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New Jersey Chiropractic Treatment of Pediatric Asthma

Asthma in Children
Asthma is the most prevalent health condition among children. This chronic lung disease is a very serious health concern and can be a life threatening condition if not treated properly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines asthma as, “…a disease that affects your lungs. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing.” What does this mean for children? It means a frightening experience in which the smooth muscle cells in the bronchi constrict, airways become inflamed and swollen, and breathing becomes difficult.

A Widespread Problem
The statistics surrounding asthma occurrence in children are staggering; according to the CDC, there are seven million children in the U.S. currently suffering from asthma. This number means that over nine percent of the population’s children have asthma. Of these seven million kids, nearly a quarter of them make at least one trip to the emergency room every year. Fourteen million school days are lost each year to asthma symptoms.

Even worse, asthma can be fatal. While a 2006 study from the CDC reported that asthma death rates for children have steadily declined since 1999, even low mortality numbers are unacceptable, particularly since asthma deaths are largely preventable.

Traditional Medical Treatment for Asthma
One of the benefits of modern medicine is the ability to prevent the constriction to the breathing pathways through various medications. However, these medications do not come without side effects and potential adverse reactions.

The most common medications used to treat asthma in children are inhaled corticosteroids or leukotriene modifiers. Leukotrienes are generally used in children with milder symptoms, or in combination with corticosteroid treatments. Some possible side effects of corticosteroids are:

• Poor growth;
• Decreased bone density;
• Easy bruising;
• Adrenal gland suppression;
• Oral candidiasis (thrush); and
• Hoarseness.

For kids who require the use of these medications on a daily basis, even the most innocuous effects can have a major impact on quality of life. Furthermore, there are lower dosage limitations for kids on medications, which could mean worsening symptoms that may not always be treatable. Of course, as with all treatments, a risk/reward analysis must always be performed between the parent, doctor, and child to determine the correct course of action.

Holistic and Alternative Treatments in the Management of Asthma
Preliminary medical research has shown that chiropractic care for children may be an effective treatment in asthma. One of the benefits of alternative and holistic treatments is that there are little to no side effects or adverse reactions.

In one study, a seven-year-old boy was presented by his parents for chiropractic evaluation and possible care for his chronic colds, allergies, and asthma, which he had suffered from since the age of five months. These conditions caused him to miss one to two days of school on average each month, and forced him to visit a medical doctor on a monthly basis.

This young patient was treated with chiropractic intervention to address areas of vertebral subluxation in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine. After two weeks of starting treatment, the child was able to discontinue the use of allergy and asthma medication (Alavert and Albuterol) and the use of his nebulizer. Within five months, he required doctor visits solely for wellness checkups, and stopped missing school as a result of his initial symptoms.*

How Chiropractic Care Can Assist the Asthmatic Patient
Asthma may be affected by spinal misalignments that cause vertebrae to irritate important nerves that carry information from the brain to the lungs. When these nerves become irritated, they can disrupt normal communication between the brain and lungs, altering normal breathing function.

Nerves that regulate the diaphragm can have a profound effect on how well the respiratory system functions. When nervous system interference is removed through chiropractic adjustments, oftentimes breathing improves and there is a significant decrease in asthma symptoms.

Treatment for Asthma at Monmouth Spine and Rehabilitation Center
Alternative and holistic therapies, such as the chiropractic intervention offered at Monmouth Spine and Rehabilitation Center, can bring hope to those suffering from conditions not easily remedied by traditional medicine. While millions of children are living with the symptoms of this devastating disease, chiropractic therapy is a proven and safe option for these youngest of sufferers.

In addition to chiropractic care, Monmouth Spine and Rehabilitation Center offers a variety of modalities at our multidisciplinary wellness facility for the treatment of asthma. These modalities include acupuncture, vibration therapy, and low level laser therapy.

By reducing spinal stress, children with asthma (and other conditions such as colic, ear infections, and learning disabilities) have improved with chiropractic and holistic care. Monmouth Spine and Rehabilitation Center offers a complimentary consultation to determine how our services can help. If you or your pediatrician would like more information about the procedures that we utilize in the office, please give us a call.

* Documented in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health. 2009, 3:1-7.