We are entering the time of year when many people start the
annual battle with seasonal allergies, hay fever, asthma, etc. Some of the most
common springtime allergies in the Salt Lake City area are tree pollens like
cottonwood and maple, followed by wild grasses in early summer.
Many people feel it’s simply OK to have allergies. That it’s
quite normal to be allergic because so many other people are also afflicted.
That it’s OK to have a season for coughing, blowing, wheezing and sneezing.
It’s not.
Many parents don’t question why their children, or even
themselves, have allergies. It has just become an accepted fact of life.
Allergies seem to be a problem with no apparent solution. Why is that?
What makes one person allergic and another not? Why would one
be allergic to cats, dogs, fur, feathers, grasses, tree pollens or foods such
as peanut butter? We all live on the same planet. We’re all essentially the
same. If I took one individual with allergies and one without and boiled them
down to their essentials, I would end up with approximately 32 kilograms of
chemicals. The rest would be water, but the chemical composition would be the
same in both individuals.
The difference is most often seen in how one person's body is
able to adapt to his/her environment and another is not. So what is it in the
Salt Lake City area that’s causing your allergies?
Simply put, an allergy is the inability of your body to
handle something that is in their immediate environment–pollen from trees,
grasses, flowers or peanuts.
Our immune system is there to fight against viruses and
infection, help to keep the body performing at its peak, and also to help
dispel foreign contaminants that enter the body. A study from the University of California
found that signals from the nervous system may influence the function of the
immune system. When our body displays
signs of allergies, it’s because it detects the presence of a foreign object
such as dust, mites, pollen, etc. and it produces chemicals to neutralize and
expel the allergens. These chemicals are known as histamines. In the case of
allergies, the immune system overreacts to the presence of the allergens in the
body.
How can a Chiropractor
Help with Allergies?
Most traditional treatments for allergies, such as
antihistamines, only deal with managing the symptoms and don’t eliminate the
cause. The safety of anti-allergy medication is under debate, the long-term use
of antihistamines or combined with other medication may cause cancer. A study
conducted in lab rats with brand name anti-allergy medication found that
cancerous tumors in the rats grew much faster with the intake of
antihistamines. With all the concern over air quality in Salt Lake City, can
you afford another carcinogenic risk factor?
When most people start to sneeze or get watery eyes, the
first thought is often to pop an antihistamine pill. But did you know that
chiropractic adjustments can help you overcome your allergy problems? Most
people only associate chiropractors with back and neck pain, but we can also
help the body achieve optimum health by ensuring the spine is correctly
aligned.
Chiropractic care doesn't treat allergies directly. So, why
do so many people with allergies say they get relief from chiropractic
adjustments? The answer is simple. Chiropractic care releases stress on a
patient’s nervous system. This allows the immune system to operate more
effectively, which is beneficial to anyone and especially those suffering from
allergies.
At The Joint Cottonwood Heights in Salt Lake City, we can
help the body achieve optimal health and improve your quality of life. If you
or a family member suffers from allergies, call our office at 801.943.3163 or
just drop in for a chiropractic consultation and treatment.
- Dr. Brad Hendricks
