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Chronic Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, the major air passages of the lungs.
While asthma is a chronic condition, causing repeated episodes of airway narrowing, bronchitis involves the irritation of mucus membranes lining the airways. It can be acute and short lived, or chronic, especially for those who smoke cigarettes. Acute bronchitis is a viral affliction that lasts for a short period of time defined by an unproductive cough and will usually resolve itself in a matter of weeks. Chronic bronchitis is often called smoker’s cough and is more serious, causing permanent airway damage.
As with asthma, chiropractic is not a direct treatment for bronchitis. However there are some key links between the spine and respiratory system:
- Vertebral subluxation interferes with nerves that control both the diaphragm and accessory muscles.
- Muscle spasms occur which cause inflammation of the lung tissue
- Subluxation prevents the lymphatic system from draining harmful material which could be contributing to your condition.
Adjustments correct the subluxation, allowing the nerves to function unhindered, the lymphatic system to drain properly and breathing muscles to do what they do best.
Chiropractic’s role in fighting bronchitis is focused on boosting your nervous system and strengthening your body against viruses that may exacerbate your condition. With the cessation of inhaling harmful substances, the body will begin its recovery process. Our role for sufferers of bronchitis in Houston is to give the body its best chances of a speedy recovery.
Call our office at 713-862-2440.
Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C.
Asthma
Another respiratory condition that is on the rise in the U.S. is asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs.
The pathways that carry air into and out of the lungs become inflamed and full of thick mucus while the muscles surrounding these airways tighten, narrowing the lungs further. This causes symptoms including coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing. Asthmatic symptoms are intermittent, but sufferers know that the next attack could be just around the corner.
Chiropractic is not a direct treatment for asthma; that is, we do not proclaim to offer a cure for such a complex condition. However, because the causes of asthma are so wide ranging, it is worth considering treatments that offer a chance of reducing the severity and frequency of attacks. Here’s how chiropractic helps asthma sufferers:
- Realignment of the spine, particularly the C3-C5 vertebrae which when misaligned can impinge on the nerves that compose the phrenic nerve. The phrenic nerve is the power source for the diaphragm, the main muscle used in breathing.
- Improving nerve function to the accessory muscles used in the breathing process. This means more air brought in and fluidly expelled, without the interference of inflamed airways.
- Realigning the thoracic spine, allowing the chest cavity to acquire and expel air properly.
Call our office at Holmes Chiropractic at 713-862-2440 to find out how we can make great improvements on the severity of your asthma symptoms.
Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C.
Upper Respiratory Infections
Upper respiratory infections are of a group that includes sinusitis, bronchitis, influenza and the common cold. Though rarely life threatening, these conditions make breathing, one of our most critical biological processes, difficult. There are many lifestyle factors within your control: choosing not to smoke, exercising and eating a healthy diet, and staying hydrated. There are also lifestyle choices at your disposal: using an air purifier, using appropriate herbs and inhalation/vaporization to clear the airways. However, to balance this equation, there are equally as many external aggravators: second-hand smoke, mold and exposure to pollution and allergens are among the most common. Sometimes it may feel like the environment is undoing all your good work.
At Holmes Chiropractic, we treat chronic respiratory infections by looking at their underlying cause. The logic relies on a core chiropractic principle: that subluxations are a hindrance to the immune system. As an integral member of the immune system, the lymphatic system is responsible for a process known as phagocytosis in which harmful antigens are detected, destroyed, and disposed of through lymph drainage. Anything preventing the lymphatic system from achieving this heroic process would be providing harmful bacteria and viruses a reprieve to linger in the affected person’s airways. Subluxation could be impeding your lymphatic system from disposing of the agents that are causing your respiratory infection.
At our office in Houston, we look at the cervical spine as a particular region of interest when treating sufferers of respiratory infection. Subluxations in the neck create spasms, which restrict muscular movement and create a counterproductive situation in which it is difficult for the body to remove infection-causing agents from the respiratory network. Correct subluxation and let your lymph flow by calling our office at 713-862-2440 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C.
Respiratory Health and Chiropractic
At Holmes Chiropractic, we view the spine as the key to overall well being. As the pathway for nerve signaling throughout the body, maintaining its health is imperative: when the spine is allowed to remain out of alignment, the brain and body experience communication breakdown. By ensuring that the nervous system is working at full capacity, we can positively impact a number of health issues. One issue that responds well to chiropractic treatment is asthma, a respiratory condition that affects the airways. Asthma is paroxysmal in nature: it comes on in torrents and common symptoms include: wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and a tight chest.
Can texting create a pain in your neck?
Text messaging has emerged as one of America’s primary forms of communication, especially among younger generations. This is unfortunate for the spine, a structure which was not designed to engage with a pocket computer for prolonged periods of time. At Holmes Chiropractic, we are watching the text message take its toll on the 21st century’s most avid communicators. Overuse of a cell phone poses a postural problem: the severe angle that the head takes in order to send and receive messages is putting excess stress on the neck and shoulder muscles.
Chiropractic for Kids
Why do we set such store by keeping up the health of our children’s teeth but not their musculoskeletal health? It is an interesting paradox when you consider that many spinal problems begin in childhood and intensify with age. As a child grows and learns to participate in the human experience, their spine begins its navigation through the daily wears and tears of life. A structure that is used for every movement and action should be maintained with regular check ups.
How Can Chiropractic Help Ear Infections?
Dr.Christopher J. Colloca
Description:
In this video, Dr. Colloca explains how nerve interference in the neck can lead to functional problems in the ear resulting in ear infections. He further explains how chiropractic can then help.
Background:
Dr. Christopher J. Colloca directs a full time chiropractic practice and clinical research facility in Phoenix, Arizona. He founded Neuromechanical Innovations with an aim to revolutionize chiropractic practice infusing clinical excellence derived from evidenced-based practice and research in its products and services for the doctor of chiropractic. He holds postgraduate faculty appointments in five chiropractic colleges. His original research has been presented at several international scientific conferences and published in several biomedical and professional journals. He has lectured extensively throughout the United States, and around the world, providing hundreds of post-graduate educational seminars for thousands of doctors of chiropractic.
How Do Children Get Subluxations?
Dr.Claudia Anrig
Description:
This video discusses how children are very susceptible to subluxations. Dr Anrig explains how easily children can experience trauma that creates problems in the spine resulting in subluxations.
Background:
Dr. Claudia Anrig has been a practicing chiropractor in Fresno, California for over 20 years. She is co-founder of Peter Pan Potential, the first comprehensive pediatric program for the Chiropractic profession. She is the past president of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association www.icpa4kids.com. Dr. Anrig is a noted lecturer in the area of pediatric chiropractic. She has recently edited the textbook, Pediatric Chiropractic. This textbook is the fastest selling book in the history of the chiropractic profession.