By a Struggling Mom Searching for Answers – Vital Wellness Center

Introduction: Watching My Child Suffer Seasonal Allergies

I never imagined that something as simple as springtime could bring my little boy so much misery. Every April, pollen season blankets our town in yellow dust – and with it, my son’s eyes turn red and watery, his tiny nose runs nonstop, and sneezing fits disrupt our nights. As a mom, it breaks my heart. We’ve tried the usual allergy meds; some days they help, other days he still curls up in tears, asking me “Why do I feel so bad, Mommy?” I’ve asked myself the same question: why is my child – still so young – suffering from such severe seasonal allergies?

I know I’m not alone. Talking to other parents, I hear similar stories: toddlers with constant spring sniffles, grade-schoolers who can’t play soccer outside because of wheezing and hives. In fact, childhood seasonal allergies have become alarmingly common. I dug into the research to understand what’s going on and was stunned at the statistics.

Allergies on the Rise in Our Kids

It turns out seasonal allergies (also known as allergic rhinitis or “hay fever”) have been increasing in prevalence among children over the past few decades. Worldwide, between 10–30% of children in developed countries now suffer allergic rhinitis – a rate much higher than when we parents were kids . Here in the U.S., more than 1 in 4 children have some kind of allergy, and about 18.9% (nearly 1 in 5) of U.S. children have seasonal allergies . A decade ago, that figure was a bit lower (~17% in 2011), hinting at a modest upward trend .

The experts confirm what I see in playgroups and schools – allergies really are more common now. One long-time allergist I read about noted, “We’re seeing increases in both the number of people with allergies and what they’re allergic to.” Climate change may be one reason (longer pollen seasons and more potent pollen ), along with factors like pollution and modern lifestyle. Regardless of cause, the result is clear: millions of kids are sniffling and sneezing alongside my son each allergy season.

Seasonal allergies have become increasingly common in children. The percentage of kids with hay fever and other allergies has risen in recent decades, as shown in studies from the U.S. and worldwide . (In one region of Europe, the prevalence of hay fever climbed from 8% to 12% of the population between 2004 and 2015 .) This means more parents are seeking long- term solutions for their children’s allergy struggles.

Searching for Answers Beyond Symptoms

Traditional allergy treatments (antihistamine syrups, steroid nasal sprays, etc.) can certainly help manage symptoms – and believe me, I’m grateful for those on high-pollen days. But as a mom, I started wondering: what’s causing all these allergic reactions in the first place? Why does my child’s immune system go into overdrive from a bit of tree pollen? Is there anything we can do to strengthen his body’s resistance or calm the reactions naturally?

These questions led me down a rabbit hole of research. Late at night, after my son finally fell asleep (mouth-breathing because his nose was so congested), I would scour the internet and medical sites. I discovered a fascinating area of science that I’d never heard about in any pediatrician visit: the connection between the nervous system and the immune system. In particular, I kept seeing references to something called the vagus nerve.

The Vagus Nerve: A “Bridge” Between Brain and Immune System

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body – running from the brainstem down through the neck, chest, and into the abdomen. It’s like a central communication highway between the brain and many organs, part of the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nervous system. I learned that the vagus nerve doesn’t just control heart rate and digestion, it also plays a key role in how the immune system behaves.

In my late-night reading, I found research describing the vagus nerve as an “inflammatory reflex” pathway . This essentially means the nerve helps the brain sense inflammation and then respond by sending signals to regulate the immune response. When the body faces an invader (like viruses, bacteria, or even allergens), immune cells release inflammatory chemicals (cytokines). The vagus nerve’s fibers actually detect these immune signals and relay the “alarm” to the brain . The brain, in turn, can activate efferent vagus nerve fibers to send a calming message back to the immune system: essentially telling it to “dial down” the inflammation.

Scientists have shown that stimulating the vagus nerve can suppress excessive inflammatory responses. One landmark review explained that vagal signals (via the neurotransmitter acetylcholine) can inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by immune cells . On the flip side, if the vagus nerve is not active enough or communication is disrupted, inflammation can run unchecked . This “cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway” is now being studied for conditions ranging from autoimmune diseases to depression.

What does this have to do with allergies? Allergies are essentially an inflammatory over- reaction by the immune system to harmless things (like pollen). Some emerging research in neuroimmunology suggests that nerves and immune cells interact closely in allergic conditions. For instance, studies of asthma (a close cousin of seasonal allergies) show that nerve receptors and neurotransmitters can intensify or reduce inflammation in the airways . The vagus nerve in the airways, when stimulated, tends to reduce inflammatory activity and relax the airways, whereas its absence or blockade can lead to worse inflammation.

To me, this was a lightbulb moment: Maybe my child’s nervous system – specifically his vagus nerve tone – could influence how his body handles allergens. If his immune response is more balanced, perhaps he wouldn’t react so violently to pollen exposure. This idea led me to explore therapies that focus on the nervous system. That’s when I stumbled onto an unexpected path: pediatric chiropractic care aimed not just at bones, but at the nervous system.

