What is Asthma?
Asthma is a common respiratory condition characterized by constricted airways causing breathing problems. When a person has asthma, the airways to the lungs may become inflamed and swollen, with the muscles constricting and narrowing the passage. Additionally, there may be excess mucous produced in the airways. All of this inhibits the free flow of air to the lungs and results in an asthmatic attack.
An asthmatic attack can be very frightening, and in some cases, it can be deadly.
Signs and Symptoms of Asthma
Asthma is usually triggered by environmental factors, such as allergens, pollutants, dust, mold, or cold, dry air. Attacks can also come from consuming certain foods, such as peanuts, soy, or shellfish. For some, asthma may come from respiratory infections or may be triggered by stress or physical exertion.
Someone experiencing an asthma attack may feel short of breath or may notice they are wheezing or coughing. Asthmatic attacks can cause the chest to feel tight and the lungs to feel constricted. Someone suffering from asthma may break out into a cold sweat, look pale, feel nauseous, or their pulse may begin to race.
The feeling of not getting enough air may cause a person to panic and hyperventilate, thus exacerbating the problem. A lack of oxygen may cause dizziness or fainting.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Asthma
The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary actions, such as breathing. Asthma is due to an autonomic nervous imbalance when electrical signals from the brain to the respiratory system become erratic or are disrupted. People with this problem become more prone to suffer from asthma due to allergens and experience more severe symptoms.
The upper cervical spine, consisting of the uppermost vertebrae that run from the base of the skull through the neck, can be knocked out of alignment due to head and neck injuries, jolts, or even from poor posture. When this happens, inflammation and nerve compression can occur and irritate the autonomic nervous system.
How Our Asthma Treatment Works
Asthma is often treated by controlling symptoms with medication and/or inhalers. For some people, getting to the root of the problem by correcting misalignments of the upper cervical spine can help immensely.
Dr. Noah Kaplan, owner of Advance Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Walnut Creek, is among the elite practitioners of the Blair Chiropractic technique. The Blair technique focuses on the treatment of the upper cervical spine. Dr. Kaplan is a board-certified member of the Blair Chiropractic Society.
Using state-of-the-art 3D diagnostic imaging tools, Dr. Kaplan and his team can examine and measure the vertebrae. Using Cone Beam computed tomography (CBCT) instead of black-and-white X-Rays, the doctor can pinpoint any misalignments to ensure adjustments are swift and more precise.
The Blair Chiropractic Technique does not involve the customary chiropractic neck twists and jerks; instead, low-force pressure is applied in exact locations to help ease the spine back into alignment. This more gentle treatment offers a highly effective, drug-free, non-invasive way to treat asthma.
If asthma is getting in your way of enjoying life and doing the things you love, contact Dr. Kaplan for a consultation on the health of your upper cervical spine. Located in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Kaplan also services Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore.
Schedule an Appointment or a Free Consultation
Call us at (925) 357-3080 or click on the button below to schedule an appointment or a free consultation.
