Vancouver chiropractor Dr. Troy Dreiling provides chiropractic treatment for your asthma symptoms. Our office is located in Vancouver near Andresen and Fourth Plain Blvd. Call us to schedule a free consultation.
Video Transcription
Dr. Troy here, the Vancouver chiropractor on the corner of Andresen and Fourth Plain.
Asthma and breathing issue are more and more popular now more than ever as people seek help for. I want to explain how we might be able to help you and what asthma is
Some people have difficulty breathing. They will wheeze or have tightness in their chest. It is very common to see this. I see this a lot after motor vehicle accidents, they could have seat belt injuries. You can be susceptible to pollins and toxins in your environment so those things need to be removed.
One of the big factors is the nerve system. Your nerve system controls functionality of your lungs. We know the upper cervical, the vagus nerve, has a direct line to the lungs, if that is irritated that could throw off the functionality of your lungs. This causes you not to breathe as good or to weeze. A lot of people have trouble catching their breath so they are on different medications.
I have had great success with helping people’s lungs function better. How we look for that is we look to see if the vertebra is out of alignment in the spine, many times it’s the upper cervical. Also you can see it in the mid back, we call it the sympathetic connection to the lungs in the mid back. You have two branches of your nerve system, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic, so when those two get out of balance, our body isn’t able to regulate itself properly.
We look to determine if there is a misalignment in the spine. We use examination, posture, we can sometimes use thermal imaging x-rays to determine if there is a misalignment which may be causing you to suffer. If there is we will for certain be able to help you. We do a free consultation to determine if chiropractic is right for you.
This is Dr. Troy, Zenaptic Chiropractic.
More Information On Asthma & Chiropractic
In the U.S. alone, the number of asthma cases has been shown to have increased by over 60% since the early 1980s. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes the airways to narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus.
When this occurs, breathing can be extremely difficult, and coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing can be triggered. For some people, an asthma diagnosis is only a minor nuisance, but for others, it can lead to major problems that could interfere with daily life and may even result in a potentially fatal asthma attack.
Asthma Causes
The exact causes of asthma are not well understood, as the causes can vary from person to person. In many cases, the combination of genetic and environmental factors is at play. Exposure to certain irritants and allergens can trigger the symptoms and signs, and triggers may include:
- Physical activity, known as exercise-induced asthma
- Smoke and other air pollutants
- Airborne allergens like pet dander, pollen, dust mites, and mold
- Respiratory infections
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease, which causes stomach acid to back up into the throat
- Preservatives and sulfites found in certain foods and beverages, including beer, wine, processed potatoes, dried fruit, and shrimp
- Stress and strong emotions
Asthma Analysis and Treatment
To test for asthma, you doctor will need to rule out other potential conditions that could affect your breathing, such as COPD or a respiratory infection, so a physical exam will be conducted. You may also be given pulmonary function tests to better understand how much air you move in and out of your lungs as you breathe, including:
- Peak flow. The peak flow meter is used to measure how hard you are able to breathe out. Low readings can be a sign that your lungs aren’t working as well as they should be, and they can indicate worsening of your asthma.
- Spirometry. This test will estimate how much your bronchial tubes have narrowed by checking the amount of air you are able to exhale after you take a deep breath. It will also measure how fast you are able to breathe out.
Long-term control and prevention are essential in preventing asthma attacks. Most treatment methods will involve learning to recognize potential triggers and taking the proper steps to avoid them. However, if you experience an asthma flare-up, you may need to have access to a quick-relief inhaler like albuterol.
Long-term asthma control medications are also essential for asthma treatment. These medications are taken daily and will keep asthma under control, reducing the risk of suffering from an asthma attack. Inhaled corticoseroids, long-acting beta agonists, and combination inhalers are most commonly prescribed, and quick-relief or rescue medications may also be needed to provide relief when you are experiencing an asthma attack.
Asthma and Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment can also be useful in the treatment of asthma, as chiropractors can provide a full-scale evaluation to patients with asthma in order to assess their lifestyle, stressors, diet, and neurological and physical status. Spinal manipulation can also be extremely beneficial, as spinal subluxations can be a major component to asthma, preventing the body from self-repair by impinging on the neurological flow.
Chiropractors can make a great addition to the healthcare team that treats an asthma patient. In addition to spinal manipulations, chiropractic treatment can be useful in treating asthma patients in other ways. Chiropractors can help asthma patients to improve motor coordination and the work of the gut and respiratory muscles to increase quality of life.
Additionally, poor posture can also be a contributor to the symptoms of asthma. Today’s generation is constantly glued to their smartphones, computers, and tablets, which can cause their postures to suffer, resulting in slight to severe spinal misalignments. Most people don’t realize the harmful effects that their poor posture can have on their overall health, as even the slightest pressure being placed onto the nerves can cause pain and issues with the proper function of the vital organs. Regular corrective care from a chiropractor has been shown to eliminate spinal misalignment, which can restore the function and nerve flow energy to critical organs, including the lungs.
Asthma FAQ
Are there other tips that can help me to control my asthma?
If you are working to better control your asthma, try some of the following strategies:
- Cover pillows and mattresses with dust covers and use hypoallergenic bedding to reduce your exposure to dust mites
- Use air filters to improve the air quality of your home
- If you suffer from exercise-induced asthma, your chiropractor can help you to create a unique exercise program.
- Avoid foods with MSG and sulfites
- Choose a diet that is more vegetarian-based, as the animal proteins that are found in meat contain arachidonic acid, which is a precursor to inflammation
- Take a vitamin C supplement, which can reduce wheezing and allergic reactions
Will chiropractic treatment cure my asthma?
Chiropractic care and other treatment options can help to improve asthma symptoms and the frequency of attacks, but as a disease, asthma isn’t curable. Children may be able to outgrow the disease, but exposure to a major respiratory irritant later in life could trigger symptoms to return.
Summary
Chiropractic treatment can be a great addition to your asthma treatment and prevention plan, and we can provide chiropractic adjustments and other therapies to help improve your asthma symptoms.
If you are suffering from asthma, find out how we may be able to help you by setting up your FREE consultation. We are dedicated to improving the health and well being of our Portland and Vancouver area patients. Simply call our office and get started toward better health today!