Illustration: The “inflammatory reflex” mediated by the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve serves as a two-way channel between the brain and immune system. Afferent signals (red arrow) carry information from immune cells to the brain when inflammation is detected. In response, efferent vagus signals (black arrow) travel from the brain back to the immune cells, releasing acetylcholine (ACh) that reduces the release of inflammatory cytokine. In this way, the nervous system helps regulate the intensity of immune responses – a key factor in conditions like allergies.

A Holistic Approach: Neurologically-Focused Pediatric Chiropractic

I’ll admit, when I first thought of chiropractic, I associated it with adults seeking relief for back or neck pain. I had no idea chiropractors might help children, let alone kids with issues like allergies. But as I read more, I found a subset of chiropractic care that is “neurologically- focused,” especially in pediatrics. The goal isn’t just to pop joints, but to gently improve the function of the nervous system – which, in turn, could influence immune function.

One pediatric chiropractor described it to me like this: The brain and nerves coordinate every system in the body, including immunity. If there are misalignments or tension in the spine (sometimes termed “subluxations” by chiropractors), they might disturb nerve signaling – including vagus nerve pathways that pass through the neck and chest. By using specific, gentle adjustments and techniques suited for kids, a chiropractor can relieve stress on the nervous system, potentially restoring better balance to immune regulation. It’s a very different approach from simply blocking histamine chemically; it’s more about helping the child’s body self-regulate.

I was both intrigued and skeptical. Could adjusting my son’s spine really help his runny nose and itchy eyes? It sounded far-fetched, but I kept an open mind as I looked for evidence. To my surprise, I found several case reports in peer-reviewed chiropractic journals documenting kids with allergies or immune-related issues finding relief after chiropractic care. These were small studies, but as a desperate mom, even anecdotes in medical literature gave me hope.

For example, one published case report discussed a 4-year-old boy who had severe eczema (an allergic skin condition), seasonal allergies, and insomnia. He received a neurologically- focused technique called Network Spinal Analysis (a gentle chiropractic approach) over two months. His mother reported that his full-body eczema rash significantly decreased in severity, he was happier and more engaged, and he even started sleeping better after the adjustments. The chiropractors had measured indicators of nervous system imbalance in this child (using surface EMG and thermal scans), and noted improvement there as well .

Another case report involved a 3-year-old girl who suffered from chronic allergies, stuffy nose, poor sleep, and even bed-wetting. After a course of pediatric chiropractic care (using light-force techniques like Torque Release and gentle instrument adjustments), her mother observed dramatic changes: “Chiropractic care was concomitant with an improvement in allergies and mood, a decrease in temper tantrums and bed-wetting, and improved sleep,” the case study notes . By the end, the child’s allergy symptoms had eased so much that the doctors suggested this was evidence of improved immune system function following chiropractic adjustments.

Reading these reports felt like finding a canteen in the desert – I was thirsty for anything that might help my child. Still, I reminded myself that two or three cases don’t prove a therapy works for everyone. What did larger studies say? I dug deeper for any broader research on chiropractic and immune/allergy conditions.

What Does the Evidence Say?

Chiropractic for allergies is still a controversial topic. Mainstream allergists often say there’s not enough large-scale evidence to recommend it as a primary treatment . It’s true that we lack big randomized trials showing “Chiropractic cures hay fever” – those studies would be expensive and complicated. However, there is some encouraging data pointing to general health benefits of chiropractic in children.

One extensive survey published in a chiropractic journal looked at 812 pediatric cases across multiple chiropractic offices. The chiropractors reported the outcomes of care for various childhood issues (some musculoskeletal, some not). Amazingly, out of 812 children, 717 cases (about 88%) showed improvement in their primary symptoms according to the practitioners. Only 9 cases (1%) had any minor aggravation of symptoms, and no serious adverse events were reported . While this survey included all kinds of complaints (from ear infections to asthma to colic), it suggests that the vast majority of parents saw positive changes in their kids with chiropractic care.

Importantly, no injuries or serious side effects were noted in that pediatric survey . The safety aspect was a huge relief to me – of course, I would never pursue something that could harm my child. The techniques used on children are very gentle (no big “cracks” like you might imagine with adult patients). In skilled hands, pediatric chiropractic appears to be low- risk, and parents in studies have typically reported high satisfaction and improvement in their kids’ wellbeing.

Outcomes of a Survey of 812 Pediatric Chiropractic Cases . In a large retrospective review, 88% of children showed improvement in their presenting symptoms after chiropractic care. A small fraction (≈11%) experienced no change, and only 1% had minor, temporary aggravations . While more rigorous research is needed, surveys like this indicate that many parents observed health improvements in their children, spanning issues from chronic ear infections to asthma and allergies.

