ELANCO Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

Healthy Living

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. 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.

New research is emerging that sheds light on the neurobiological mechanisms which may explain the outstanding clinical results chiropractors have experienced when managing patients with viral and infectious diseases. The brain and immune system are the two major adaptive systems in the body and 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.

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. The deaths in large were due to the lack of intravenous fluids and antibiotics to combat bacterial infections. Such an event would be virtually impossible today due to our updated medical approaches. It was chiropractic's success in caring for flu victims that led to the profession's licensure in many states. The World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) reported that cases of colds and flu were reduced by an average of 15% among those who were undergoing regular chiropractic care.

In Lancaster County, ELANCO Chiropractic, Inc. "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". At ELANCO Chiropractic, Inc., "Building Healthy Living" is our number one concern. We combine chiropractic and rehabilitation therapy to provide our patients with long-lasting health.