Tag Archives: asthma

Fever Resolved in Child with Chiropractic Care

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Is A Fever A Good Thing? Can Chiropractic Care Help the Immune System Fight Infection?

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published a case study on December 22, 2016, documenting the case of a young boy with acute fever being resolved with chiropractic. Fever is triggered by an activation of the immune system as it fights things such as bacteria and viruses.

Fever Resolved in Child with Chiropractic Care - Austin Texas Chiropractor Pediatric Kids Infants Babies Newborns Spinal CareThe Mayo Clinic states,  “A fever is a temporary increase in your body temperature, often due to an illness. Having a fever is a sign that something out of the ordinary is going on in your body.”  They continue by noting, “Fevers generally go away within a few days. A number of over-the-counter medications lower a fever, but sometimes it’s better left untreated. Fever seems to play a key role in helping your body fight off a number of infections.”

This study begins by pointing out that although there are many anecdotal reports of chiropractic being effective for cases of fever, there is little in the way of published studies on this subject. Most of the published evidence for chiropractic care is for musculoskeletal conditions such as back and neck pain. However, additional studies have shown chiropractic being helpful for conditions such as menstrual disorders, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, colic, ear infections, and bedwetting.

In this case, an 11-year-old boy was brought to the chiropractor. Five days before his chiropractic visit, he developed a fever along with symptoms of general malaise, fatigue, and behavioral changes such as decreased activity, lethargy, and decreased communication. His temperature was monitored by his mother and ranged from 101 degrees to 103 degrees Fahrenheit. The boy’s mother was giving him acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) every 4-6 hours with no change in the fever. After 2 days of the fever, the boy was seen by an MD and prescribed amoxicillin for acute unspecified upper respiratory infection.

A chiropractic examination was performed which showed muscle tightness and swelling. Additionally, spinal range of motion showed restrictions. Specific chiropractic adjustments were administered to the boy based upon the findings.

The boy’s mother checked her son’s temperature upon returning home which was approximately one hour after the chiropractic visit. She reported that her son’s temperature had returned to normal at 98.4 degrees. Additionally, she reported that her son’s energy increased and he returned to his normal behavior of being talkative, active, and had increased ability to focus.

The boy reported that within 60 minutes of the first adjustment he felt  back to normal  and was no longer achy, sore, or having headaches. His mother reported that his temperature remained normal and he continued to be energetic, talkative, and back to his regular level of activity.

In their discussion the study authors stated,  This case report outlined the care of a male child with acute illness resulting in both immunological and musculoskeletal symptom improvement within 60 minutes of treatment and was sustained at follow-up appointments.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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Asthma Resolved and Medication Discontinued After Chiropractic

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Can Chiropractic Help Asthma? Do Chiropractors see Kids with Asthma?

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published a case study on September 5, 2016, documenting the case of a young patient suffering from asthma and headaches being helped by chiropractic.

asthma-resolved-and-medication-discontinued-after-chiropractic-austin-tx-chiropractor-pediatric-kid-child-health-wellnessAccording to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing.” They estimate that currently 25 million people suffer with this problem.

The number of asthma cases and the impact on healthcare has continued to increase. The authors of the study report that in 2011, 1.8 million people visited an emergency room with the chief complaint of asthma. Additionally, 14.2-million people visited a general physician and reported asthma as their primary reason for the visit.

In this case, a 15-year-old boy with a chief complaint of asthma was brought to the chiropractor. In addition, he also reported stiffness in his neck and back, and muscle spasms. He also suffered from frequent headaches.

For the previous 7 or 8 years, the boy was reportedly taking three to five medications per day and using an inhaler as needed. If the boy was suffering from a cold or experienced a coughing attack, he was instructed to use his nebulizer three times a day in addition to a steroid taken orally once a day.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included inspection, palpation, a thermographic study, and both static and motion x-rays. Based upon the findings of the examination procedures, specific chiropractic adjustments were started on the boy’s spine.

The study records that after the second chiropractic adjustment, the boy reported decreased difficulty in breathing. Improvement continued, and after three months of care, the boy was able to discontinue all medications. The boy’s MD suggested he carry his inhaler in case of emergency, but several months later, the boy discontinued on his own accord. The study reports that his headaches also were completely resolved.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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Cross-Eyes Helped with Chiropractic

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What Is Strabismus? How Can Chiropractic Help Crossed Eyes?

A study published on March 12, 2015 in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health documents a case of a Down’s Syndrome boy with crossed eyes being helped with chiropractic.

