help when and if you struggle with a cold or flu. First, if you have an infection, don't cancel your chiropractic appointment. Many patients are pleasantly surprised when their recovery is significantly improved and accelerated after an adjustment. Secondly, if you develop an infection in between chiropractic check-ups, then bring your appointment forward to benefit from an immune kick-start.

If you have questions about chiropractic and how it can strengthen your immune system, give us a call at 208-667-7434 or stop by our new office at 370 E. Kathleen Ave., Suite 600, Coeur d'Alene. You can also find us on the web at CDAHealth.com or on Facebook and Twitter by searching for "Spoelstra Family Chiropractic."

Reference: Journal of Chiropractic Research 1989: 5(summer): 101-103