According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 'Australia has one of the highest rates of asthma prevalence, morbidity and mortality in the world (AIHW 2000)'. A recent National Health Survey estimated 11% of Australians (2.04 million people) suffered from asthma. The International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC Steering Committee 1998) reported 25% of 6-7 year old and 29% of 13-14 year old Australian children suffered from this debilitating disease.

Asthma sufferers experience a severe difficulty in breathing with wheezing. The child labours to get air into the lungs and then cannot get it out again. Most sufferers feel tightness or pressure in the chest and the horrible sensation of not being able to get a full breath.

Asthma can be triggered by many factors including dust, pollens, particular foods, fecal pellets from dust mites, cat saliva, aspirin, lung infections, cold, psychological stress and even exercise.

Most pathologists believe that all forms of asthma occur due to a heightened sensitivity of the airways to a variety of stimuli. This occurs as a result of persistent inflammation of the cells of the lungs so that the lungs exist in a state just below the threshold of causing asthma symptoms. As a result only mild concentrations of allergen or irritant may result in a severe asthma attack.

In light of this, it is imperative to use all available means to decrease the causes of inflammation of the lungs. It is well established that mechanical irritation of the spine will cause inflammation of vertebral joints and their adjacent nerve roots (subluxation complex). The irritation to the nervous system at specific levels can cause overactivity of the smooth muscles of the lungs causing broncho-constriction and can cause an increased inflammatory response of lung tissue. Furthermore it is important to correct joint restriction of the rib cage and thoracic spine to allow unimpeded movement of the lungs so that full inspiration and expiration can be achieved. Chiropractic care child will only improve the health of your child and will aid standard naturopathic and medical interventions of this serious disease.