The authors of the study begin by explaining, “Chiropractic is often mistakenly regarded as having a very limited scope of practice in general, i.e. neck pain, back pain and headaches. Yet, chiropractors and their patients experience a multitude of positive results beyond these musculoskeletal complaints, especially in children.”

Cross-Eyes Helped with Chiropractic - Austin TX ChiropractorThe authors report that chiropractic care is the most common type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for children. Studies show that usage of chiropractic nearly doubled in a few short years, rising from 11% in the early nineties to 20% by the late nineties. They note that children represent between 8% and 11% of chiropractic care received.

The authors further explain, “Some of the common pediatric conditions addressed by chiropractors include scoliosis, infantile colic, nocturnal enuresis, constipation, otitis media, seizures, autism, ADHD, asthma, cerebral palsy and strabismus. However, one study revealed that wellness care was the highest ranking reasoning for pediatric chiropractic care.”

In this case, a 4-year-old Down’s Syndrome boy was brought into the chiropractor’s office along with his family for correction of any subluxations. The boy’s right eye was crossed inward. The mother  reported that both the boy’s eyes were originally crossed and that surgery had been performed on the left eye in an attempt to return it to a more normal position.

After a chiropractic analysis, adjustments were initiated to correct the boy’s subluxations. After 12 visits, the boy’s parents reported to the chiropractor that their son’s right eye had completely returned to center. Additionally, his left eye, which had been surgically corrected, started to also correct and was therefore slightly  divergent from center. This indicated that the surgery may not have been needed, as the eye may have attempted to correct itself with chiropractic.

In their conclusion the authors wrote. “The results of the reduction of vertebral subluxation in this case suggest that chiropractic care may be beneficial in the correction of strabismus. Had the patient not undergone the operation to repair the left eye, we propose that both eyes would have been centered in the neutral position.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Immune Function Improved with Chiropractic

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How Does Chiropractic Help Arthritis? How Does Chiropractic Affect The Immune System?

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published a case study on Oct. 9, 2014, documenting the resolution of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis through chiropractic care.  The study authors explain, “Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), also known as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis or Juvenile Chronic Arthritis, is a chronic inflammatory disease that can begin anywhere from infancy to age 17. ”

The study points out that “There are four main subtypes of JIA including oligoarticular, polyarticular, systemic onset, and enthesitis-related. This case focuses on oligoarticular JIA, which is defined as JIA that effects up to four joints. The average onset of oligoarticular JIA is 5 years of age and is predominant in the female population.”

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Immune Function Improved with Chiropractic - Austin TX ChiropractorIn this case, a 15-year-old girl went to the chiropractor complaining of lower back pain and joint pain. Her history also revealed that she was suffering from digestive dysfunction, seasonal allergies, diarrhea, and significant abdominal pain.  She was diagnosed with JIA at the age of twelve and was given Nabumetone and Neurontin by a medical doctor.
 A chiropractic examination was performed which included a weight-bearing postural evaluation, spinal range of motion, muscle testing, reflex testing, and palpation. After reviewing all the results from the examination procedures, it was determined that the underlying problem was from multiple vertebral subluxations.

A set of specific chiropractic adjustments were begun to help correct the subluxations. After six weeks of chiropractic care, the rheumatologist stated that the girl’s JIA was in remission. Her rheumatologist then recommended that she discontinue  her medications.  A follow-up blood test revealed that her white blood cell count was within normal limits.

The study results recorded that, “At the latest reassessment, the patient shared that she is no longer taking medication for allergies and asthma as the symptoms have resolved. She also stated that her bowel movements have been of regular consistency with no abdominal pain.”

For more information about how chiropractic care affects the nervous system, please read this very informative Health Research Report – Interference and Your Nervous System.

If you are, or someone you know is, suffering with arthritis or a similar inflammatory condition, call (512) 452-2525 to schedule an appointment today. You do not have to live with the pain.

Asthma Inhalers Can Stunt Child Growth

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Can Chiropractic Help Asthma? What Are The Side Effects Of Asthma Inhalers?

The headline above comes from a July 18, 2014, article in the International Business Times, and reports on a recent study published in The Cochrane Library, an independent, non-profit research reporting organization. The Cochrane websites explains, “Cochrane is a global independent network of health practitioners, researchers, patient advocates and others, responding to the challenge of making the vast amounts of evidence generated through research useful for informing decisions about health.”

