Your body's immune system is a complex system designed to fight off diseases. When it is doing its job, it tries to keep you healthy by fighting off and killing any foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and even cancer cells.
Unfortunately, for some people, an immune system can be a little too gung-ho to attack. Autoimmune diseases are when the body's natural immune defense begins attacking the body itself. This can cause damage to tissue, joints, or vital organs.
Some autoimmune diseases are difficult to diagnose and treat, so you should work closely with your healthcare team to ensure you're getting the care you need. You might also consider going to a chiropractor, as chiropractic care helps boost the immune system and can help patients with autoimmune diseases.
Signs and Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases
There are more than 80 known autoimmune diseases. This includes diseases like type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, Wegener’s disease, and Sjogren’s syndrome. Each different condition has its own set of signs and symptoms, but there are a few signs many of these conditions have in common.
Fatigue, recurring fever, joint pain, swollen joints, and swollen glands are common autoimmune disease symptoms. Many people with autoimmune diseases also get skin problems and/or digestive problems.
If you suspect your health issues are caused by an autoimmune disease, but your doctor is having trouble diagnosing it, try keeping a daily health journal. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent unnecessary damage to your body.
How Upper Cervical Care Can Help Patients with Autoimmune Diseases
Chiropractic care is a safe, drug-free, non-invasive way to help patients with autoimmune diseases. While it is important to work with your general healthcare provider when you have an autoimmune disease, a chiropractor can be a great benefit to your healthcare team.
The Central Nervous System (CNS) transmits signals from the brain to control your immune system. Any misalignments of the spine can cause pinched or compressed nerves, disrupting signals and interfering with the immune system's functions. Adjusting the spine can help nerve signals flow so that the immune system functions more effectively.
In addition, misalignments can result in excess inflammation, swelling, and undue stress on the joints. Since joint pain is a common autoimmune disease symptom, chiropractic care can help alleviate pain and improve a patient's mobility and flexibility.
How We Help Autoimmune Patients
Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. This technique utilizes advanced technology combined with gentle pressure to correct misalignments of the upper cervical spine.
Dr. Elder's treatments begin with a thorough health screening and 3D diagnostic imaging scans to pinpoint problem areas that need correcting. Because these advanced imaging tools allow the doctor to more efficiently measure and calculate any corrections, adjustments are more precise and done with a gentler touch than with traditional chiropractic care.
Once corrections are made, the doctor recommends general check-ups as part of your healthcare routine to nip any future problems in the bud. These adjustments can bring great relief to many patients suffering from joint pain or digestive issues while giving a boost to the immune system.
If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, contact Dr. Elder to see if upper cervical care can help you. The doctor's areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.