Have you ever felt short of breath on a short run on a brisk day?  Keep reading!  Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which leads to wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. At Chicago Chiropractic we meet patients all the time who suffer from asthma and other similarly related symptoms. Despite advances in the medical treatment of asthma, the prevalence of sufferers has been increasing since the 1970s. 

When we breathe, many muscles are used to expand the chest cavity to bring air into the body, including the diaphragm and intercostal muscles between the ribs.  With all of the muscle movement involved in breathing, it is not surprising that any tightness in the upper body caused by injury will have an adverse effect effectiveness of breathing. Slight amounts of muscular tension and spinal misalignment may go unnoticed in a healthy person, but for someone with already restricted breathing, any further obstacle to taking a breath adds to the difficulty in bringing sufficient oxygen into the body.

CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT for asthma uses traditional chiropractic methods of manipulation and soft tissue massage in order to increase the mobility of the ribs and reduce any postural problems and tension that might obstruct the breathing process. Healthy spinal function, which is one of the aims and benefits of chiropractic care, also reduces stress and low energy, which is known to be a trigger that worsens asthma symptoms and which may lead to an asthma ‘attack’ (the acute exacerbation of symptoms typically experienced as chest tightness and fighting for breath). Dr. Kauf can also offer advice on exercises and lifestyle choices to promote healthy breathing and reduce asthma symptoms.

As chiropractic treatment is a holistic therapy, it helps to restore health to the whole body and not just the back and spine. This is especially true in the case of conditions such as asthma, in which postural problems and muscle tension can adversely affect the breathing process and exacerbate existing symptoms.