According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the number of adults with asthma in 2012 was 18.7 million, and the number of children 6.8 million. Since then, these numbers have only been increasing. Many sufferers take prescribed medications, some of which have recently been scrutinized with respect to effectiveness and safety. What then is an asthma sufferer to do? Several studies indicate that chiropractic care can bring relief.

How Does Chiropractic Help?

The lungs and diaphragm are situated in the thoracic cavity. The diaphragm is the primary controller of breathing, and the phrenic nerves control the diaphragm. The phrenic nerves extend from the spinal cord and pass through the vertebrae of the mid-neck. If these nerves are pinched because of a slight misalignment in the vertebrae (a subluxation), the signals from the brain to the diaphragm are compromised. If the nerves are compressed enough over time, they can die. By removing the subluxation and freeing these nerves, chiropractic adjustments help asthmatic symptoms by restoring the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Research

Several case studies, reports, and abstracts confirm that chiropractic care can have a positive impact on asthma symptoms. A National Institutes of Health (NIH) report states that:

“After 3 months of combining chiropractic SMT” (spinal manipulation therapy) “with optimal medical management for pediatric asthma, the children rated their quality of life substantially higher and their asthma severity substantially lower.”

The Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research states that eighty-one children with asthma who underwent chiropractic treatment over a two-month period saw a 45% decrease in asthmatic attacks.

Are You or Your Child a sufferer from Asthma?

Visit us for a consultation to see how we can improve your asthma systems and your overall quality of life.

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Sleep Apnea is a disorder that disrupts natural sleeping patterns. Data from the American Sleep Apnea Association reveal that an estimated 22 million Americans are affected, and a high percentage of standard to moderately severe cases go undiagnosed.  A sufferer from obstructive sleep apnea will cease breathing for ten seconds or more during the night and then carry on. This will keep happening many times while the person is asleep.  

The Brain and Sleep Apnea

Breathing is something no one has to think about doing – it’s an involuntary biological function. However, although the brain is still instructing the body to breathe during sleep, obstructive sleep apnea happens when muscles in the back of the throat have difficulty keeping the airwaves open. A much more severe disorder, but, fortunately, much rarer, is central sleep apnea where the brain forgets to instruct the body to breathe.   

Is There Treatment?

The good news is that people afflicted with sleep apnea can be helped. Initially, the condition may be improved by identifying and eliminating any obvious risk factors, such as obesity, smoking and excessive drinking. Also, airways can be assisted to remain open by adopting optimum sleeping positions.

A CPAP Machine is Often the Next Step

If changes to lifestyle do not help, many people end up in sleep clinics and are prescribed machines designed to keep airways open during sleep. The most common types of these devices are CPAPs (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ) and APAPs (Automatic Positive Airway Pressure). However, this therapy doesn’t work for everyone, and it’s not exactly comfortable or sexy to go to bed wearing a face mask and hooked up to a machine.

Is There an Alternative?

Yes, …………………………………………… specializes in radio frequency ablation (RFA). This is a treatment whereby small doses of heat energy in the form of radio frequencies are aimed at the back of the tongue (a common site of airway obstruction). This prevents the tongue from falling backwards and blocking the airway. This therapy has a long track record of effectiveness and is a viable sleep apnea treatment option. For more information on RFA, please contact us. 

 

 

Does Your Child Snore?

Most children snore occasionally, but if your usually quietly-sleeping child begins to snore loudly and regularly this could indicate an abnormality. Unusual snoring could be a sign of your kid’s health problem – a stuffy nose, an allergy, a respiratory infection, or sleep apnea.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Approximately one to four percent of children are afflicted with breathing problems while asleep. It’s normal for a child’s throat muscles to relax during sleep, but if they become so relaxed that the airway is constricted, sufficient air cannot pass through. This causes an interruption in breathing that can last as long as a minute. The brain then signals the body to make an effort to start breathing again. This can happen many times during the night causing the body to be deprived of sufficient oxygen. It’s then impossible for the child to get enough quality sleep.

What Causes it?

Risk factors include being overweight, allergies, asthma, abnormalities in the physical structure of the jaw or face, and GERD (gastroenterological reflux disorder). In young children, obstructive sleep apnea is most often related to the tonsils. Their tonsils are large in comparison to the throat, and swollen tonsils can block the airway. National Center for Health Statistics data show that annually more than 263,000 US children undergo tonsillectomies and sleep apnea is a major reason.   

What Happens if it’s Left Untreated?

Following a night of poor sleep, children are likely to be tired, have difficulty paying attention, and exhibit behavioral problems. In a study by the American College of Chest Physicians, children who snored loudly were fifty percent more likely to have learning problems. Untreated sleep apnea may also lead to delayed growth and cardiovascular problems.

What to Do About It

If your child is exhibiting signs of sleep apnea, consult your pediatrician who will probably suggest a sleep study. Sleep experts have specialized training, can make a diagnosis and recommend a course of treatment. For more information on sleep apnea or any other health concern you have about your child, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

The causes of chronic pain are numerous and can be complex. They include trauma, postural or overuse injuries, long-term illnesses, cancer, central nervous system damage, inflammatory conditions, vascular conditions that reduce blood flow, and degenerative diseases associated with aging. It’s very overwhelming to live with chronic pain but it is possible to ease constant pain with massage therapy.

What Happens When you Experience Chronic Pain?

Muscles tighten around the painful area to “protect” it, mobility is limited, and blood circulation reduced. Additionally, physical pain can cause emotional and psychological stress that ends up exacerbating the pain and can remain even if the physical condition heals.

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage is a manual therapy involving hands-on manipulation of muscles and soft tissues. For individuals looking to manage chronic pain without resorting to drugs, massage therapy can be a powerful tool for relaxing both mind and body. By interrupting the cycle of chronic pain, massage therapy can help improve the quality of life.

Benefits of Massage Therapy

• Produces a release of serotonin, which is a natural anti-pain chemical.
• Restores mobility by loosening and lengthening tight muscles and relaxing trigger points.
• Increases blood flow and circulation.
• Induces relaxation and helps relieve anxiety and stress.
• Helps to increase deep sleep. Lack of deep, restorative sleep is an aggravating factor in pain syndromes.
• Positively impacts fibromyalgia and arthritis, two chronic pain conditions.

What You Should Do

Consult an experienced certified massage therapist for treatment. The therapist will assess your condition and recommend massage techniques that are right for you. We have the expertise to help you, so don’t hesitate to contact us to arrange for a consultation.