Chiropractic, The Flu and You

No doubt, the flu epidemic has been a pretty major topic these days. You can hardly take a breath without reading about it, hearing about it, seeing it on TV or...just plain seeing it right in front of you. People everywhere are sneezing, coughing, sputtering, gasping...makes you want to hold your breath, stuff your hands deep in your pockets and hide away in your closet until next spring! But, unfortunately, that just isn't reality. We have to face it, germs are everywhere and we need to pay attention as to how best to protect ourselves from becoming infected by them and/or transmitting them to others.

My sister-in-law, a very successful and VERY intelligent physical therapist, emailed me the other day with some light hearted ribbing about the flu related advertising her local chiropractors were running. She openly wondered exactly how a chiropractor would "adjust the flu out of someone" (her words) and how chiropractic treatment could possibly help "prevent contracting the flu" (their words). I laughed with her a bit and agreed that these statements seemed to be pretty far reaching. I further agreed that maybe this advertising could be a bit over the top and maybe should be toned down. There was a little more banter back and forth in the spirit of two people that obviously have some very different health care philosophies. However, we then had a more serious discussion about how this growing flu epidemic did indeed concern us both as individuals and as health practitioners responsible for the well being of so many others. As we parted ways in cyberspace though, my e-conversation with her wouldn't leave my mind. I couldn't help but be troubled with the view she took on conservative medicine's role in flu (general illness) prevention. Granted, I didn't step right up and throw out the stats and figures that I know exist in support of this idea either. Furthermore, I have no idea as to what context the local chiropractors are advertising this information. However, I can say that when shocking information like this is presented to a public that is unfamiliar with the background science, and immediate follow-up education is not also presented, it is doomed to be viewed in exactly the way my well educated sister-in-law perceived it...as hog wash.

So after some thought and deliberation, I have formulated my response to her posed questions...most quoting from a 2004 news release from the World Chiropractic Alliance. I guess you can say, "better late than never"...

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.

This same news release also goes on to say...

A large retrospective study conducted by Dr. Robert Blanks and colleagues studied 2818 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 out patients."

I could post a lot more but I think you get the point. In all reality, regular chiropractic treatment is a very good way to increase your immune function and allow your body to naturally fight the bugs that attempt to invade it. BUT, you have to play an active role in this fight too. Positive health life style practices must be followed (rest, drinking ample quantities of water, diet, exercise, proper food choices, use of high potency multivitamins and minerals... I recommend www.Vemma.com..., and stress reduction) are necessary to positively influence the nervous system and immune response.

And while I am at it, I have one more recommendation that I feel will drastically improve your chances of avoiding the flu this season. In fact, I think this product is so important that I have made its use by my staff mandatory and am also requesting that my patients use it upon every visit to our office. It is called Microdine...essentially a surgical grade hand sanitizer that is available over the counter through a doctor's office. And this isn't just any old hand sanitizer either! It has a 6 hour persistence...meaning that, once applied, it remains on your hands for about 6 hours killing better than 99% of the microbes it comes in contact with. It's iodine formulation meets the CDC's (Center for Disease Control) requirements for an effective destroyer of flu and H1N1 while its proprietary design is such that Microdine does not dry out your skin like other sanitizers of this magnitude do.

Considering that better than 90% of the germs that make us sick (including flu and H1N1) are transmitted by the hands, Microdine is a must have for everyone right now! For more information or to order Microdine, go to my website (listed in the column to the the right of this blog) and click on the "flu protection" tab on my home page. To get a discount on your first order, enter the code NHCHCFO in the coupon box of the checkout page.

So, can doing these things guarantee you won't catch one of the bugs going around this season? Of course not...but isn't every step that improves your chances of better health and germ resistance worth a try? In the end, the only one really responsible for your health, good or bad, is you. The evidence is there that chiropractic improves immune function and germ resistance. now it is up to you to act on it.

Until next time...Live Healthy!