Research shows that multiple autoimmune conditions have increased by over 300% over the past several decades. Autoimmune diseases are more prevalent in women. In fact, 1 in 9 women of childbearing age will be diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. While autoimmune disorders are increasingly more common, they are not a normal state of health for the body.
Autoimmune conditions are caused by “friendly fire,” where your body is attempting to defend itself against a foreign invader (like bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungus, etc.) and ends up attacking itself. Why would the body ever do that? What would cause the immune system to get so confused that it can’t distinguish between a foreign invader and itself?
The immune and nervous systems are actually the same system. The nervous system is your master system, responsible for controlling everything that happens in your body. The brain sends messages down your spinal cord and out through your nerves to communicate with all the organ systems and tissues that make up your body. Your organs and tissues also send messages back to your brain through your spinal cord and nerves. Because the spinal cord is so vital to everything in the body, it is protected by the vertebrae, the bones of the spine. However, this delicate communication process can be disrupted if one or more vertebrae become misaligned. A misalignment, or subluxation, can put pressure on the spinal cord and its branches, interfering with the messages sent between the brain and the body. When the nervous system isn’t working properly, the immune system won’t work properly either. A weakened immune system can lead to problems like frequent illness or lingering illness longer than you should.
One way a compromised immune system can manifest is through the development of an autoimmune disease. Disruption of the nervous system can cause the immune system to respond inappropriately to a foreign invader, leading it to attack itself. There are over 100 types of autoimmune diseases that affect various parts of the body.
Autoimmune conditions can be complex, and they require chiropractors and medical doctors working together to care for a patient. Chiropractors have specific training in detecting and correcting subluxations. When nerve interference occurs, there is a whole cascade of events that can affect the way your body functions. By removing nerve interference with specific chiropractic adjustments, the body can regain balance and return to a more normal state of functioning.
Chiropractors have extensive training in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system controls your fight-or-flight responses. The parasympathetic nervous system focuses on resting, digesting, and healing. Maintaining harmony between the two parts of the nervous system is a delicate balancing act. When you are experiencing periods of high stress in your life from mental or emotional overload, toxins, or traumas, your sympathetic nervous system can go into overdrive. This usually results in your parasympathetic nervous system being underactive. Chiropractic adjustments are instrumental in restoring balance when the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are not functioning optimally.
A key player in the parasympathetic nervous system is the Vagus nerve. The Vagus nerve is the longest of the cranial nerves, and it is the connection between your brain and your gut. The Vagus nerve exits the brain stem near the upper bones of the neck. This means that if there is misalignment in the upper neck bones, there is a good chance the Vagus nerve may not be able to transmit clear communication between the brain and the gut. Recent research shows that when a chiropractor performs specific chiropractic adjustments to reduce upper neck misalignments, this reduces inflammation of the Vagus nerve. When the Vagus nerve is less inflamed, it transmits messages between the brain and the gut more easily, allowing the body to function more optimally.
Book Your First Immunity Improvement Exam
Exam includes in-depth whole-body analysis with provider, posture pictures and insight nervous system scans (provided if necessary). Consultation & plan of action will help you understand your care options.
A Strong Body
Every 90 days, your body creates new cells and tissues from the foods you consume. Feeding your body nutrient-dense food can produce higher-quality cells to build and repair your organs and tissues. Therefore, one important step to having a strong immune system is to ensure you are eating healthy foods and supplement any nutrients your food lacks to allow your body to have everything it needs to function properly.
It really is true, we are what we eat.
A Good Communication System
Another way to strengthen your immune system is to ensure no interference with your nervous system. This is where the chiropractor comes in. The most common reasons people seek out chiropractic care are when they have an injury to their back or experience recurring headaches. However, chiropractors can assist in the body’s ability to heal by ensuring that the nervous system is working properly. Here’s how it works: the brain and the body othersthrough the nervous system. The spinal cord exits the brain and is protected by the bones of the spine. Nerves branch off from the spinal cord and exit through the spaces between the vertebrae. From there, the nerves continue to branch out and connect to all the organs and tissues in the body. When a bone is out of place in the spine, also known as subluxation, the misaligned vertebra puts pressure on the nerves exiting the spinal cord and interferes with the messages sent along the nerves. Chiropractors are the only health professionals trained to detect and correct subluxation and ensure the free flow of communication within the nervous system.
