Asthma is a respiratory condition noted by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, making it difficult to breath. Generally it’s a result of an allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity. The respiratory pathways can become inflamed and can narrow due to swelling and excess mucous.  

“Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing early in the morning and at night.  If you have asthma, you have it all the time, but you will have asthma attacks only when something bothers your lungs”.                       

                                                                                                – Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

Asthma can be a debilitating disease, and typically requires medication, carrying a rescue inhaler so Asthma sufferers are prepared for emergencies at all times, and even refraining from activities they enjoy. The human body has innate mechanisms that are designed to protect and keep the body functioning as close to 100% as possible at all times.  The human body is extremely capable of taking care of almost anything we come in contact with or stresses we put our bodies under. When we look at asthma and we see words like “hypersensitivity” and “allergic reaction” that means the body is not functioning the way that it was intended to.These are both signs that the nervous system are not functioning at an optimal level. When we have one or more subluxations present, we can start to see signs of hyperactivity of the nervous system and body. A subluxation is simply a misalignment of the spine causing stress on the nervous system. Sometimes it can result in the slowing down of the bodies normal mechanisms.

Chiropractic does not seek to treat asthma. Chiropractic care is about locating the subluxations and stresses on your nervous system at the spinal levels of the lungs. When these subluxations are corrected your body can return to its normal function and ability to better heal itself. Chiropractic care fortifies our central nervous system decreasing the bodies over-reaction to what are typical stresses and substances in our environment (allergens, pollutants, etc).  

With Chiropractic care some of the spinal adjustments that may help in asthma treatment are located in the cervical spine, at the very top of your spine where the C1 Atlas and C2 Axis vertebrae connect your spine to the skull.  Your smallest vertebrae reside here and are the throughway for all of the spinal cord and your body’s nerves.  

Additionally, the cervical spine that stretches down from the C1 to C7 vertebrae affect your organs and in particular your throat and sinuses, thyroid and lymph nodes. Triggering a positive response here can ease symptoms of asthma.  Another option is to receive a Chiropractic Adjustment to the center of the thoracic spine, levels T1-T12.

Many health problems are a direct result of spinal misalignments because vertebrae that are not aligned properly can irritate important nerves and restrict their effectiveness. The nerves coming out of the upper back innervate the lungs, and if these nerves aren’t functioning optimally they may make the lungs more sensitive to asthma triggers. There are numerous research studies that report chiropractic correction of spinal misalignments help reduce the symptoms of asthma.  

Chronic pediatric asthma and chiropractic spinal manipulation, a prospective clinical series and randomized clinical pilot study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2001;24(6):369-77. 36 patients aged 6 to 17 with chronic, mild or moderate asthma were observed over a 3 month period. They received either a true or “placebo / faux” adjustment. Those who received real chiropractic adjustments rated their quality of life substantially higher and their asthma severity substantially lower. These improvements were maintained at the 1-year follow-up assessment. There were no important changes in lung function or hyperresponsiveness at any time. 

Chiropractic Care of a Pediatric Patient with Asthma, Allergies, Chronic Colds & Vertebral Subluxation Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic 2009;   3: 1–7  A 7-year-old male was presented by his parents for chiropractic evaluation and possible care. The suffered from chronic colds, allergies, and asthma since the age of 5 months. At the time of initial evaluation, the patient was on a 1x/day dose of prescription Alavert for allergies and Albuterol for asthma. The patient was cared for using specific, low-force adjustments with the Activator Instrument to address areas of vertebral subluxation in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine. Within two weeks of initiating chiropractic care, the patient was able to discontinue his allergy and asthma medications (as decided upon by his parents) and the use of his nebulizer.

The practice a “whole body” approach serving patients that in order for your system to work correctly, it relies on normal communication from the brain to the spinal cord. Your central nervous system engages every organ of your body, traveling your spinal column and around your bones. This means keeping your central nervous system in good shape is necessary for optimal body function because if there is a misalignment in your body, it could be what is causing your asthmatic symptoms. Call me if you would like to have a deeper discussion on what is possible for your child.

About Dr. Kaminsky & Craniosacral Therapy

Having a Chiropractic background since the year 2000, Dr. Kaminsky offers many methods of treatment with an emphasis on Craniosacral Therapy in NYC.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a method focusing on the link between the cranium (head) and sacrum (the second to last bone at the base of your spine), scientifically proven to work in unison to pump fluid throughout the body, an unknown disruption of which can cause many health issues.  The craniosacral mechanism pumps vital fluid called cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) through the body and in a sense energetically lubricates the joints, tissues, organs; basically all cells of the body. It is the driving force of all your body’s systems of function; including maintaining the tone of your muscles.

The Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord) are surrounded with CSF generating energetic rhythmic impulses of fluid delicately pumping throughout your body’s parts “breathing” the movement of life. This measurable rhythm of moving fluid, like the heart rhythm, pulse rhythm, breathing rhythm is the foundational “blueprint” and primary principle of our real-time state of our health. 

Compromises of our rhythmic movements of fluid flow correlates to the impulse restrictions in the system which the body is unable to overcome or self-correct. This is the reason why we have “dis-ease”, symptoms, conditions, basically all ailments.  This is where the skill of an experienced craniosacral therapist becomes valuable.  By placing his or her hands on your body the practitioner can feel, detect, evaluate, and facilitate correction of these restrictive arrhythmic impulses.

The craniosacral therapist helps your rhythm restore and renew in compromised areas allowing for healing to take place of sensory, motor, musculoskeletal, neurological disorders, symptoms, conditions and pain.  To learn more, visit the other pages on this website. Call to schedule your healing treatment with Dr. Kaminsky.