Specific to allergies, formal research is scant and mixed. Some controlled trials on adults with asthma didn’t find significant improvement from chiropractic adjustments alone . However, those studies often didn’t focus on the nervous system angle or include pediatric patients. The case reports in children offer a window into what might be possible: reduced allergic inflammation when the spine and nervous system function are optimized. Additionally, we know from other research that chiropractic adjustments can enhance vagal nerve activity as measured by heart rate variability in some individuals (a sign of a calm, balanced nervous system) . It stands to reason – though not yet conclusively proven – that a calmer nervous system (higher vagal tone) could lead to fewer or milder allergy flare-ups.

A Mother’s Perspective: Hope and Caution

After arming myself with this knowledge, I decided to take a leap of faith and visit a pediatric chiropractor who uses a neurologically-centered approach. In our first appointment, I was struck by how compassionate and thorough she was – she spent over an hour just talking and playing lightly with my son to evaluate his spine, posture, and even his stress responses. She noted some areas in his neck and mid-back that were very tight (possibly affecting nerve pathways). The adjustments she performed were gentle; my son even giggled a couple times. Over the following weeks, he underwent a series of these treatments.

I’m still early in this journey, but I am already noticing changes. This spring has been more manageable than the last. My little boy still carries tissues, but he’s had a few clear-eyed days where he could play outside without immediately breaking into a sneezing fit. His preschool teacher commented that he seems “less tired” during allergy season than in the past. It’s too soon to declare victory, but I feel optimistic that we’re on the right track. At the very least, I know we’re addressing an underlying aspect (his nervous system) that we never looked at before.

To other parents in my shoes: I share my story and research not as a prescription, but as an inspiration. Every child is different, and allergies in particular can have many triggers and severities. Chiropractic care is not a magic cure-all, and it shouldn’t replace emergency medicines like an inhaler or EpiPen when needed. But for a child like mine – who was stuck in a cycle of daily antihistamines and still suffering – exploring a holistic adjunct like neurologically-focused chiropractic might be worthwhile. The science of the vagus nerve and immune system gives a plausible explanation for why it could help, and the early evidence and case studies show how it has helped some children.

Conclusion: Finding Holistic Help for Our Allergic Kids

Standing on the sidelines of my son’s little league game last week, I watched him run the bases with a grin on his face. The trees beyond the field were shedding pollen like crazy – a sight that used to fill me with dread. But this time, I felt a glimmer of hope. We had tools in our toolbox beyond just tissues and Zyrtec. We were supporting his body in a deeper way, coaxing his own nervous and immune systems to find balance.

My journey to understand why my child has such bad seasonal allergies led me to unexpected insights about the vagus nerve, inflammation, and the potential of chiropractic care tailored for kids’ nervous systems. I’ve learned to see my son’s body as an interconnected whole: his sneezing and eczema aren’t just “surface problems” but signals of an underlying imbalance that might be corrected. As a mom, it’s empowering to realize there may be more we can do than just react to allergy symptoms – we might help prevent or reduce them by nurturing his overall neurological and immune health.

To any parent reading this, searching for answers as I was: I encourage you to do your own research and listen to your instincts. Consult with healthcare professionals, including open- minded pediatricians or pediatric chiropractors who will put your child’s safety first. Check the sources – I’ve linked many throughout this post (from the NIH, PubMed, and reputable journals) because I know how important credible information is when making decisions for our kids.

Most of all, don’t lose hope. The rise in childhood allergies is real , and it can feel overwhelming to watch your little one struggle. But new understandings in science – like the vagus nerve’s role – are opening exciting holistic avenues for relief. I’m grateful to have discovered this intersection of neurology and immunity. It’s given my family a path forward, and I hope it might help yours too.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diagnosed Allergic Conditions in Children Aged 0–17 Years: United States, 2021. CDC NCHS Data Brief No. 459. 2023. .
2. Zave Chad. Allergies in children. Paediatr Child Health. 2001;6(8):555–566. .

3. Pavlov VA, Tracey KJ. The vagus nerve and the inflammatory reflex — linking immunity and metabolism. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2012;8(12):743–754.

4. Wu W, et al. The airway neuro-immune axis as a therapeutic target in allergic airway diseases. Respir Res. 2024;25(83). .
5. Steinberg B, et al. Decrease in allergies, nocturnal enuresis and sleep problems in a 3- year-old under chiropractic care: A case report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2021;2(5).
6. Knowles DM, et al. Improvement in eczema, allergies, insomnia and quality of life in a four-year-old child following chiropractic: A case report. J Pediatr Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2021. .
7. Rosen MG, Blum CL. Chiropractic care of pediatric nonmusculoskeletal conditions: A retrospective patient survey. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2021;1:Online Only. .
8. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), CDC. Trends in allergic conditions among children: United States, 1997–2011. NCHS Data Brief No. 121. 2013. .
9. Environmental Health Perspectives – National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Pollen Overload: Seasonal Allergies in a Changing Climate. 2016 Apr;124(4):A70–A75. .

10. AAAAI – American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Allergy Statistics. Updated 2022. .