Posts Tagged "immune system"

Immune Responses to Spinal Manipulation

Posted by Dr. Wirtz on Nov 29, 2011 in Blog, Diseases, Drug Free Treatment, Health Tips | 0 comments

I decided to find an article about how spinal adjustments can help boost the immune system which helps prevent illness and disease.  With the cold and flu seasons lurking around, I feel it’s necessary to explain to patients that a chiropractic adjustment is the BEST way to naturally prevent sickness.  I really enjoyed this article that I have included some excerpts below.  I also included the link to the full article if any of you would like to read it.  Stay healthy, GET ADJUSTED!

For many years, chiropractors have observed in their own practices that their patients sometimes demonstrate improvements of complaints related to immune problems: the disappearance or lessening of allergy symptoms, quicker recovery from or less frequent and severe colds and other respiratory infections, and so on.

Early Research on Manipulation and the Immune System

Research in the 1990s laid the groundwork for the more recent papers published in the past five years. Brennan, et al., [4] published a paper demonstrating that upper thoracic spinal manipulation resulted in markers indicating significant increased phagocytic activity of neutrophils and monocytes compared to a sham manipulation or soft-tissue treatment. The findings suggest that a certain force threshold was needed to elicit the response.

In a second study, Brennan, et al., [5] concluded that their data suggests spinal manipulation, which generates a force over a certain threshold, elicits viscerosomatic responses that affect both neutrophils and mononuclear cells phagocytic activity, at least over the short term. And in a very small 1994 study, [6] the study authors concluded that upper cervical adjustments increased CD4 “helper” T-cell counts, which initiate the body’s response to viruses in HIV-positive subjects, by 48 percent over the six-month duration of the study.

Neural immunoregulation: Communication Between the Immune and Nervous Systems
These earlier papers have now been followed-up by a series of recent studies within the past five years. Teodorczyk-Injeyan, et al., [7] described the interplay between the nervous system and immune system as neural immunoregulation. The authors note that immune homeostasis is based on the reciprocal communication between the immune and the nervous systems executed by the actions of cytokines and neurotransmitters. In addition, the paper explains the close association of autonomic nerve terminals with macrophages and lymphocytes, which facilitates a chemically mediated transmission between nerves and immune cells.
This research group has published a series of papers that explores the relationship of spinal manipulation, spinoautonomic reflexes and their influence on activity of cells involved in immune and/or inflammatory responses. These interconnections may have great clinical relevance because studies [8] on the pathophysiology of discogenic low back pain, sciatica, and ligamentous tissue damage-related pain [9] reveal that the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), are major factors in the genesis of pain and functional changes in neural activity. Furthermore, studies of the hypoalgesic effects of spinal manipulation have already been reported in the literature, suggesting that an anti-inflammatory mechanism might be activated by spinal manipulation. [10-11] Recent clinical studies have shown that chemical blockage of TNF-a is highly effective in reducing sciatic pain. [12]

The Take-Home Message

The studies described above demonstrate an accumulation of evidence that indicates spinal manipulation may influence the immune system’s response to various stimuli. Three of the studies suggest that manipulation consistently reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators associated with tissue damage and pain from articular structures. Two studies provide evidence that manipulation consistently reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators associated with tissue damage and pain from articular structures. Two studies provide evidence that manipulation may induce and enhance production of the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-2 and the production of immunoglobulins as well.

We must acknowledge that these results are preliminary because most are performed on asymptomatic subjects and the duration of the effects so far have only been demonstrated to be short-lived. Nevertheless, this research opens the door to further exploration of the possible neuroimmunoregulatory effects of spinal manipulation and confirms what many of us have observed in practice: Adjustments reduce pain and inflammation, and may improve immunoregulatory functionhttp://www.chiro.org/research/ABSTRACTS/Immune_Responses_to_Spinal_Manipulation.shtml

A Glass Of Goodness A Day…

Posted by Dr. Wirtz on Oct 11, 2011 in Blog, Diseases, Drug Free Treatment, Health Tips | 0 comments

Will help keep the doctor away! Next to pure water, this “glass of goodness” is the next healthiest beverage of choice.  Green tea is beneficial in fighting cancer, heart disease, lowering cholesterol, preventing diabetes and stroke, and fighting off dementia.  What exactly is in green tea that does all of this?

Green tea contains an antioxidant called catechins.  These antioxidants attack the free radicals in your body that can cause DNA damage.  Free radicals actually make us age faster and green tea naturally rids your body of them.  Catechins are found to be 100 times stronger than the antioxidants in vitamin C and E.  Research over the last few decades has shown that catechins have the ability to support the immune system, fight the signs of aging, support healthy digestion, promote a healthy liver, promote healthy brain function, and a healthy heart.  Green tea is also a natural appetite suppressant and can aid in healthy weight loss.

Research has also shown that catechins can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and kills cells that are growing inappropriately.  Catechins were also found to help dilate blood vessels and help prevent clogging, thus preventing atherosclerosis and blood clots.

Drink up!  Instead of a sugary beverage like sodas or sports drink, nourish your body with green tea. It’s a natural way to restore healthy cells and prevent disease.  Buy organic green tea from your local health food store to ensure that it’s high quality and pesticide free.  Research showed that drinking up to 2 cups a day actually prevents cancer cells from even beginning to grow!!  Remember to drink plenty of pure water too.  A healthy diet, plenty of water, green tea, and of course a regular visit to the Chiropractor will keep your immune system strong and able to fight off diseases.