Asthma Inhalers Can Stunt Child Growth | Austin Asthma Chiropractor DoctorThis research, conducted by the Federal University of Rio Grande in Brazil and University of Montreal in Canada, showed that children who used steroids for asthma had slower growth rates compared to those not using the medications.

An article in the July 17, 2014, Medical New Today reported on the same study and noted that, “Asthma is a chronic lung condition that occurs widely in the US. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 25 million people (about 1 in 12) have asthma. This percentage is much higher in children; around 9.3% of children (6.8 million) are believed to have the condition.”

Lead author of the study, Dr Linjie Zhang, of the Federal University of Rio Grande, Brazil, reported that, “The evidence we reviewed suggests that children treated daily with inhaled corticosteroids may grow approximately half a centimeter less during the first year of treatment.”

Several of the articles reporting on the study quoted medical physicians who said it was a “small price” to pay for using these drugs. Whether the obvious pun was intended or not, the remark reflects a lack of willingness to look into other less drastic options. Most of the articles did make a concession by advising that doses of these medications be kept as low as possible.

“It is interesting to note that research like this which would be of interest to so many parents, was not reported in the United States, a country which allows prescription medication advertisements,” stated Dr. Michael McLean, a chiropractor in Virginia and president of the International Chiropractors Association. “Chiropractors have been helping asthma sufferers for years without exposing patients to the harmful side effects of medications. We can only hope that the truth about these types of drug treatments continues to be disseminated allowing the public to make a more informed choice about their health.”

For more information and research, please read this health research report on Asthma and Chiropractic. To see if chiropractic care can help with your child’s or your own asthma, call (512) 452-2525 to schedule today.

Chronic Allergies, Sinus Problems, Dry Skin, Leg Cramps and Asthma Helped with Chiropractic

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Can Chiropractic Help My Allergies? Can Chiropractic Help My Asthma?

A case study, published in the June 19, 2014, issue of the scientific periodical, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, documented the case of a young girl who was suffering from a wide variety of ailments being helped by chiropractic. The chiropractic care resulted in positive spinal changes and in the patient’s overall quality of life.

Chronic Allergies, Sinus Problems, Dry Skin, Leg Cramps and Asthma | Austin Pediatric ChiropractorThe authors of the study begin by describing asthma as, “an inflammatory state of the lungs that can be acute or chronic, causing changes in the airways. This condition is due to hypersensitivity of the asthmatic patient, aggravated by airborne allergens or pollen, cold or other respiratory infections.” They also note that, “Allergies have been on the rise over the past several years with 1 out of 5 Americans being affected by them today. In fact, allergies are the 5th leading chronic disease in the U.S. as well as being the 3rd most common chronic disease in children.”

In this case, an 11-year-old girl was brought to the chiropractor for the first time. She was suffering from asthma, chronic allergies, sinus problems, dry skin, and leg cramps. Her asthma, which had only started the prior summer, was causing her to miss school. She was also on multiple medications for her breathing and allergies.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included a postural analysis, a surface EMG study, and spinal palpation. Multiple abnormalities in the girl’s posture were noted and documented. X-rays were performed which verified the spinal and postural misalignments. In addition, pulmonary function was measured and was shown to be abnormal due to her asthma.

Specific chiropractic adjusting was begun in multiple areas of her spine where problems were found from the examination. About a month and a half into her care, a follow-up postural analysis was performed that showed improvement in the girl’s spine. Surface EMG studies, as well as follow up x-rays, also showed improvement as care progressed. Pulmonary function also showed significant improvement when measured.

The girl’s asthma was completely resolved as a result of the care. This was a significant improvement as her asthma had previously kept her out of school twice for six days at a time. Also, her allergies, which she had experienced since age three, were gone. Additionally, the girl’s dry skin and leg cramps that she would get after exercising were corrected.

In their conclusion the authors wrote, “This retrospective case study was an observation of an 11-year-old child with asthma, allergies, and abnormal posture/cervical curve that affected the quality of her life. While under chiropractic care…, the patient was able to discontinue all medication, demonstrated no further symptoms, and improved her cervical curve and posture, as well as normalizing her lung range.”

For more information and research, please read this health research report on Asthma and Chiropractic or this one on the importance of The Cervical Curve. To see if chiropractic care can help with your child’s asthma or allergies, or if you have asthma or allergies, call (512) 452-2525 to schedule today.

Resolution of Severe Chronic Asthma in an Infant Following Chiropractic Care

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Can Chiropractic Care Help Asthma?

