With approximately 40 percent of people worldwide struggling with allergies, the demand for effective allergy treatments has never been higher. Unfortunately, there is still no magic bullet when it comes to treating allergies. While there are plenty of options out there, few are as effective as we would like them to be—and the ones that are effective often have side effects that can make them undesirable for long-term use.
Chiropractic care offers an attractive alternative to standard allergy treatments. By improving your overall health, chiropractic can help your body better cope with a world full of allergens both now and for years to come.
What are Allergies?
When the human body encounters a substance that it is allergic to, the immune system is triggered and attempts to attack the allergen in much the same way it would a substance that is truly harmful. The problem is, the allergen is not harmful in and of itself—but the immune system reaction can be harmful, or at least highly unpleasant.
For example, if you are allergic to pollen, your immune system will attempt to attack the pollen you inhale. Your body will produce immunoglobulin, leading to the release of histamines. The histamines that surge through your system cause blood vessels to dilate, fluid to increase in the space surrounding your cells, and your blood pressure to drop. A runny nose and sneezing typically follow, and symptoms can become even more extreme, like nausea and vomiting. It all seems like overkill for a bit of pollen, but there is little you can do to avoid it.
It is possible to be allergic to just about anything, but there are certain substances that are common allergens. These include:
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Pollen
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Mold
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Pet Dander
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Weeds
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Dust Mites
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Grass
Allergies and Chiropractic Care
Allergies are not something that can be cured, but they can be treated in a way that lessens their impact on your life. Standard medical care offers a variety of treatments for allergies, some more effective than others.
Many over-the-counter allergy medications are available, each with its own potential side effects. You can also seek an appointment with an allergy specialist, who can determine exactly what you are allergic to and offer stronger treatment options—but these also carry potential side effects, and as with over-the-counter options, may or may not be effective.
Improving Nervous System Function
Chiropractic care approaches allergies more holistically. One of the main ideas behind chiropractic is that the human body can heal itself in most cases if the conditions are right.
It is the job of your chiropractor to create the ideal conditions for healing. By optimizing spinal alignment, it is possible to improve nervous system function and thereby improve the body’s response to all types of stimuli—including allergens.
Lifestyle Advice
Chiropractic is about more than spinal adjustments. A holistic approach means optimizing every aspect of your health, which includes diet and exercise.
Your chiropractor can look closely at your diet and other lifestyle factors and help you identify changes that may lessen your allergy symptoms. By improving your diet and adding exercises that add strength and mobility, you will change the composition of your body in fundamental ways. These changes often lead to surprising improvements in the way you react to a variety of substances.
Schedule A Chiropractic Appointment
If you are suffering from allergy symptoms and you are tired of ineffective treatments and their unpleasant side effects, chiropractic care may be a perfect fit for you. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment with our Doctor of Chiropractic. Let us show you how much better chiropractic can make you feel.