Can Chiropractic Care Help with COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition that causes decreased airflow to the lungs. It affects nearly 330 million people worldwide, making it one of the leading causes of lung-related disability and death. For many, COPD symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic cough, and reduced stamina, making everyday activities like walking or even getting dressed more difficult.

Medication, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation are standard treatments, but patients can also consider complementary approaches to improve their quality of life with COPD. One promising (and maybe surprising) option is chiropractic care, which may improve breathing mechanics and help patients move with greater ease.

How COPD Restricts Breathing

COPD damages airways and lung tissue, causing narrowing and loss of elasticity. This creates:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Overuse of accessory breathing muscles (neck, shoulders, chest)
• Poor posture from chronic strain
• Reduced exercise tolerance

Over time, this leads to a cycle: difficulty breathing causes poor posture, which then further restricts the rib cage and diaphragm.

The Chiropractic Connection: Restoring Chest Expansion

Chiropractic adjustments primarily target spinal alignment, but their benefits may extend to lung function. By improving posture and reducing restrictions in the thoracic spine and rib joints, chiropractic care can:

• Increase chest wall mobility
• Support diaphragm efficiency
• Decrease muscle tension in the back, neck, and chest
• Enhance overall lung expansion

Elevate Insight: Chiropractors often see that COPD patients carry tension in their upper back and shoulders due to shallow, labored breathing. By releasing these restrictions, patients may feel less “compressed” in their chest, which can make inhalation easier and cause less fatigue.

What the Research Shows

A 2015 systematic review in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine examined chiropractic interventions for COPD and found that 5 out of 6 studies reported improved lung function and exercise performance.

Exercise Tolerance

One study measured 6-minute walking distance after chiropractic adjustments and noted that patients could walk farther with less fatigue, suggesting better oxygen utilization.

Posture and Lung Volume

Research also shows that poor spinal posture is associated with reduced lung capacity. By correcting spinal alignment, chiropractic care may indirectly support greater lung volumes.

Complementary Approaches to COPD Management

While chiropractic adjustments may support better breathing, they are not a replacement for medical care. The most effective approach combines standard COPD treatments with supportive therapies, including:

• Pulmonary rehabilitation – structured exercise and breathing education
• Nutritional counseling – supporting a healthy weight to reduce lung strain
• Smoking cessation – quitting smoking remains the most effective intervention
• Stress management – anxiety and stress can worsen shortness of breath

Is Chiropractic Care Right for COPD Patients?

Chiropractic care is safe, drug-free, and non-invasive. While it does not cure COPD, studies suggest it may improve breathing mechanics, enhance exercise tolerance, and reduce muscle tension that restricts lung expansion

For people living with COPD, every breath matters. Patients often report that adjustments leave them feeling more open, relaxed, and able to breathe with less effort—an important quality-of-life improvement. When combined with medical management, this holistic approach can help patients breathe easier and live more fully.

Contact Elevate Chiropractic in Fort Collins for a complementary initial consultation or schedule an adjustment with one of our specialists to start breathing easier!

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