On May 26, 2014, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published a case study documenting chiropractic helping a baby with severe and chronic asthma with chiropractic. The author of the study defines asthma as “…a respiratory system dysfunction, essentially an inflammation of the lungs which results in chronic breathing difficulty.”

The study records that about 7 million people between the ages of 5 and 14 have asthma in North America alone. According to the author, asthma in children is considered severe “…when any combination of chronic symptoms, acute severe exacerbations and persistent airflow limitation are present despite the prescription of multiple therapies.”

Resolution of Severe Chronic Asthma in an Infant Following Chiropractic Care | Pediatric Chiropractor Austin TXIn this case, a 19-month-old boy was brought to the chiropractor with breathing difficulties even after multiple other types of treatments were used. The baby boy was having constant breathing difficulties with episodes of severe difficulty occurring once or twice a week. He was given a diagnosis of severe asthma about two months before being brought in for chiropractic care.

The boy’s history showed that he first developed breathing difficulties at 9 months of age. He was initially diagnosed with upper respiratory infection and middle ear infection, and was given antibiotics which did not help his breathing. By the age of 12 months, his problem was severe enough that he had to be treated at the hospital ER for for acute respiratory distress.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included muscular, postural, and spinal observations for distortions, as well as positioning. Specific x-rays were taken of the upper neck to obtain exact measurements of the top vertebrae in the neck. From the exam process, it was determined that subluxation was present in the upper-most area of the neck. Specific adjustments were performed on the boy’s neck to correct the subluxation. The boy was seen 18 times over a seven month period with specific adjustments being administered as needed.

The study results report that positive changes were noticed both by the parents and the doctor on the boy’s visits. It was recorded that after 8 days, the boy’s breathing difficulties started to improve. After five weeks of chiropractic care, his wheezing episodes were reduced to only once per week.  After 9 weeks of care, the boy’s breathing problems seemed to be completely been corrected as no further episodes of wheezing, coughing, or difficult breathing were reported.

In the study conclusion, the author wrote, “In this case, there is evidence to indicate that chiropractic adjusting of the cervical spine is effective for the reduction of the symptoms of severe chronic asthma in a pediatric case.”

For more information and research, please read this health research report on Asthma and Chiropractic. To see if chiropractic care can help with your child’s asthma, or if you have asthma, call (512) 452-2525 to schedule today.

Babies Exposed to Allergens and Bacteria May Have Less Allergies as Children

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How Does Asthma Develop? Can Chiropractic Help With Asthma?

The headline above comes from a June 8, 2014, article in the Science World Report. The article is based on research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology titled The Urban Environment and Childhood Asthma (URECA). This study released on June 6, 2014, found that children with exposure to various bacteria and allergens in the first year of life have increased protection against allergic diseases and wheezing.

Babies Exposed to Allergens and Bacteria May Have Less Allergies as Children | Austin TX Pediatric ChiropractorAs asthma is more prevalent in the inner city, URECA research sought to find factors responsible for the disease by studying 560 children from birth to three years that lived in the cities of Baltimore, New York, St. Louis, and Boston. Each child had at least one asthmatic parent which places the child at high risk for development of the disease.

Wheezing and sensitivity to common allergens during the early years of a child’s life are indicators of developing asthma. The study measured wheezing occurrences and exposure levels to the common allergens of mouse, dust mite, cat, cockroach, and dog.

“Surprisingly, it turns out that exposure to cockroach, mouse and cat during the first year of life was associated with a lower risk of recurrent wheezing by age three. These findings show that early exposure may actually prevent problems later in life,” according to Science World Report author Catherine Griffin in her article.

Findings in a smaller study by URECA tested whether bacteria in house dust increased risk for asthma. Again, researchers were surprised that children with no allergen sensitivity or wheezing at age three were more probable to have had a high level of exposure to allergens and a greater variety of bacteria.

Homer Boushey, MD, a professor of medicine and an asthma expert at University of California San Francisco, was part of the URECA study and commented on the findings saying, “Strict avoidance of allergens to lower asthma risk has been unsuccessful. Maybe permitting allergen exposures, with increased exposure to the sources of certain microbes, might be more successful in reducing asthma risk.” He continued, “If confirmed by other studies, these findings might even have us think of returning to the patterns of exposure of the 1940’s, when families were larger, food was less processed and sterilized, and children spent a lot of their time outdoors.”

To see if chiropractic care can help with your asthma or asthma of your child, call (512) 452-2525 to schedule today. For more information and research, please read this health research report on Asthma and Chiropractic.