Chiropractic Adjustments During a Fever
By Sara Butler
If your child is scheduled for an adjustment and they come down with a fever, you may think twice about bringing them in to see the chiropractor. This probably should give you pause, as it’s frowned upon to take sick people public places – but you should take them to the chiropractor. Here are a few of the reasons why an adjustment during a fever isn’t a bad thing.
All About a Fever
There are definitely times when a fever is a cause for concern, but for the most part, a fever is a healthy response to illness and a defense against infection.
When an invader threatens a human body the temperature of the body rises to make it a less hospitable place for the virus or bacteria to set up shop. When your child’s body has a fever it is actually producing something called interferon, which has powerful antiviral and antibiotic effects in the body.
Chiropractors know fevers are a good thing and view fevers as normal and a way the body protects itself from illness. Remember, fevers play an important role in a body’s ability to develop immunity against an infection, so it’s usually best to let a fever run its course and not be afraid of a fever.
What to Do
Unless your child’s fever is accompanied by symptoms such as abnormal behavior or seizures, difficulty breathing or extreme fatigue, there’s really no reason to do anything about it. It is important to keep your child well hydrated during a fever and not to overdress them. You need to let their body heat regulate itself, so loose and breathable clothing is usually best.
Chiropractic Care for Fevers
It’s important to understand that taking your child to the chiropractor when they have a fever isn’t something you do in order to cure it. What a chiropractic adjustment will do during a fever and illness is remove some of the stress and interference the central nervous system may be experiencing by getting the spine aligned. When the spine is aligned, the body should be much more efficient and stronger – but it may have no impact on the actual fever itself.
Chiropractors know there is a time and a place for all kinds of medical care, but a simple fever is not a time to load your child up with drugs. Spinal health is important no matter what may be ailing you and your family, so while you may want to give your chiropractor’s office a head’s up that you or your child is sick, you still want to keep your appointment at The Joint Chiropractic for an adjustment!