Chiropractic Care for Modern Allergy Management

Did you know that approximately 60 million people in the United States have allergy symptoms annually? The most common symptoms are runny nose, sneezing, and congestion.

Nearly half of all healthcare costs related to pollen allergies are prescription medications.

Unfortunately, medications are the gold standard treatment when it comes to allergies.

Are you wondering if there are other modern allergy management techniques out there? The short answer is - yes! Chiropractic care can do more than handle old sports injuries or bad backs.

Luckily, we have put together a complete guide on what allergies are and how a chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL, can help you, so keep reading for more information!

What Are Allergies?

If you find yourself sneezing non-stop once spring comes around, you aren't alone. Some of the worst places for seasonal allergies are:

• Pennsylvania
• Kansas
• Texas
• Virginia
• Oklahoma

Many parts of Utah and California are better suited for those prone to allergies. But what exactly are allergies, and why do they cause you to feel like you are constantly battling a cold?

Allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to pollen or other substances. Many people think of springtime flowers and trees causing most allergies. Yet, people can also experience allergic reactions to medications, substances, and even bee venom.

In the case of common allergies, your body reacts to stimuli it believes to be harmful. Your immune system will attack the foreign invader and release allergens.

These allergens trigger chemical reactions. One of these chemicals is histamine, which is one of the causes of some of the side effects you may have noticed, such as:

• Congestion
• Itchy eyes
• Runny nose
• Swollen eyes
• Coughing

In rarer cases, a person may have a severe allergic response that results in anaphylactic shock. This is a medical emergency since it affects your respiratory system and can cause loss of consciousness and changes in heart rate. 

Modern Allergy Management

Typically, allergy management starts with testing. These tests can include checking your skin or blood to determine exactly what you are allergic to. The best - and most obvious - treatment is to avoid whatever causes the allergen. 

This halts your overactive immune system and leaves you without negative symptoms. For seasonal allergy sufferers, this is not always feasible.

The next step is medication management. Unfortunately, most treatment options default to medication, with options such as:

• Antihistamines
• Corticosteroids 
• Decongestants
• Immunotherapy

Medications have side effects and can be cumbersome with daily use. Frequent trips to the doctor's office for immunotherapy treatments can quickly add up in costs. Instead, chiropractic care can do more than just realign your spine - it can also help manage allergies. 

Chiropractic Care For Allergy Management

Your nervous and immune systems work hand-in-hand for keeping homeostasis and managing stress. More specifically, your immune system also helps protect against external threats. Current research shows that the nervous system plays a critical role in allergy management. 

Mast cells - which play a critical role in the immune system response - are closely intertwined with nerve fibers and tissues. As mast cells communicate to neurons, they help regulate many neurophysiological effects. These can include sensory information, stress, and anxiety responses. 

Chiropractic care helps improve immune system function. Misaligned spines, which occur in a vast majority of the population, impact your nervous system.

When your nervous system is out of whack (so to speak), it negatively affects the neurophysiological pathways. Immense stress can also be a key indicator you need a spinal adjustment to help protect your immune and nervous system. 

Promoting Health and Wellness

The first step to managing your allergies will be consistent and regular spinal adjustments. Yet, the benefit of seeking chiropractic treatment is that you also receive access to whole-body wellness. Chiropractors are trained medical professionals that use research-based evidence for your health, including:

• Providing lifestyle and health education
• Using whole food supplements
• Weight loss consultation
• Prenatal care
• Exercises
• And more

The ultimate goal of a chiropractic session for allergy management is to reduce debilitating symptoms. It can also prevent flare-ups and promote long-term health.

You may receive advice on diet, supplements, exercises, stretches, and more. Implementing these health guidelines can help you reduce stress and cortisol levels. 

Before you roll your eyes over mental health and allergies, research has shown that stress can increase or trigger nasal allergies. During allergic reactions, researchers found that the corticotropin-releasing stress hormone was elevated. 

Corticotropin-releasing stress hormones release cortisol, which pushes the body into a fight-or-flight mode. They found that increased stress results in worse allergic reactions and vice versa. 

What Do the Studies Show?

Current studies have looked at how rats responded to chiropractic adjustments and allergic airway inflammation. What have experts found? People with allergic airway inflammation have lower diversity and density of gut microbiota. 

After chiropractic adjustments, the participants had increased density and diversity. In return, there was a decrease in allergic airway inflammation markers. 

In China, chiropractic care for children with asthma is widely accepted. As more research comes out, it will hopefully spur further changes along the allergy management front. 

How To See a Chiropractor

Have you wondered what types of modern allergy management techniques are out there? Chiropractic care is a natural way you can start remedying your allergy symptoms. 

You don't want to deal with medication side effects and costly prescriptions. Instead, you can find a chiropractor in St. Petersburg, Florida today!



They can help with spinal adjustments, supplements, and lifestyle recommendations. All these tools can make a difference in how you respond to spring allergies. Ready to get started? 

Contact us to schedule an appointment for help with your allergies.