The coronavirus pandemic has made 2020 quite an interesting year so far. We are still learning more about this virus and state and federal legislatures are still making decisions regarding social distancing, shelter-in-place orders, and the reopening of businesses. Although this is a unique time and will certainly go down in history as an important era, we can look even farther back in our country’s history to learn how best to proceed.
The Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918
In 1918, the Spanish flu pandemic ravaged the entire world. It killed millions of people and the death rate was extremely high. A source out of Iowa stated that medical doctors treated 93,950 patients who had the Spanish flu, and 6,116 of them died from the illness. That’s 1 in 15. Due to the extreme number of sick individuals, medical doctors were stretched thin and there simply weren’t enough of them to treat every patient. Chiropractors during that time were not nearly as respected as they are today, and they were not even considered real doctors, as the states refused to grant licensure to most of them. However, due to their education and the extreme need for medical care, many chiropractors were assigned flu patients to treat. In the same area in Iowa, chiropractors treated 4,735 patients with only 6 deaths. That’s 1 in 789, which is vastly different from the results that the medical doctors had.
Why Is Chiropractic So Important in a Pandemic?
Just as the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic taught us, chiropractic has a level of effectiveness that traditional medical care simply cannot compete with. While there is absolutely a time and a place for medicine, chiropractic care is something that should be utilized in any and all situations, including in a global pandemic. Chiropractic care has been shown to improve immune system function by 400% and those under regular chiropractic care consistently show an immune system response of 200% better than non-chiropractic patients. In addition to helping protect you against getting sick in the first place, chiropractic can help you heal quickly and more fully if you do get sick.
Central Nervous System Function
Bentonville chiropractors are focused on the central nervous system and how well the body functions as a whole. Although we’ve learned a whole lot more about how the body works since the 1918 flu pandemic, even back then, chiropractors understood that chiropractic adjustments increased white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infectious cells. Chiropractic adjustments improve communication between the brain and other systems of the body, allowing everything to function properly and optimally.
Just as chiropractic care was effective and necessary back in 1918, it is essential in today’s world of the coronavirus pandemic. Bentonville chiropractor Dr. Tom Niemela and his team are continuing to serve our practice members and our community with safe, natural, and effective chiropractic care during these trying times. The team is taking all necessary precautions to ensure safety and cleanliness in our office, and we would love to serve you soon and help improve your overall health and immune function.
Sources
Riley, G.W. “Osteopathic Success in the Treatment of Influenza and Pneumonia. 1919.” Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 2000 May; 100 (5): 315-319. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10850018/