Lately it seems like everyone is discussing different ways to “boost” your immune system. But it might surprise you to learn that chiropractic care isn’t all about neck or back pain. It’s good for your immune system, too!

You probably already know that the purpose of your immune system is to fight against infectious diseases (from both bacteria and viruses) that enter our body and make us sick. If your immune system mounts the appropriate response, you might not feel any symptoms at all. Or, you might experience symptoms once exposed to an illness, but you recover quickly without any serious effects.

Of course, the opposite can also be true. If your immune system does not respond correctly to a bacteria or virus, you might become very sick and experience more complications than the average person.

So, why do some people experience mild or no symptoms, while others suffer serious illness from the same pathogen? The answer lies in the health of your immune system. Several factors can impair your body’s ability to fight illness, such as:

  • An immunodeficiency disorder
  • Autoimmune disorder
  • Cancer (which weakens your immune system)
  • Allergies (which create an “overreaction” response)
  • Lifestyle factors that impair your immune system (smoking, poor diet, vitamin deficiencies, etc)
  • Neural dysfunction related to spinal misalignments

 

With regard to that last point, it’s important to remember that your nervous system is the messaging system of the entire body. Organ systems must communicate with one another in order to perform their specific functions efficiently.

For example, the lymph nodes and spleen are heavily involved with immune functions. But if they can’t communicate with the rest of the body, they can’t perform their jobs correctly.

Misalignments, or subluxations, in the spine can impair this communication. That’s why regular chiropractic care to address spinal alignment has been shown to boost immune system function, and help the body fight off invasive pathogens more efficiently.

Other steps you can take to boost your immune system function include:

  • Appropriate sleeping habits
  • Regular exercise
  • Vitamin D from sunlight
  • Vitamin C in the diet (and a healthy diet overall)
  • Stress management and reduction
  • Avoidance of toxic lifestyle habits such as smoking cigarettes

 

If you’re concerned with your immune system function, please give us a call to schedule an appointment. A chiropractic adjustment, along with other healthy lifestyle choices, can boost your immune system and help you fight off illnesses that are currently circulating.