Technique & Analysis
Childhood Asthma: A
Chiropractic Case Study
By Jennifer Peet, D.C., F.I.C.A.
Nearly 40 million Americans, that’s 25 percent of the total population,
suffer from asthma and other allergy diseases. In an asthma attack the child or
adult, respond similarly with severe congestion, swelling and other allergic type
reactions in response to various irritants. As the reaction progresses, breathing
becomes more difficult and in some cases life threatening. The bronchioles swell
with mucous, and go into spasm. This closes the airways and causes the asthmatic
to wheeze and gasp for air.
Although the traditional methods for controlling asthma and allergies are numerous,
sickness and death from asthma appear to be increasing. The New England Journal
of Medicine stated in an article, that this trend is at least partially due to
side effects from regular use of inhaled medications.1
These medications usually include steroids. This is of great concern to many parents.
A New Approach
In a recent study, children with asthma, showed an overall improvement in the
lung capacity after only 15 chiropractic adjustments.2
Another study by Graham and Pistolese followed 81 children and reported significantly
lower respiratory impairment in 90.1 percent of the subjects 60 days after chiropractic
care in comparison to their pre-chiropractic scores. In addition, 30.9 percent
of the children voluntarily decreased their dosage of medication by an average
of 66.5 percent while under chiropractic care.3
There is ample research documenting the intimate connection between the spinal
column, the nervous system, and the respiratory system. Vertebral subluxations
in the neck and upper back can produce associated muscles spasms, which cause
a restriction and stasis of the lymphatic drainage from the head and neck. As
a result the body is unable to wash out the bacteria, mold and foreign material
to which it is exposed. As this vital process is slowed, the phagocytic activity
within the lymphatic chain (drainage of mold, bacteria, etc.) is interrupted and
invasion of the offending allergen multiplies and causes an allergic reaction.
The vitalistic approach of chiropractic adjustments in many cases will produce
immediate relaxation of the neck musculature which was obstructing the lymphatic
(neck) drainage. If the lymphatic system is able to wash the offending allergen
out before it causes an allergic response fewer symptoms are experienced. The
adjustments improve respiratory function by restoring normal nerve function, which
in turn may result in symptomatic improvement in upper respiratory infections
(URI) and asthma.
In several studies researchers found spinal adjustments to give superior respiratory
function and chest mobility when compared to conventional medical bronchodilators,
expectorants, and corticosteroids.4,5,6,7,8,9
Various symptoms of abnormal respiratory function may improve clinically with
chiropractic adjustments.
Chiropractic Case Study
This case study involves a 15-month-old male child who was brought into the author’s
chiropractic office by his father. He stated the child had suffered health problems
from birth. Birth history was uneventful, although it was a hospital birth. Asthma
was diagnosed by the child’s pediatrician at 6 months of age. The child
also had a history of reoccurring ear infections since 10 months old. Medications
for both asthma and URI had been used since that time as needed to help control
the symptoms. On the first visit the child had an ear infection which started
10 days previously and was on an antibiotic, amoxicilin. The father stated that
the normal course of any infection would be followed by an asthmatic episode.
Chiropractic and Analysis and Corrective Care
Chiropractic analysis determined that the infant had vertebral subluxations of
the cervical spine. Specific adjusting procedures were performed using the Chiropractic
Biophysics Technique developed by Don Harrison, Ph.D., D.C.
Results: After three chiropractic adjustments over an eight-day span the child’s
URI and asthma symptoms resolved. Visually the tympanic membranes appeared normal
along with the inside of the ear canal. His breathing appeared normal and he was
at a normal activity level. He continued with corrective chiropractic care to
further reduce his vertebral subluxations and improve his overall nervous system
function.
During a routine visit one month later his father stated that his son had thrown
a tantrum during which he banged his head on the floor. The next day the child
started to show symptoms of nasal congestion. Chiropractic analysis revealed cervical
subluxations and three follow up adjustments were needed to correct the spinal
alignment. The nasal symptoms lasted almost two weeks, but did not result in an
ear infection or asthma. This was the first time since 6 months of age that an
URI did not result in an asthma attack.
Ten weeks into his care, a chiropractic analysis measured a significant reduction
in his vertebral subluxations. This progress examination reviewed postural deviations
along with radiograhic measurements and compared the findings to the initial examination
findings.
Now seven months later, the child enjoys good health having experienced no other
infection or asthmatic episode in that time. He was released to wellness care.
Conclusions
Chiropractic care in this specific case, significantly decreased the patient’s
symptoms of URI and asthmatic episodes. The child appears energetic and healthy.
The reduction of the subluxation complexes located in his cervical spine as indicated
by postural abnormalities, radiographs and spinal analysis, directly correlated
with the patients symptomatic improvements.
Parents should be encouraged to have their children checked for vertebral subluxations
that may be causing symptoms of asthma.
References
1. Spitzer, W.O.; Suissa, S.; Ernst, P: The use of Beta-Agonist and The Risk Of
Death and Near Death From Asthma. The New England Journal Of Medicine, Feb. 20,
1992.
2. Peet, J.B.; Marko, S; Piekarcyzk, W: A Pilot study of children under age 12
with asthma response to chiropractic care. Journal of Chiropractic Pediatrics,
June 1993.
3. Graham,RL and Pistolese RA. An impairment rating analysis of asthmatic children
under chiropractic care. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, Vol. 1, No.
4, 1997.
4. Kaluza, C., and Sherbin, M.: The Physiologic Response of the Nose to Osteopathic
Manipulative Treatment. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, May 1983.
Factor in the Management of Upper, Middle and Pararespiratory Infections.”
Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, February, 1982, p. 238.6.
5. Korr, Irving, Ph. D.: Proprioceptors and Somatic Dysfunction. American Academy
of Osteopathy, 1975, 200-207.
6. Howell, A: The Influence of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy in the Management
of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
(74: pp. 757-760, 1975).
7. Melin G, Harajula R.: Lung Function in Relation to Thoracic Spinal Mobility
and Kyphosis. Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitative Medicine, 1987; 19: 89-102.
8. Miller WD, D.O.: Treatment of Visceral Disorders by Manipulative Therapy. 1975.
9. Purse F.M.: Manipulative Therapy of Upper Respiratory Infections in Children.
Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 65: pp. 964-971, 1966.
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