How Our Immunity Improvement Plan Works
1. Be Heard
And Understood
Quality time with a health professional, so you can be truly heard and understood, isn’t all that common. We understand that. This is why, on your first visit, you will meet with one of our doctors and share your health concerns and struggles so we can understand exactly why you are here and what you want to achieve. The doctor will determine what testing is necessary to find the source of your health concerns and answer the biggest question of all: Can Chiropractic Care Help?
2. Discover How We Can Help You
Every new patient should feel like they are making the right decision for their health. This is why our doctors explain what they are looking for in the testing, so our patients know exactly what is going on, instead of just being a bystander. We will share everything we discover from your testing and exams, including if we can help you. In the unfortunate event that we cannot help, our doctors will provide any additional resources they feel would be appropriate to assist you.
3. Achieve Your Health Goals Together
Whether you just want to be out of pain, or you want to get back to golfing without limitations, or you are desperate to get a restful night’s sleep, we will be with you every step of the way. We’ll achieve your goals
How Chiropractic Care Improves Immunity in West Omaha, NE
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
The first step in determining whether chiropractic care can help your immune system is to check your spine and nervous system. When you come into our office, the doctor will complete a thorough health history to determine what events or habits may have caused misalignments in your spine. The doctor will also take note of your specific immunity concerns or health and immune system goals. The doctor will then assess how your spine and body move. Postural analysis and X-rays are additional tools the doctors use to determine whether subluxation is present in your spine and if chiropractic care can help.
Subluxation occurs when a bone is out of normal alignment, putting pressure on the nerves as they exit the spinal cord. Depending on the location of the subluxation in your spine and which nerves are affected, it can interfere with the function of different organs and tissues throughout the body. Discovering where subluxations are present, determining what might be causing those subluxations, and pinpointing other lifestyle choices that might be hindering the healing process are all part of how we take care of patients in our office.
At Family First Chiropractic, we have a thorough and very unique series of tests that we use to locate interference in the nervous system.
- Thermography – a valuable tool for detecting inflammation in the nervous system. Think of it like detecting hot spots in your spine. If these hot spots are in the upper region of the neck where the Vagus nerve resides, that can be an indicator that there is nerve interference affecting the way the Vagus nerve is able to function.
- Posture – This is a simple yet powerful way to assess whether the body is leaning away from nerve irritation. When there are misalignments in the spine that cause nerve pressure or irritation, the body will naturally lean away to counteract the irritation. If there are postural shifts specifically in the neck, this is another clue as to why the body is attacking itself and not responding like it should in the parasympathetic system.
- Motion Palpation – Feeling the joints of the spine as they are moving allows the doctor to assess whether the joints have lost the normal range of motion. A joint that is misaligned or inflamed won’t move freely.
- Static Palpation – The doctor can assess the area around the spine for changes in muscle tone that can indicate nerve interference.
- X-Ray – X-rays allow the doctor to visualize the alignment and arrangement of the spinal bones and see what’s going on inside the spine. The doctor determines whether X-rays are necessary based on the results of other tests.
If testing shows interference in the nervous system causing inflammation, the chiropractor will recommend a series of adjustments to relieve pressure on the nervous system. When interference is removed, the body can communicate more clearly and restore balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
In addition to chiropractic adjustments, the chiropractor may evaluate lifestyle habits that could be contributing to nervous system interference and additional inflammation. The doctor may have recommendations for other areas of your life that will support your adjustments, including modifications to exercise and movement routines, daily nutrition, and sleep habits.
Gonstead Technique Chiropractic Adjustments
The doctors in our office are all trained in the Gonstead Technique, the most precise chiropractic method utilized to detect and correct subluxations. Once a person becomes a patient in our office, they will receive a sequence of adjustments designed by the doctor to address their unique subluxation patterns. With the goal of subluxation correction, our office looks to help alleviate aches and pains AND improve overall function within the nervous system. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, patients will have access to postural, exercise, and nutritional consultations to tackle their specific immunity concerns.
