ESCANABA -- It's that time of the year again...the pollen count is up, and the moods of many who suffer from allergies are down.Allergists and conventional thinking have the many suffering from allergies reaching for over-the-counter antihistamines. But some sufferers are looking in a different direction.
Some patients seeking alternative treatments for their allergies will walk into adjustment rooms in chiropractic offices and literally put their health in the chiropractor's hands.
Mark Cardinal is one of the patients who parted ways with conventional treatments to alleviate his allergy-related sinus pressure. Cardinal has sought chiropractic treatment for the past year at Healthquest in Escanaba. He claims chiropractic adjustments have helped him completely wean himself off antihistamines.
"When I leave here, I'm not sleepy, I'm not groggy. I feel great knowing I'm not taking anything manufactured," said Cardinal.
But how can chiropractic adjustments relieve an allergic reaction?
Chiropractor Marty Laurila says it all lies in the spine.
"If we're adjusting someone's spine, we can relieve pressure from that nerve. Basically what we're looking to do is balance the body's reaction to the allergen," explained Laurila.
But Laurila is also aware of the skepticism some hold towards his field.
"A lot of people will say, I don't know if it will work or it doesn't work. Well, typically that's the type of individual that's never tried chiropractic, they've never experienced it," Laurila said.
Just how regular doses of antihistamines are needed to keep reactions at bay, so are regular chiropractic adjustments.
So whether you wash it down or pop it back, your fight with nature may be a lifelong battle.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC