Improvement of respiratory function, breathing ability, bronchitis

The lungs and bronchi receive an extensive nerve supply form the spine. Case reports and research studies have repeatedly demonstrated an improvement in respiratory function as a result of spinal care.

Chiropractic adjustments of the cervicothorasic spine for the treatment of bronchitis with complications of atelectasis. Hart, D.L. Libich, E, Ficher R. International Review of Chiropractic, Mar/April 1991.

A comparison of the effect of chiropractic treatment on respiratory function in patients with respiratory distress symptoms and patients without. Hviid C. Bulletin of the European Chiropractic Union, 1978;17-34.
It is suggested that there is a change of the peak flow rate and the vital capacity in patients with obstructive lung disease after chiropractic care.

Treatment of visceral disorders by manipulative therapy. Miller WD. In: Goldstein M, Ed. The Reasearch Status of Spinal Manipulative Therapy. Bethesda: Dept. HEW. 1975:295-301.
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were treated with osteopathic manipulation. 92% of the patients stated they were able to walk greater distances, had fewer colds, experienced less coughing, and had less dyspnea then before treatment.

Relation of faulty respiration to posture, with clinical implications. Lewit K. JAOA, 1980, 79:525-529.
The relation of faulty respiration and posture of the spine and pelvis is considered.

Somatic Dyspnea and the orthopedics of respiration. Masarsky CS, Weber M Chiropractic Technique, 1991; 3:26-29
Author's Abstract: Several brief cases are presented which the syptom of dyspnea was alleviated or abolished following the correction of the vertebral subluxation complex or other somatic dysfunction. In discussing such cases, the term "somatic dyspnea" is suggested to denote air hunger or shortness of breath related to somatic dysfunction. Somatic dyspnea is a condition which may accompany other causes of dyspnea (lung pathology, psychogenic or "functional" causes, etc.) or it can exist a lone. In our chiropractic practice, most somatic dyspnea is seen as a secondary condition in patients presenting primarily with orthopedic complaints. When the syptom is secondary, the patient will often not mention it until and examination procedure reproduces it or treatment causes it to improve or disappear. The response to manipulative therapy is sometimes so dramatic and rapid that a strong linkage between the dyspnea and the primary presenting complaint is suggested.

Chiropractic and lung volumes - a retrospective study. Masarsky CS, Weber M. ACA Journal, Sept, 1986; 20:65-68.
Lung vital capacity was found greater after chiropractic adjustment.

Chiropractic and lung volumes - a retrospective study. Masarsky CS, Weber M. ACA Journal, Sept, 1988; 11:505-510.
A 53-year-old man with 20 years of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was treated with chiropractic, nutritional advice and exercises. Improvements were noted in forced vital capacity, coughing, fatigue and ease of breathing.

Somatic dyspnea and the orthopedics of respiration. Masarsky CS, Weber M. Chiropractic Technique, 1991:3:26-29.
From the abstract: "Several brief cases are presented in which the syptom of dyspnea (shortness of breathe, air hunger) was alleviated or abolished following the correction of vertebral subluxation complex or other somatic dysfunctions.

Lung function in relation to thoracic spinal moiblity and kyphosis. Mellin G, Harjula R. Scand, J. Rehab. Med., 1987: 19:89-02.
Mobility of the thoracic spin shown to directly effect respiratory function.

Somatic dysfunction associated with pulmonary disease. Beal MC, Morlock JW, JAOA, vol.84 No.2 Oct. 1984.
A review of osteopathic literature on respiratory disease revealed that the majority of those with lung disease had changes in the spinal area T2-7.

The physiologic response to the nose to osteopathic manipulative treatment: preliminary report. Kaluza Cl, Sherbin M, May 1983, JAOA, Vol. 82 No.9
The work of breathing was lessened after treatment.