Chiropractic During Allergy Season
How gentle neck adjustments can ease sinus pressure, congestion, and foggy-headed days
Spring and fall often fill waiting rooms with the same complaints. Sinus pressure behind the eyes. Sneezing that will not quit. A foggy head that makes the day feel longer than it should. Many patients are surprised when their chiropractor asks about these symptoms during an adjustment visit.
The upper cervical spine sits close to the brainstem and the nerves that influence sinus tissues. When the top bones of the neck lose proper alignment, irritation in that area can affect muscle tone, circulation, and drainage in the head and face. Gentle adjustments in this region aim to restore motion and reduce nerve irritation. Patients frequently report that their head feels lighter and their sinuses feel more open shortly after care.
Research has shown that spinal adjustments may influence immune system function by affecting the nervous system [1]. That connection helps explain why some people notice fewer allergy flare-ups under regular chiropractic care.
One patient shared that every April, she would wake up at 3 AM with pressure across her forehead. She kept tissues on her nightstand and rarely slept through the night. During one visit, she mentioned it casually, assuming nothing could be done. After a series of upper cervical adjustments, she returned with a smile and said she had slept through the night for the first time in weeks. The sneezing had not completely vanished, but the intensity had dropped, and the pressure had eased.
Another patient described a constant drip in the back of his throat each fall. He noticed that when his neck felt tight from long hours at the computer, his sinus congestion worsened. As his spinal motion improved, so did his breathing comfort.
Chiropractic care does not target pollen or mold in the air. It focuses on how the body responds. When spinal joints move well, and nerve communication is clear, muscles around the sinuses can relax, making normal drainage more likely. Reduced tension in the upper neck may also ease headaches that often accompany seasonal allergies.
Many patients add regular adjustments to their spring and fall routines. They often report clearer breathing, less facial pressure, and better sleep. For those who struggle every year with congestion and inflammation, checking the alignment of the upper neck may be a simple step that supports the body’s ability to handle the season.
Teodorczyk-Injeyan JA, Injeyan HS, Ruegg R. Spinal manipulative therapy reduces inflammatory cytokines but not substance P production in normal subjects. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2006;29(1):14-21.