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Common Auto-Immune Issues We Help With in West Omaha, NE
Various factors can cause poor immunity. Here are some of the most common causes:
Allergies
Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance. For some people, this could be pollen, bee venom, pet dander, or a specific food. Often, something that causes an allergic reaction in one person will have little to no effect on other people.
One specific function of your immune system is to produce antibodies to protect you. When you have allergies, your immune system makes antibodies that identify a particular substance as harmful, even though it isn’t. When you encounter a substance your immune system has identified as harmful, it reacts by producing antibodies to protect you from the perceived attack. This reaction can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways, or digestive system.
The severity of allergies varies from person to person and can range from minor irritation to anaphylaxis — a potentially life-threatening emergency. While most allergies can’t be cured, our services can help relieve your allergy symptoms by mitigating the intensity of your immune system response.
Depending on the substance, allergy symptoms can affect your airways, sinuses and nasal passages, skin, and digestive system. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Pain or tenderness around your head and neck
- Coughing, wheezing, or breathlessness
- Itchy skin
- Raised rash (hives)
- Diarrhea
- Feeling or being sick
- Swelling of the eyes, lips, mouth, or throat
A benefit to chiropractic adjustments for allergy relief is the fact that they can help regulate histamine and cortisol levels in your body. Curbing histamine production is a big help during environmental allergy season, as the presence of histamines within the body is responsible for many allergy symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments can relieve the tension on your brain stem, allowing your throat to relax. This relaxation allows the sinus passages in your head to drain, making you feel better faster without medication.
Asthma
According to the National Institutes of Health, asthma is a chronic condition that affects the bronchi and bronchioles in the lungs. These airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. When you have asthma, the airways in your lungs can become inflamed and narrowed, making it harder for air to flow out of your airways when you breathe out.
The immune system plays a crucial role in the presentation of asthma because asthma symptoms result from hypersensitivity and an exaggerated response to triggers or environmental stimuli. Asthma symptoms commonly include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic or acute cough
- Chest tightness with or without pain
- Wheezing
- Possible sleep disturbance due to difficulty breathing
Asthma triggers can vary significantly from case to case. The most common asthma triggers include allergies, air pollution, and other airborne irritants. Some other causes include respiratory infections, exercise, weather, fluctuations in air temperature, various medications, and even strong emotional responses can be a culprit.
Patients under chiropractic care have shown a decrease in their asthma symptomatology and an increased breathing capacity. Chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment of the spine, which provides relief of spasmed muscles caused by misaligned thoracic segments and their corresponding ribs. With proper nerve flow restored, this correlates with greater breath control and a more efficient respiratory system.
Eczema and Psoriasis
Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is generally defined as an inflammatory skin condition that can cause dry, itchy, red, and occasionally scaly or raised patches. The patches can occur anywhere on the body and be of any size. Disruption of the skin surface makes the person more prone to infections. The causes of eczema include a genetic predisposition and exposure to internal or external irritants.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition in which the immune system triggers increased skin cell growth. Skin cells grow rapidly, leading to thick, raised, red, scaly patches (also called plaques) on the skin, most often appearing on the elbows, knees, and scalp. Plaque patches can be painful and itchy. There is no specific cause, though research has shown a genetic component. Common triggers or factors that increase the likelihood of flare-ups include emotional stress, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, toxic environmental exposure, and lack of exposure to UV/sunlight.
Chiropractic care may be beneficial for each of these chronic skin conditions by removing nervous system interference, reducing systemic inflammation, and increasing blood flow to aid in the removal of toxins that exacerbate the autoimmune response.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic, incurable autoimmune disease that directly affects the central nervous system. MS primarily affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Multiple sclerosis occurs when the patient’s own immune system attacks myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibers. When myelin breaks down and cannot properly protect nerve fibers, the patient begins to experience problems with vision, balance, and critical thinking due to disruptions in nerve signal transmission. Additional symptoms can include dizziness, digestive problems (like lactose intolerance or diarrhea), and difficulty with emotional control. Long-term damage to nerve fibers creates scarring, known as sclerosis, which disrupts messages between the brain and body, further disrupting the body’s ability to function properly.
