Asthma and Chiropractic

Child uses inhaler outdoors

Can Chiropractic Improve Symptoms of Asthma?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of May 2018, 1 in 13 Americans have asthma, representing 26.5 million people. Of these 26.5 million, 6.1 million children and 20.4 million adults suffer from this chronic disease.

The annual costs of asthma to society are approximately $80 billion in the US alone This substantial amount includes medical expenses, missed school or work days, transportation expenses to medical appointments, and lost productivity. Effective clinical management of asthma continues to pose significant public health challenges to the patients and the U.S. healthcare delivery system.

Standard treatment for asthma consists of a variety of medications. The gold standard of treatment is inhaled corticosteroids. Asthma inhalers are so much a part of daily life that they appear regularly as hand-held props in television programming and in film. In these shows, the difficulty of the moment for the character is acted out by having the player pull out her or his inhaler and take a quick puff. Additional standard medications include long-acting beta agonists, which open the airways, and leukotriene modifiers such as montelukast (Singular), which help to prevent wheezing and shortness of breath. Short-term relief during an asthma attack may be provided by rapid-acting bronchodilators such as albuterol (ProAir and Ventolin).

The primary challenge of asthma is that it is a chronic condition. There is no real end-point of the disorder and there is no cure. For most people, asthma symptoms persist long-term and likely require life-long medication. As well, there are numerous side effects associated with medication usage. For example, side effects of leukotriene modifiers may include depression, hallucinations, and suicidal thinking. Use of long-acting beta antagonists may enhance the risk of a severe asthma attack. Side effects of albuterol may include headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, and sleep problems.

Importantly, regular chiropractic care is a key component of a comprehensive asthma management program. Chiropractic care detects and analyzes spinal joint dysfunction and associated nerve irritation and nerve interference that may contribute to the presence of asthma in a child or adult. As a chronic disorder, asthma has complex physiological causes and nerve interference may be a factor in the development of many, if not all, of these factors.

Next, chiropractic care corrects spinal dysfunction, helping to restore more normal spinal biomechanics and directly address the sources of nerve interference. Over time, regular chiropractic care helps to reduce the physiological stressors that are implicated in the symptoms of asthma and helps both children and adults obtain greater levels of long-term health and well-being.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Asthma Surveillance Data. https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/most_recent_data.htm, last updated May 2018

Tursynbek N, et al: The Economic Burden of Asthma in the United States, 2008–2013. Ann Am Thoracic Soc 15(3):348-356, 2018

McClafferty H: An overview of integrative therapies in asthma treatment. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 14(10):464, 2014

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Testimonials

  • "Regular visits with Dr. Roeder have significantly reduced the frequency of migraines I have suffered and the amount of neck and shoulder pain I have lived with for years. Because of Dr. Roeder I am able to focus on my busy life again"
    S.L., San Diego
  • "This was my first encounter with a chiropractor and found the experience to be delightful, gratifying and well worth it! Instead of being given a bunch of pills and told to come back next week, the manipulation for my back and side injuries including carpal tunnel syndrome, responded very well to the treatments. Thank you, Dr. Roeder for a job well done"
    W.B., San Diego
  • "I came in originally for neck pain, but getting adjusted helped lower my blood pressure & my insulin levels too.Dr. Roeder is so thorough in her care-I never knew how much better I could feel.I no longer have to take blood pressure medicine now."
    A.W., San Diego
  • "Since meeting Dr. Roeder at a health seminar, she has changed my life, drastically-improving my health 100%. I had a wide range of symptoms, including chronic fatigue, constant and severe headaches, body aches, nausea, difficulty concentrating and I felt extremely tired and weak. She diagnosed me with having Fibromyalgia and Candida. She put me on an anti-inflammatory diet and started me on chiropractic treatment and instructed me on strength exercises. I have lost 40 lbs and feel fantastic! Whenever I eat something that sets off a symptom, I can identify the food source now. I know how to eat well and stay away from foods that cause inflammation. Had it not been for Dr. Roeder's expert care, I believe I would still be suffering from all those symptoms-- instead I feel fantastic!"
    M.O., Spring Valley
  • "My son was diagnosed at a very young age with Hyperkyphosis. The doctor told us that surgery would be his only option but we needed to wait until he got older.My husband and I were heartbroken to think about such a major surgery for our little boy.We wanted to help him anyway we could without doing surgery. We are so thrilled to say that after seeing Dr. Roeder my son's back has made a major improvement.That there is a stronger chance that he may not need surgery after all.My son is three now and he is a very active little boy and you can't even tell that he had ever had a bad back.He is able to do what all little boys do:run, jump and climb!Taking my son to Dr. Roeder was the best decision that me and my husband have made as parents.I am so happy that Dr. Roeder is part of our lives.In fact all of my extended family members are patients of her too!Thank you so much Dr. Roeder for all of your help.You have been such a positive part of our lives.You are part of our family."
    G.C., San Diego
  • "My daughter has been diagnosed with Von Willabrand's and Precocious Puberty at age 7. She had her first period at age 8, and it was for three days. The doctors said that her hormone levels were off and there wasn't any truly safe treatment. After talking to Dr. Roeder, she started chiropractic care to help her body cope better with this disorder and hopefully change her hormones. Now my daughter and I have been told by doctors at Children's Hospital that it looks like she won't be starting her period until two years from now-this will be the normal time when she should start! They told us to keep up the good work of whatever we have been doing because it seems to be working."
    J.H., San Diego
  • "I got treated for a neck and back injury that appeared to be chronic following a major car accident. I had been to chiropractors before but without much success.After seeing Dr. Roeder now though, my mobility and general feeling of well-being has greatly improved."
    C.H., San Diego
  • "Dr. Roeder was recommended by a friend and I am completely satisfied. I was having low back pain also some neck pain. My back feels better than it has in years. I feel Dr. Roeder is complete in recommending exercising and treatment!"
    M.L., San Diego
  • "I just wanted to say thank you for making me 'new' again. Also, for helping us through our tough times. You always have been nice to us and helpful when we were in your office-it was just like a second home! Every time I walked through the door I felt calm and relaxed. You always asked us how we were doing and how we have been. I thought that was very thoughtful and caring of you-especially considering that awful car accident we had been in. None of my doctors before had been as courteous as you. You have really made a bad experience into a great experience in a blink of an eye. I always loved that EVERYONE was always smiling! I wish that when I grow up I can be like you, always making people happy and feel better! Well, I think that you just made another patient happy because of your wonderful 'magic.' Oh and I know I already said this but I think I am speaking for everyone when I say: Thank you Dr. Roeder!"
    J.F., San Diego (pediatric patient)