Asthma is terribly common in school-aged children. Sometimes it only causes mild wheezing that's more a nuisance than anything, and other times it can lead to life-threatening attacks. Steroid medications can help reduce the frequency of asthma attacks or can stop an attack in its tracks, but most children do still suffer periodic attacks when using them. If you want to do more to help fend off asthma in a more permanent, natural way, consider taking your child to the chiropractor.

How can chiropractic care help treat asthma?

Asthma is, by and large, a malfunction of the immune system. The immune system is supposed to react to pathogens like bacteria and viruses by closing up the respiratory system so these particles can't be inhaled. In the case of asthma, your child's immune system reacts this way to things that are not actually dangerous – like pollen or exercise. And, the system tends to overreact, closing down the airways to the point that breathing becomes difficult or impossible.

Chiropractic care can help reduce the severity of asthma by addressing this malfunction of the immune system. Many times, misaligned vertebrae in the back place pressure on nerves related to the immune response. If your chiropractor adjusts the spine and alleviates this pressure, the immune system begins to function more normally, which can mean fewer asthma attacks are experienced.

How should you integrate chiropractic care into your child's treatment plan?

Do not just throw away the inhalers and decide you're using chiropractic care instead. It will take some time and a few adjustments before your child begins to see profound benefits, so you'll want these medications to keep symptoms in check in the meantime. If your child has an asthma attack, you'll still need to use a rescue inhaler, as failing to do so may have life-threatening consequences.

As your child continues to undergo regular chiropractic treatments, you should notice that he or she suffers fewer and fewer attacks. When the attacks seem to be gone completely, then you can talk to your pediatrician about stopping or reducing the dose of any asthma medications your child takes on a regular basis.

Does chiropractic care hurt?

In short, no. Your child may hear a popping noise when his or her vertebrae are moved back into place, but there should be no pain. That's one reason why this is such a great choice for treating kids' asthma. Your child may be a bit fearful of the chiropractor the first time, but once he or she realizes it feels good, he or she may begin actually looking forward to treatments. Consider making an appointment for your child at a clinic like SpineCare Chiropractic Daniel S. Wright, D.C.