Listening to the news reports one can not help but believe
that we are all doomed to fall victim to the Corona virus making its way out of
China. Yes, it seems to be quite
virulent and mortality from it is higher than typical viruses; however, as with most viruses our best
defense is to use proper hygene and keep our immune system supported. Healthy immune function is important for
everything from the cold and a runny nose, to influenza, cancer, and heart
disease. This entails getting adequate
sleep, eating right (avoiding over consumption of processed foods and their
additives, watching our sweetener intake), drinking plenty of fluids and consuming vitamin C and D which have been
shown to improve the resistance of the immune system.
As I thought about this, it reminded me of an historical
chiropractic point. Chiropractic came into its own
during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919. (<-This link downloads a PDF) Chiropractic
historians have marked the 1918 Flu Pandemic as a major factor in the success
and proliferation of the chiropractic profession as a whole. During the time before the take over of
healthcare by the pharmaceutical industry, chiropractic was actually licensed
and utilized to treat many infectious disease and disorders; even polio up to
the 1950’s. As mentioned above, the
best defense is a strong immune system.
So how did chiropractic help? Multiple
studies show the positive benefits of the chiropractic adjustment here and here.
Specifically, chiropractic has been shown to reduce the production of
pro inflammatory substances in the body,
stimulate the production of immune boosting white
blood cells and enhance
their activity. Spinal adjustments
have been found to
increase and even kick
off the production immunoglobulins which act as anti bodies against disease
causing organisms.
How
effective was chiropractic in its efforts against the Spanish flu? In Davenport, Iowa, 50 medical doctors
treated 4,953 cases, with 274 deaths. Throughout Iowa, excluding Davenport,
4,735 patients were treated by chiropractors with a loss of only 6 cases. Epidemic reports show that in New York City,
during the influenza epidemic of 1918, out of every 10,000 cases medically
treated, 950 died. The same reports show
that chiropractors cared for 3,490 cases of influenza with only 7 deaths. In Oklahoma there is a clear record showing
that chiropractors were called in 233 cases where medical doctors had cared for
the patients, and finally gave them up as lost. The chiropractors saved all but
25 of these “lost” cases. National
figures show that 1,142 chiropractors treated 46,394 patients for influenza
during 1918, with a loss of only 54 patients.
These figures clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of chiropractic care
in helping our bodies fight against disease.
This is only one aspect of the amazing benefits of
chiropractic. Numerous studies and
research have shown profound affects of the adjustment on the musculoskeletal
system, neurology, hormonal balance, immunology and even psycho-emotional
states by way of modulating the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) and its
effect on the body, all with virtually no negative side effects.
I would urge you to consider putting the powerful effects of
chiropractic care into your
wellness regime before you need to depend on the medico-pharmaceutical
establishment for crisis care. We
welcome all patients, whether you are looking for an alternative or addition to
your medical care.
