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IMMUNE SYSTEM

Immune Function Helped by Chiropractic - Study Says

A recent study found that a chiropractic adjustment immediately improved immune function and enables a patient to better fight infection for at least 2 hours, but potentially for much longer, by increasing certain biochemicals at the cellular level.

This study was designed to see if certain blood cells would produce more of a substance called Interleukin-2 (IL-2) after chiropractic adjustments. IL-2 is produced by blood cells and is instrumental in the body's natural response to infection. If blood cells produce IL-2, the body can fight infections more readily. IL-2 also helps the body to know the difference between a foreign threat of infection, and what is naturally inside the body.

In this study, blood samples were taken from 76 individuals. The blood samples were tested to see if they produced IL-2 when exposed to a bacteria. Then the participants were separated into 3 groups. One group was used as the control and received no adjustments. The other two groups both received adjustments, but one group received an adjustment that included joint cavitation (the familiar "popping" sound) and the other group receiving adjustments that made no sound at all.

Four blood samples were taken from the group. The first was prior to the chiropractic adjustment, the second was immediately after the adjustment, the third was taken 20 minutes after the adjustment and the final sample was taken 2 hours after the adjustment. Each sample was then tested to see how much IL-2 they produced when exposed to a bacteria.

The results documented that both groups that had some form of adjustment showed an increase of IL-2 at both the 20 minute and 2 hour times. The group that was tested at those same time intervals but had not received a chiropractic adjustment did not have a rise in IL-2 levels and therefore would not have been as receptive to fighting an infection. The researchers were therefore able to conclude that one single manipulation to the thoracic (mid-back) spine of asymptomatic subjects causes a significant enhancement in IL-2 production by blood cells when tested in a culture dish. Additionally, adjustments associated with joint cavitation demonstrated slightly better immune improvement at 2 hours than the adjustments that did not elicit a "popping" sound.

The study was published on May 28, 2008 in the scientific journal, Chiropractic & Osteopathy, by the Chiropractic & Osteopathic College of Australasia.

One of the tools of the chiropractic physician is the adjustment or manipulation of the spine and extremities.  Over the years, chiropractic physicians have reported success in treating a variety of conditions associated with bacterial and viral infection.  Manipulation of the vertebrae has an influence on neurologic function, lymphatic drainage, blood flow and muscle tension.  Recent research by Patricia C Brennan, Ph.D., suggests that manipulation may also have a great effect on certain aspects of immune function.  Her group showed that when the thoracic spine (mid-back) was adjusted, the respiratory burst cycle of white blood cells was enhanced.  Manipulation is thought to stimulate immune function, in part by promoting the release of endorphins long associated with improving immunity.

                                                                          Source: Gregory R. Salmond, D.C.
                                                                          http://www.gmrcreations.com/Salmond/chiropra.htm

Chiropractic works on the body's immune system and its cells through the nervous system, because the CD4 (T4) cells of the immune system have tiny nerves going to them. Chiropractic adjustments correct for interference to our main nervous system (brain and spinal cord), which then has a positive effect on the rest of our nervous system and body.

                                                                         Source: Life College, Atlanta, GA, USAResearch on Upper Cervical
                                                                         Adjustments and CD4 Cell Count

There is an increasing body of evidence that the nervous system is capable of modulating the immune response. Receptors for neuromodulators and neurohormones have been found on human T lymphocytes. Activation of these receptors can be stimulatory or inhibitory depending on the neuroactive substance. The immune system may be able to communicate with the nervous system using neuromodulators and neurohormones secreted by lymphocytes. Sympathetic innervation of lymphoid tissues is not restricted to blood vessels and smooth muscle, but directly supplies lymphocytes and blood precursor cells. It is theorized that spinal fixations may adversely affect the immune response through somatosympathetic reflexes. Spinal manipulation can correct the spinal fixations and may eliminate the adverse affects of somatosympathetic reflexes.

;                                                                                               Source: Fidelibus                                                                                                                                                       J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1989; 12 (4) Aug: 289–292 

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