HIV/AIDS
Immune function is one of the most exciting areas of study in chiropractic, as new research provides evidence of improved immunocompetence from spinal adjustments. These studies increasingly reveal the health benefits of addressing misalignments in the spine that cause nerve interference.
were either HIV-positive or had full-blown AIDS and were receiving medical treatment. In addition, five patients started chiropractic care. After 6 months, those not under chiropractic care suffered a decline of 7.96% in CD4 levels (and two deaths) while the group receiving chiropractic adjustments experienced a 48% increase in CD4 cell counts.
This indicates that correction of upper cervical subluxation could improve immunocompetence. The study was originally intended to go on for one year, but after two patients in the control group died of AIDS, Dr. Grostic decided to end the study and put the surviving controls under chiropractic care.
In clinical trials monitored by the Rand Corporation and conducted at Life University, chiropractic showed great potential to boost immune function. Several other preliminary studies have also shown immune system boosting. In 1991 Patricia Brennan, PhD, conducted a study that demonstrated an increased immune function following a thoracic (mid back) adjustment. Dr. Pero stated in his research that “Chiropractic patients in the study had 200 percent greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic, and 400 percent greater immune competence than people with cancer or other serious disease.”
The article also notes that chiropractic can also help with secondary symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS. Secondary symptoms are usually the main reason HIV/AIDS patients seek chiropractic in the first place. According to the article, Craig Martin, DC, notes that eighty percent of HIV/AIDS patients report some degree of neuropathy, which includes symptoms such as numbness, tingling and/or burning. With chiropractic care these patients reported a significant decrease in symptoms. Patrece Frisbee, DC, of Stratogen Health of Miami Beach, a multidisciplinary clinic, reports 80% of her patients are HIV positive, “and they need extensive chiropractic care because of the wide array of side effects that accompany the powerful prescribed medications.”
The article closes with a powerful chiropractic endorsement, concluding, “Chiropractic is an alternative that will work with HIV/AIDS patients. It has broadened the view of chiropractic as a mind/body therapy. Its role in healthcare is increasing every day. If you aren’t under chiropractic, then you are not allowing your body to perform at 100 percent.”
