7 Year-Old With Chronic Asthma Responds To Chiropractic Care
7 Year-Old With Chronic Asthma Responds To Chiropractic Care
The November 26, 2007 issue of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research reports on a
case study where a 7 year-old girl with chronic severe persistent asthma responded very
quickly to a course of chiropractic care.
Her mother reported that her symptoms began around the age of 2 and by 4 years of age she
was diagnosed with asthma. Almost anything from dust to cold drafts would trigger an asthma
attack.
She was taking oral medication twice a day and using 24 inhalations from three different
inhalers four times a day. Singulair, Claritin, Albuterol, Pulmicort, Tussi, Elidel, Nasonex,
Xopenex, Pred Atrovent, Advair, Crantex, Zantac, PhenerganW/Codeine, Histenex, Tussionex,
Tilade, and Theo 24 were being used to manage her chronic coughs and fevers. Even at this
level of medication she was unable to engage in any physical activity and experienced daily
attacks, nearly constant wheezing and coughing, a tight and heavy chest and approximately
five visits per year to the emergency room.
Previous research has shown that spinal subluxation involvement in the upper and lower
thoracic spine correlated with the reduction in forced expiratory volume (the amount of air a
person can force out) that is normally associated with asthma. This patient showed very high
levels of abnormal muscle function in these areas indicating spinal subluxations or
misalignments.
After her first adjustment, the patient's cough disappeared that evening. Over the next four
weeks, her attacks had stopped completely and her inhaler use decreased to 0 per day as
well. The wheezing, chest tightness and heaviness subsided and her mother reported that her
activity levels increased from only walking to participating in swimming and running sports.
Before beginning chiropractic care her lung function measured 54% of the normal for her
height and weight. At her last medical evaluation her lung function had improved 74% and
was now less than 5% below normal for her height and weight.
The patient is currently being seen 1-2 times per month on a wellness care basis. She has not
been sick or had an attack in more than 3 years.
Commentary: Three months after this patient began chiropractic care, her pediatrician was
elated at her progress and credited the medications. When he found out that the mother had
stopped giving her daughter many of the prescribed medications and had her under
chiropractic care, his disagreement with their decision forced them to find a new pediatrician.
Good for them! Concern for the patient should always override concern for the doctor's ego.