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holistic practices chiropractic may help health problems from a(sthma) to w(hiplash) By Dr. John Fisher When most people think of chiropractors they think of “low back pain”. The truth is that chiropractic care is effective for the treatment of a number of common health problems. The purpose of most chiropractic care is to restore joint motion, reduce irritation to the nerves and thereby restore proper communication between the nervous system and the rest of the body. Asthma: There has been considerable research that documents the link between the spinal column, the nervous system and the respiratory system. In a study that looked at children with asthma who received chiropractic care the researchers found a 45% decease in the number of “attacks” and 31% of the patients voluntary chose to decrease their medication. Childhood Ear Infections: Many childhood ear infections are the result of fluid build-up and bacterial growth in the inner ear. Chiropractors have found that many of these children with inner ear fluid and infection have distortions in the neck area. The nerves that originate in the upper neck control the drainage of the inner ear. Correction of this “plumbing” issue keeps the fluid from building up; reducing the frequency of ear infections without the use of medications or surgery. Colic: Colic is defined as “unexplainable and uncontrollable crying in babies up to three months old, more than three hours per day, more than three days a week for three weeks or more, usually in the afternoon and evening”. These babies often have spinal distortions in the upper neck area, and are suffering from neck and head pain. A Danish and a South African study found a 93-94% success rate with the diagnosis of colic that underwent chiropractic care, with most infants having complete resolution of symptoms within two weeks. Disc Herniations: One of the more common views it that chiropractic care is effective for typical low back pain but to avoid such care if you have a disc herniation and/or pain that extends into the legs or arms. A number of research articles have shown that chiropractic care is safe and effective for patients with disc herniations with pain that radiates into the extremities. In cases where chiropractic is not an option, your chiropractic can refer you for an MRI or CT studies, physical therapy or another medical specialist. High Blood Pressure: A research study found that chiropractic care is effective in reducing certain types of high blood pressure. The researchers looked at nerve irritation in the upper neck and found that when nerve irritation was corrected, the patients’ blood pressure was reduced. Infertility: It is estimated that infertility affects more than six million couples in the United States. Now there is evidence that chiropractic care may prove beneficial to these couples. In a recent research study, 15 women who had been unable to conceive, some 10 years or longer, began regular chiropractic care. For 14 of these women, their ability to conceive improved dramatically, becoming pregnant and giving birth. Migraine Headaches: A migraine is a specific type of headache that is associated with severe pain, and a number of other symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and sensitivity to light or sound. There can be a number of causes for migraines, such as food allergies, chemical sensitivity, genetic factors and neck problems. In many cases, the cause for a patients’ migraine is pressure and irritation of the nerves in the upper neck. Research on migraine treatments have found that chiropractic adjustments are effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of migraines without the side effects of many of medications. Pregnancy: Some people raise their eyebrows when they hear about a pregnant woman receiving chiropractic care, but there are numerous benefits. As the fetus develops it can place pressure on the nerves of the low back, resulting in pain that can radiate down into the legs. Chiropractic care can help restore proper motion in the pelvis and reduce the pressure on the nerves. Proper alignment of the pelvis supports the growing uterus and allows maximum room for the baby to grow. Many chiropractors are trained in the Webster technique, which uses gentle adjustments to help a baby assume the best possible position for a safe delivery, and in many cases avoid a Caesarian section. Whiplash: A whiplash injury can occur even during a low speed impact of an automobile with little or no property damage. The injury to the neck can include damage to the nerves, ligaments and muscles. In addition to neck pain, headaches, arm or hand pain, difficulty sleeping, and low back pain are some of the most common complaints that occur with a whiplash injury. There are a number of research articles that show that a whiplash injury can result in neck pain, premature arthritis and other problems years after the initial injury. Chiropractic care is the best at treating these types of injuries.
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Dr. John Fisher, DC of