Improving your immune system is an important factor of living a long and healthy life. Along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, consider attending chiropractor appointments to help your body fight off illnesses. Here are a few frequently asked questions to help you understand the relationship between the immune system and chiropractic care.

How Does Chiropractic Care Affect Your Immune System? 

What does your immune system do?

The human immune system fights off invading bacteria, viruses, fungi, and pathogens that can threaten your health. The adenoid glands, bone marrow, lymph nodes, tonsils, and spleen are examples of body parts that contain cells that protect you from infection.

What can harm it?

Your body’s response to invading bacteria may be limited if you have cancer, immunodeficiency disorder, allergic disorder, or autoimmune issues. These conditions often involve the body attacking itself.

Getting a cold or virus can cause an infection, like swollen lymph nodes. Your body will send macrophages that try to eat the invading bacteria. If they don’t remove all of the viruses, the body will activate white blood cells to attach to the infection and destroy it. You gain immunity when these cells form antibodies that help them recognize the issue faster for the next time you get sick.

Can chiropractic care affect the immune system?

When your spine isn’t aligned and causes you pain, you may have a lower immune response. Your body is too busy trying to preserve itself to have the resources to fight off infection. A chiropractor can provide alignments and exercises to limit the pain and improve posture, which may benefit your body’s focus on fighting illnesses.

Is your nervous system involved in immune response?

Studies have found that nervous system injuries to the spinal cord or brain can lower immune function. People with these health issues may be more susceptible to infections.

Chiropractors can improve the nervous system by reducing subluxations, or dislocated joints, like slipped spinal cord discs. They can help ensure the body can communicate and safeguard the immune system.

If you’re interested in improving your immune system by visiting a chiropractor, contact Lincoln Chiropractic Center in Lincoln County, NE, to schedule an appointment. The passionate team offers treatments for neck and back pain, headaches, and car accident injuries. Call (402) 464-5567 or visit the website for information about their non-invasive techniques.