The underlying cause of Multiple Sclerosis is not precisely known, but current research suggests a combination of factors that contribute to developing MS. Some of the more common factors include smoking, being overweight, viruses like Epstein-Barr, and living in areas with reduced sun exposure, resulting in lower levels of Vitamin D.
Chiropractic care for people with Multiple Sclerosis has a primary focus on symptom reduction. Since there is no cure for MS, specific chiropractic adjustments can benefit patients by reducing inflammation, improving nerve function, and increasing musculoskeletal mobility and range of motion, thereby improving the overall quality of life and making activities of daily living more attainable.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s Disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can result in inflammation in any part of the digestive tract. Common symptoms of Crohn’s Disease include moderate to severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, mouth sores, anal inflammation, blood in the stool, and weight loss.
While the exact cause is unknown, like many autoimmune diseases, Crohn’s Disease is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors that cause disruptions to the function of the immune system. Family history of the disease, smoking, long-term use of NSAIDS or antibiotics, diets high in fat or processed foods, and exposure to industrial pollutants are all common risk factors. There are also links between misalignments of the cervical vertebrae and unwanted digestive symptoms. When the cervical vertebrae aren’t properly aligned, there is increased irritability to the sympathetic nervous system. Crohn’s disease is most commonly diagnosed in people ages 15-35.
There is no cure for Crohn’s Disease. However, chiropractic care has been shown to improve the digestive system’s function, boost immunity, and reduce inflammation in people with Crohn’s Disease. Chiropractic adjustments alleviate irritation of the nervous system and improve communication between the brain and body. Relaxation of the nervous system promotes proper digestion, efficient nutrient absorption, and timely waste removal.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition where your glucose (blood sugar) levels are too high. Glucose is important because it is a source of energy for our cells. However, people with diabetes store glucose in their blood rather than effectively delivering it to cells. Symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, blurred vision, slowed healing, and tingling or numbness in the feet. If not properly managed, diabetes can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin plays an essential role in transporting glucose from the bloodstream into cells, where it can be used as fuel. Type 1 diabetics require lifelong insulin therapy since little to no insulin is being produced. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin. Insulin resistance or inadequate insulin production is linked to lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity levels, and obesity. Type 2 diabetes typically develops in adulthood, but the number of children being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has been increasing over the past decade. Type 2 diabetes is best managed through lifestyle changes.
While chiropractic care is not a treatment for diabetes, specific chiropractic adjustments, along with lifestyle changes, may help manage diabetes symptoms. Improving nervous system function can help lower insulin resistance and improve insulin production in the pancreas.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body, causing systemic inflammation and pain in the joints. In addition, Lupus cause symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss, fever, and a unique butterfly-shaped facial rash. Increased systemic inflammation also affects other organs, including the brain and skin.
The onset of Lupus symptoms can be triggered by the person’s living or working environment, certain genetic factors, hormonal changes, and exposure to UV radiation.
Chiropractic adjustments have proven to be an effective tool for managing Lupus symptoms. While chiropractic care is not a cure for Lupus, adjustments can aid in reducing systemic inflammation, pain, headaches, and fatigue. Ensuring proper alignment of the vertebrae and other joints results in improved nervous system function. For people suffering from Lupus, this may reduce medication dependence. Many people with Lupus who seek chiropractic care also report benefits such as increased range of motion, more energy, and less pain.
Hashimoto’s Disease
Hashimoto’s Disease is a common autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing chronic inflammation and decreased hormone production, which can ultimately lead to hypothyroidism. The most common symptoms of Hashimoto’s include weight gain, depression, puffy face, goiter, dry skin, digestive difficulties, acute cold sensitivity, and cognitive stress. A blood test is necessary to check antibodies in order to diagnose Hashimoto’s disease.
While the specific cause of Hashimoto’s disease is unclear, there are notable links between genetics and environmental factors such as radiation exposure and excessive iodine consumption.
There is no cure for Hashimoto’s disease, so the primary focus of care is to reduce symptoms. Specific chiropractic adjustments can benefit patients by reducing systemic inflammation, improving nerve function, and increasing musculoskeletal mobility and range of motion. Reducing symptoms improves people’s quality of life and makes activities of daily living more attainable.
