The Power of an Adjustment...boosts immunity!

As I See It…

I’ve experienced it first hand, and so have my patients. Many of those adjusted report that since being under regular chiropractic care, they seem to be able to fight the colds and flus that their friends and family are getting; if they do get sick, their symptoms are less severe. It seems that chiropractic adjustments boost the immune system. There is more to this claim than anecdotal reports. There is scientific research.

The Science Behind It…

• Spinal “disturbances,” called subluxations, exaggerate sympathetic activity, otherwise referred to as, the fight or flight response, which alters immune function in a negative way. When the subluxation is reduced through chiropractic adjustments, sympathetic activity is reduced, and the immune system is free to work more efficiently at defending our bodies against bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa that can make us sick or diseased. (1,2,3)
• The nervous, immune and endocrine systems share messenger molecules that allow for communication between these three systems. One of these messenger molecules is IL-2. IL-2 and T-cells, both of which are key players in the immune system’s army of cells, are increased following a chiropractic adjustment. (4) This recent study concludes that a chiropractic adjustment can influence the biological immune response in a positive way.
• White blood cells, which eat and destroy bad cells, are enhanced through chiropractic adjustments. (5)
• HIV patients adjusted over a six-month period showed a 48% increase in CD4 cells in compared to an 8% decrease in the control group over the same period of time. CD4 cells are important immunoglobulins that play a critical role in HIV and AIDS. (6)
• People who received regular chiropractic care over a five-year period had a 200% greater immune competence than those who had not received chiropractic care. (7)
• The idea that chiropractic care can help the immune system work better is not a new one. For example, Dr. Dan Murphy compiled data regarding the use of chiropractic care during the Influenza Epidemic of 1918. According to the statistics presented in this excerpt, influenza patients who were under chiropractic care rather than medical care during this epidemic had significantly higher survival rates. (8)

Your Action Plan…

If you or someone you know always seems to be sick, subluxation could be contributing to the problem – and the only way to find out, is to have your spine checked by a chiropractor!

Chiropractic care for maintenance of a strong immune system (in addition to improving overall health) is something that everyone can benefit from.

Call (519-204-9460) or email (lifehouselondon@gmail.com) for an appointment at LifeHouse Chiropractic.

References:

Felton DL, Felton SY, Belonged DL, et al. “Noradrenergic sympathetic neural interactions with the immune system: structure and function.” Immunol Rev. 1987 Dec; 100:225-60.
Korr IM: “Andrew Taylor Still memorial lecture: Research and Practice – a century later.” J Am Osteopathy Assoc 1974 73:362.
Murray DR, Irwin M, Reardon CA, et al. “Sympathetic and immune interactions during dynamic exercise. Mediation via a beta 2 – adrenergic-dependent mechanism.” Circulation 1992 86(1): 203.
Teodorczyk-Injeyan J, Injeyan HS, McGregor M, Harris G, Ruegg R. “Enhancement of in vitro interleukin-2 production in normal subjects following a single spinal manipulative treatment.” Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2008 May; 16:5.
Brennan P, Graham M, Triano J, Hondras M. “Enhanced phagocytic cell respiratory bursts induced by spinal manipulation: Potential Role of Substance P.” J Manip Physiolog Ther 1991; (14)7:399-400.
Selano JL, Hightower BC, Pfleger B, Feeley-Collins K, Grostic JD. “The Effects of Specific Upper Cervical Adjustments on the CD4 Counts of HIV Positive Patients.” The Chiro Research Journal; 3(1); 1994.
Pero R. “Medical Researcher Excited By CBSRF Project Results.” The Chiropractic Journal, August 1989; 32.
http://www.danmurphydc.com/Rhodes_Flu.pdf