Coughing, Croup and Bronchitis Resolved Under Chiropractic Care

Published in the July 2021 issue of the Asian Pacific Chiropractic Journal is the result of a case study showing the resolution of bronchitis, croup and coughing because of the introduction of chiropractic care. This case was documented from a private practice in Australia's capital city of Canberra.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, "Croup refers to an infection of the upper airway, which obstructs breathing and causes a characteristic barking cough. The cough and other signs and symptoms of croup are the result of swelling around the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea) and bronchial tubes (bronchi)." From the same website, the Mayo clinic describes bronchitis as, "Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. People who have bronchitis often cough up thickened mucus, which can be discolored. Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic."

This case study is about a young girl who was suffering with bronchitis, croup and coughing that began at 4 months of age. The child had suffered with intermittent coughs, croup, and bronchitis. On one occasion, the croup was severe enough to lead to a trip to the hospital.

The child's history notes that she was been born via Caesarian section at 38 weeks with no complications. However, they did report that her mother was suffering with gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and bad morning sickness while she was pregnant.

The study reports that the child was brought to a chiropractor after the mother started noticing the child's illness. The child was chiropractically examined and subluxations were shown to be present. Specific forms of chiropractic adjustments were then rendered. Chiropractic care was continued on a regular basis for this girl through the time of the writing of this case study, at which time the girl was 5 years old.

The study results show that the coughing dramatically reduced with chiropractic care to the point where the girl was able to go for a 3-and-a-half-year period with no cough at all. In addition to her main health issues, the study also noted that other common growing issues and pains were also relieved while under chiropractic care. The research study author noted that the young girl "...was almost always visibly happier and more relaxed post-treatment."

In the study discussion the author wrote, "There is limited literature on paediatric (sp for UK) cough, croup and/or bronchitis but this paper has demonstrated that... (specific forms of) ...Chiropractic adjustments over time has led to an almost permanent reduction of coughing symptoms in this patient. The limited literature also suggests that Chiropractic intervention is a good care option to consider if medical intervention is ineffective. Given the excellent results from a number of limited paediatric articles, further studies are needed to see if Chiropractic Care could be a good modality to consider first when symptoms of paediatric cough, croup, bronchitis or asthma arise."