Press
release distributed by the
World Chiropractic Alliance
Flu season wellness plan should include chiropractic care
The World Chiropractic
Alliance (WCA) is recommending that people of all ages add chiropractic to
their strategy for warding off and fighting the flu and its effects this
season.
Spinal adjustments can
have a positive effect on immune function, the WCA asserts, citing a growing
number of researchers who are exploring the common denominators in disease
processes, and the role of the nervous, immune, and hormonal systems in
development of immune related illnesses,
Chiropractic corrects
spinal abnormalities called vertebral subluxations that result in
interference of the nervous system by placing pressure on nerves. Since the
nervous system controls all functions of the body ‑‑ including the immune
system ‑‑ chiropractic care can have a positive effect on immune function,
WCA officials note.
"Contemporary research
is beginning to shed light on the neurobiological mechanisms which may
explain the outstanding clinical results chiropractors have experienced when
managing patients with viral and infectious diseases," stated Dr.
Christopher Kent, WCA Vice President.
Dr. Kent explained: "A
comprehensive review of the research literature reveals the current
understanding that the brain and immune system are the two major adaptive
systems in the body. During an immune response, the brain and the immune
system 'talk to each other' and this process is essential for maintaining
homeostasis or balance in the body."
Since its inception,
chiropractic has asserted that viruses and microbes don't threaten us all
equally and that a healthy immune system easily repels most invaders. The
immune system protects us from the flu, as well as any other infectious
disease, and strives to get us well again when we do fall ill. Our immune
system, like every other system in the body, is coordinated and controlled
by the nervous system.
Chiropractors are also
aware of the importance of positive health life style practices (rest,
drinking ample quantities of water, diet, exercise, proper food choices, use
of high potency multivitamins and minerals, and stress reduction approaches)
that can also positively influence the nervous system and immune response.
According to a large study of the chiropractic profession recently conducted
by the Institute for Social Research, Ohio Northern University (McDonald et
al., 2003), chiropractors also customarily advise their patients as to the
benefits of these other modalities in optimizing overall body function.
Chiropractors helping
patients battle the flu is not a new occurrence either. During the 1917‑18
influenza epidemic, which brought death and fear to many Americans, it has
been estimated that 20 million people died throughout the world, including
about 500,000 Americans. It was chiropractic's success in caring for flu
victims that led to the profession's licensure in many states.
Researchers reported
that in Davenport,
Iowa, out of the 93,590 patients treated by
medical doctors, there were 6,116 deaths ‑‑ a loss of one patient out of
every 15. Chiropractors at the Palmer School of Chiropractic adjusted 1,635
cases, with only one death. Outside Davenport, chiropractors in Iowa cared
for 4,735 cases with only six deaths ‑‑ one out of 866. During the same
epidemic, in Oklahoma, out of 3,490 flu patients under chiropractic care,
there were only seven deaths. Furthermore, chiropractors were called in 233
cases given up as lost after medical treatment, and reportedly saved all but
25. In another report covering 4,193 cases by 213 chiropractors 4,104 showed
complete recovery.
"These results are not
so surprising given what we now know about the interaction between the
nervous system and the immune system" stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, WCA Board
member and Editor of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. "Through
research we know that chiropractic has beneficial effects on immunoglobulins,
B‑lymphocytes (white blood cells), pulmonary function and other immune
system processes."
One such study,
conducted by Patricia Brennan Ph.D and her team, found that when a
chiropractic "manipulation" was applied to the middle back, the response of
polymorphonuclear neutrophils (white blood cells) taken from blood collected
15 minutes after the manipulation was significantly higher than blood
collected 15 minutes before and 30 and 45 minutes after the chiropractic
procedure. This research demonstrated an "enhanced respiratory burst"
following the chiropractic adjustment. This "burst" is needed for our immune
cells to destroy invading viruses and bacteria.
Another small study of
HIV positive patients was conducted to study the effects of specific
chiropractic adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations in the upper neck
on the immune systems of HIV positive individuals. Over the six‑month period
of the study, the group that did not receive chiropractic care experienced a
7.96% decrease in CD4 cell counts, while the adjusted group experienced a
48% increase in CD4 cell counts over the same period.
A large retrospective
study conducted by Dr. Robert Blanks and colleagues studied 2,818
individuals undergoing chiropractic care. These individuals reported an
average overall improvement, ranging from 7‑28%, in a battery of physical
symptoms including stiffness/lack of flexibility in the spine, physical
pain, fatigue, incidence of colds and flu, headaches, menstrual discomfort,
gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, dizziness and falls (Blanks et al.,
1997, Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research).
More importantly, the
incidence of colds and flu was reduced by an average of 15% in this large
population who were undergoing regular chiropractic care.
According to Dr. Terry
Rondberg, president of the World Chiropractic Alliance, "While we would love
to say we (chiropractors) figured this out, the truth is we didn't. We
simply take advantage of it to help our patients."
He added that, "In many
ways this is old news since the relationship between the nervous system and
the immune system was reported by the New York Times in 1993. According to
that article 'Scientists have found the first evidence of an anatomical
connection between the nervous system and the immune system. Nerve cell
endings in the skin and white blood cells of the immune system are in
intimate contact, and chemicals secreted by the nerves can shut down immune
system cells nearby.' Our health care system needs to catch up with the
research."
"I would recommend to
any person concerned about the upcoming flu season to add chiropractic to
their list of things to do to remove interference to their nervous system,
enhance their immune function and give their body every extra bit of
security it needs" stated Dr. Rondberg.
The World Chiropractic
Alliance (WCA), an international organization representing doctors of
chiropractic. WCA promotes the traditional, drug‑free and non‑invasive form
of chiropractic as a means of correcting vertebral subluxations that cause
nerve interference. The WCA is a NGO (Non‑Governmental Organization)
associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information.
For more information
visit the World Chiropractic Alliance's website at
http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org.