Stress

Posted by Dr. DeVries on Oct 4, 2011 in Blog, Health Tips | 0 comments

Stress is a reaction to any things that happen inside and outside ourselves. These reactions can cause problems that upset normal functioning and disturb mental or physical health. We all experience stress in our daily lives. These stressors can be either positive or negative. Driving to work and money problems as well as a new job or a newborn are just some examples of stressors.

How we react to these stresses can affect us physically and emotionally. Stress, if left unchecked can lead to pain, insomnia, weight gain and a reduced immune system. When the results of stress are unchecked (pain, muscle tension) they become feedback loop and generate their own stress. This leads to a problem that magnifies itself over and over. We have options in combating our stress. Chiropractic, exercise, meditation and biofeedback have been shown to be helpful in reducing the effect of stress on our bodies.

Doctors of Chiropractic are in an optimal position to help individuals that are dealing with the consequences of stress. Chiropractic care can help break the cycle of increasing symptoms by stopping the pain, improving the function of a person’s body. Chiropractic adjustments, therapies and exercise recommendations can help persons attain their optimum health and curb the influence of stress.

Curcumin: The Most Powerful Cancer Gene Regulator

Posted by Dr. Wirtz on Oct 4, 2011 in Blog, Diseases, Drug Free Treatment, Health Tips | 0 comments

You may be asking your self, “What?  There is something that can regulate a cancer gene?  And if so, how?”  The answer is YES.  After many years of research it is becoming more widely known that cancer is NOT pre-programmed into our genes.  Cancer genes are only allowed to be expressed when we have an environmental trigger.  The following can alter, damage, or mutate DNA and cause an alteration in the genetic expression which triggers the cancer gene: poor nutrition, toxins and pollutions, chronic inflammation, chronic stress, free radical damage, and thoughts/emotional conflicts.

Curcumin is a part of the popular Indian spice Turmeric. It has been used historically as of part of Indian Ayurvedic Holistic Medicine for many ailments and diseases.  Curcumin has been widely studied over many years and has evidence based literature to support its’ use against cancer. Once curcumin is in a cell it can affect over 100 different pathways. Research has found that it can: inhibit the spreading of cancer cells, decrease inflammation, inhibit transformation of cells from “normal” to “tumor” cells, inhibit the synthesis of a protein thought to be in a tumor, decrease blood supply to the tumor to prevent further growth, and help destroy the mutated cancer cells so it can’t spread throughout the body.

Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are your body’s way to eliminate free radicals and slow down the aging process.  Free radical oxidation is what puts the most impact on our aging process.  With that being said, it’s so important to include antioxidants in your diet.  Curcumin is said to be 5-8 times stronger than vitamin E and vitamin C.

Curcumin also helps:

• Reduce Cholesterol
• Reduce Thrombosis and Myocardial Infarction
• Suppress symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
• Increase bile secretion to aid in a healthy digestive system
• Suppress symptoms related to Type II Diabetes
• Suppress symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
• Enhance wound healing
• Fight against cataracts
• Reduce symptoms in Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Reduce inflammation and pain associated with Osteoarthritis
• Promotes healthy bones and joints
• Promotes healthy heart and liver function
• Inhibit HIV replication

This is only skimming the surface of what this incredible Indian herb can do to benefit your health!  I recommend adding this spice into your diet immediately.  Look for a 100% organic-based (certified organic product) turmeric extract with at least 95% curcuminoids or you can find it in a powder form. Look in your local health food stores to find the best quality products. You can add it to tea, casseroles, curries, meats, soups, and healthy veggie stir-fries.  Remember to maintain a healthy immune system you need to also get a Chiropractic adjustment regularly as well as maintaining a healthy diet.

Allergies

Posted by Dr. Heuser on Aug 25, 2011 in Blog | 0 comments

Your immune system helps to get rid of things that are not supposed to be in your body, but if your immunes system is weak, it might malfunction.  A malfunctioning immune system can manifest itself in many different ways, from AIDS and cancer down to asthma and frequent colds. Allergies are the most common disorder caused by a malfunctioning immune system and, while not as threatening as the more severe immune system disorders, can have a big impact on quality of life.

Allergies are caused when your immune system overreacts to a foreign substance that is not really harmful (e.g. pet dander, pollen, peanuts, etc.). No one quite understands why allergies develop. They can be at least partly genetic, but are not always so. They can also change over the course of your life; certain allergies may develop or go dormant. Unfortunately, because nobody really understands the reason why allergies develop, nobody really has a direct cure.

But chiropractic can still help. Even though nobody understands exactly why allergies develop, we do know that it is a result of a malfunctioning immune system. Chiropractic aims to help reduce allergies in an indirect way, by strengthening the body’s immune system and encouraging more efficient functioning. Recent studies have shown that there are strong links between the nervous and immunes systems; if the nervous system is under stress, it can weaken the immune system. Through spinal adjustments, a chiropractor can help to relieve vertebral subluxations that may be stressing the nervous system, and a better-functioning nervous system encourages a better-functioning immune system. This can reduce the frequency and severity of allergic reactions without any of the side-effects associated with anti-histamines (the most common medical prescription for allergies).