It’s that time of year again. Winter has finally given way to the new life of spring, but all that blossoming life means not only beautiful colors but pollen. While this is a favorite season of many, for allergy sufferers it can mean the beginning of seasonal discomfort and anxiety. And it doesn’t stop at pollen, as the season advances and warms, spring rains introduce mold spores to the environment. Then, as Spring gives way to Summer, beloved pets shed their winter coats increasing the levels of dander in our homes.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), 5.2 million children and 19.2 million adults suffer from allergies. But, there is hope, and there is help. Read on to see how upper cervical chiropractic can help allergy sufferers to love spring again.
What are Seasonal Allergies?
Sometimes called “hay fever”, seasonal allergies (seasonal allergic rhinitis) are a collection of allergy symptoms that typically happen in the Spring when trees, grasses, flowers, and weeds release tiny pollen particles into the air to fertilize other plants.
Why Do Allergies Happen?
It boils down to a case of mistaken identity on the part of the immune system. For allergy sufferers, when they encounter pollen, spores, dander, or other natural “triggers” their immune system treats them as a pathogen and mistakenly goes into overdrive trying to attack the “invader”. Some of the tactics that the immune system uses when fighting the perceived intruder include the creation of antibodies, histamine, and the use of inflammation. All of which combine to induce the multitude of varied symptoms allergy sufferers face.
The Immune System, the Central Nervous System, and Your Upper Cervical Spine
After reading to this point, you know that allergic reactions are linked to abnormal responses in the immune system. The next step is to learn that much like the “hip bone is connected to the leg bone” the immune system is linked to the central nervous system (CNS). Within the human body, the CNS acts as the control center for your body’s immune responses, and the upper cervical spine is an extension of the CNS. Misalignments or vertebral subluxations in the upper cervical spine can disrupt communication from your CNS to your body leaving you more susceptible to experiencing allergy symptoms.
Fighting Allergies With Upper Cervical Care
The purpose of upper cervical chiropractic is to correct misalignments in the upper cervical spine, thereby opening up the pathways of brain-body communication, and keeping the CNS in peak functioning order. If you have an upper cervical misalignment, here are three ways it can affect CNS function:
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Drainage
Misalignment can affect how CSF drains potentially leading to pooling. CSF pooling can cause intracranial pressure which can lead to issues with proper brain function.
Cerebral Blood Flow
To function correctly, the brain requires the oxygen-rich blood transported via the vertebral arteries. Since the cervical spine facilitates this proper blood flow, it makes sense that a misaligned cervical spine can inhibit the proper flow of blood and the normal function of the CNS.
Brainstem Function
The topmost vertebra of the backbone called the atlas or C-1 encompasses the lower part of the brainstem. Because of this, even a slight misalignment, can place pressure on the brainstem. Since this is the part of the CNS that controls many of the involuntary functions in the body (i.e., breathing), anything that affects the proper function could lead to a cascade of issues.
How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Can Help
Your CNS, your immune system, and your cervical spine are so reliant on each other that research shows spinal cord injury patients are more prone to infections. Here at Atlas Specific, we don’t treat allergies, instead, we look for ways to restore your ability to adapt to allergens by locating and reducing disturbances to your CNS by correcting vertebral subluxations in your upper cervical spine. By correcting these misalignments in the upper cervical spine, we aim to improve blood flow, alleviate tension, and restore the flow of cerebrospinal fluid around the spinal cord and CNS. In many cases, this adjustment process can remedy abnormal responses in the immune system and reactivate the body’s natural healing processes, thereby alleviating or even eliminating allergy episodes.
If you or someone you know suffers from allergies contact us for a free consultation to see how we can help. You can visit our Durango office at 1800 E 3rd Ave #108, call us at 970.259.6803, or click the link below to schedule a free initial consultation.
Notice of Disclaimer:
We are doctors of upper cervical chiropractic, but we are NOT necessarily YOUR doctors. All content and information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and reading or interacting with this site does not establish any form of patient-doctor relationship. Although we strive to provide accurate information, the information presented here is not intended as a substitute for any kind of professional advice and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your particular area of need before making medical decisions.