Graves’ Disease
Graves’ Disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism. The immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading it to overproduce hormones that increase the body’s metabolism. The most common symptoms of Graves’ Disease include weight loss, increased heart rate, tremors, heat intolerance, and feelings of anxiety. The most noticeable symptom of Graves’ Disease is often bulging eyes.
The exact cause of Graves’ Disease is unknown, but there are several common genetic and environmental lifestyle factors that include being female, family history of Graves’ Disease, smoking, significant physical or emotional stress, pregnancy & postpartum, high iodine levels, and Vitamin D & selenium deficiencies.
Specific chiropractic adjustments for people with Graves’ Disease may be beneficial by reducing inflammation, improving nerve function, increasing blood flow, and increasing musculoskeletal mobility and range of motion, thereby improving the overall quality of life for the patient.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the whole body, particularly the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis, or RA, is when the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium, or the lining of the joints, leading to joint inflammation. Symptoms of RA include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Joint pain is typically symmetrical, meaning both sides of the body are affected. One of the most common signs of RA is joint stiffness in the morning that lasts more than one hour. Rheumatoid arthritis is most commonly diagnosed in women ages 30-60.
The exact cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is unknown, but several common risk factors have been identified. Hormonal changes can contribute to Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is why women in mid-life are frequently affected.
Environmental factors, such as long-term exposure to pollutants, are commonly observed in people diagnosed with RA. Smoking is the strongest known risk factor. Other lifestyle factors like chronic stress, poor quality sleep, and a diet of primarily processed foods are all factors that increase inflammation in the body and can contribute to RA symptoms.
Specific chiropractic adjustments can reduce symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis by improving nervous system function, thereby allowing the immune system to function more effectively. Patients with RA who have pursued chiropractic care report reduced inflammation, improved nerve function, and increased musculoskeletal mobility and range of motion. When chiropractic adjustments are paired with lifestyle changes, the results can include decreased systemic inflammation, increased joint mobility, and improved blood flow, allowing joints to heal more effectively.
Fatigue
There is ample evidence to indicate that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a biological illness. This illness is correlated with an overactive immune system, often triggered by an initial infection. When a person has a compromised immune system, the body attempts to divert as much energy as possible to the immune system to combat infections, repair cells, and activate or regulate fevers. Because the body devotes such a large percentage of its available energy to immune system functions, it robs its other systems of their available fuel sources, leading to chronic fatigue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chiropractors in Omaha, NE help with autoimmune disease?
Chiropractic care for autoimmune disease primarily focuses on symptom reduction. Since there is generally no cure for the vast majority of autoimmune diseases, specific chiropractic adjustments can be beneficial to the patient by reducing inflammation, improving the function of the nerves, and increasing musculoskeletal mobility and range of motion to improve the overall quality of life.
Do chiropractic adjustments help the immune system?
Chiropractic care can benefit the immune system by removing interference to the nervous system, reducing overall systemic inflammation, and increasing blood flow to aid in the removal of toxins that may be exacerbating the body’s defense response.
What makes autoimmune conditions worse?
Many factors can worsen or “flare up” autoimmune conditions. Anything that may increase inflammation in the body, such as stress, poor-quality sleep, inadequate nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, or other infections, may worsen the autoimmune condition. Poor gut health, hormonal changes, and nutrient deficiencies may also exacerbate autoimmune symptoms.
What is the root cause of autoimmune disease?
There is no definitive root cause of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases develop when a person’s genetic factors and environmental triggers combine, leading the immune system to mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues.
Do chiropractors reduce inflammation?
Yes, Chiropractic adjustments reduce inflammatory responses by triggering a parasympathetic response. Specific chiropractic adjustments restore function to the nervous system. This may improve Vagal tone, musculoskeletal mobility, and blood flow, and reduce the body’s production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Book Your First Immunity Improvement Exam
Exam includes in-depth whole-body analysis with provider, posture pictures and insight nervous system scans (provided if necessary). Consultation & plan of action will help you understand your care options.