The unfolding events involving the Swine Flu in the United States has concerned many of us. Many of my patients have asked me for advice. Are we defenseless against this potential deadly virus? Is there a way to protect ourselves? There is a solution. Strengthen your immune system. Let’s look to the past to develop a strategy for today:
The 1918 influenza pandemic has been labeled in history as one of the most devastating outbreaks of disease in the history of the world with deaths estimated at between 20 and 40 million people. Over 675,000 American citizens lost their lives due to this epidemic, in some states as many as 1 in 15 people died from the virus. Why do I bring this up? The 1918 flu crisis has been labeled in the Chiropractic profession as one of the primary reasons for the success and proliferation of Chiropractic Care for Health and Wellness.
There is considerable research suggesting a link between chiropractic adjustments and a stronger immune system. Here are some of the statistics that give merit to the power of the Chiropractic adjustment during the 1918 Flu Epidemic:
National statistics showed that 1,142 chiropractors cared for 46,394 patients with influenza throughout 1918. Of those patients treated only 54, or 1 out of every 859 lost their life to the influenza virus.
Compare this with those individuals treated only with medical care: In the state of Iowa for example medical doctors treated 93,590 patients, with 6,116 deaths, a loss of 1 patient out of every 15. In New York City, 950 out of 10,000 patients died with medical methods while 25 out of 10,000 died using drugless methods.
Yes, the medical profession was seeing a majority of the worst of the worst; however, one of the greatest statistics supporting chiropractic care comes from the state of Oklahoma. There were 233 cases in which the medical doctors had cared for patients and eventually pronounced them as “lost” or beyond hope… chiropractors took care of all 233 and of those only 25 died.
Chiropractic’s journey into health care took a huge leap forward thanks to its incredible effect on the thousands of Americans during the flu crisis.
What I hope you all gain from this is a better understanding of how an adjustment to your spine can create the potential for a strengthen immune system to better fight against the flu.
How does this work? Scientifically speaking, when one spine is adjusted one immediate effect is a decrease in sustained sympathetic tone in the nervous system which subsequently leads to an increase in immune function (good). (Journal of Neurophysiology, February 2007).
An increase in immune function is important for everything from the cold and runny nose to influenza, cancer, and heart disease, not to mention the great enhancing effects on a healthy individual.
This is why I encourage everyone to see a chiropractor for spinal adjustments regardless of how you currently feel. An adjustment will stimulate your immune system to better fight off any illness in your body.
The stresses that people endured in the early 1900s were entirely different than those we incur presently. In addition to the spinal adjustment, I recommend making changes in your lifestyle to optimize your immune function. A few simple steps can maximize the effects of your adjustments. Eat more green, leafy vegetables with every meal, take a 20 minute walk outside every day, and have a more optimistic view on life.
I wish you all great health and wellness in during these times of concern. Please feel free to call me with any questions or concerns. I would be happy to speak with you and help in any way I can.
