The nasal septum is a thin, dividing wall inside the nose that separates the left and right nasal passages. When this wall is significantly crooked or displaced, it is known as a deviated septum (DS). This common structural issue can severely restrict airflow and affect breathing. Many people with chronic nasal obstruction seek non-invasive solutions, often wondering if a chiropractor can provide a permanent fix for this anatomical misalignment. The answer depends on understanding the rigid composition of the nasal structure and the mechanical limitations of non-surgical manipulation compared to definitive medical procedures.
Understanding the Deviated Septum
The nasal septum is composed of both bone and cartilage, forming a firm barrier that runs from the front of the nose back to the throat. This structure includes the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, the vomer bone, and the quadrangular cartilage. Ideally, the septum runs straight down the center, creating two equally sized nasal cavities for unimpeded airflow.
A deviation occurs when this partition shifts off the midline, making one nasal passage significantly smaller than the other. This misalignment can be present from birth due to developmental patterns or result from physical trauma, such as a broken nose. While most people have some degree of deviation, only severe cases cause noticeable symptoms.
The resulting obstruction leads to difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, often worsened by colds or allergies. Reduced airflow causes chronic nasal congestion and may also lead to frequent nosebleeds, as the mucous membrane over the deviated area becomes dry and irritated.
Other symptoms include noisy breathing during sleep, recurrent sinus infections due to impaired drainage, facial pain, pressure, or persistent headaches. The severity of the deviation dictates the symptom impact, establishing it as a rigid structural issue requiring mechanical correction.
The Chiropractic Approach to Nasal Structures
Some chiropractors propose that techniques focused on the head and neck can influence the alignment of facial bones, including those surrounding the nasal passages. These methods, sometimes called cranial adjustments or Cranial Facial Release (CFR), involve applying light forces to bones within the skull. The premise is that minor facial bone misalignments contribute to nasal congestion and breathing difficulties.
Other approaches involve nasal-specific techniques, where a pressurized device or balloon is briefly inserted into the nasal passage to apply direct force against the septum. Proponents suggest these methods can temporarily or permanently push the deviated cartilage and bone back toward the midline, offering a non-invasive alternative to surgery.
However, a deviated septum is a physical deformity involving the permanent bending of rigid cartilage and bone in adults. Medical consensus holds that external manipulation or light-force adjustments are mechanically incapable of permanently straightening a severely crooked septum. Cartilage does not possess the flexibility of soft tissue; it cannot be simply adjusted back into a straight position once it has hardened.
While an adjustment might temporarily relieve congestion by stimulating drainage, it does not alter the underlying bony or cartilaginous structure. Long-term correction of a severe deviation through these means is not supported by scientific evidence. A permanent fix for this structural issue requires a surgical procedure performed by a specialist.
Definitive Medical Solutions
When a deviated septum causes symptoms that significantly impair a person’s quality of life, medical professionals focus on either managing the symptoms or structurally correcting the deviation. Non-surgical management is the first step, aiming to reduce the swelling of the nasal tissues that exacerbates the obstruction. This involves using nasal steroid sprays to decrease inflammation and decongestants to temporarily shrink tissue inside the nose.
While these medications improve airflow by reducing tissue bulk, they do not change the underlying structure of the septum itself. They are a method of symptom control rather than a permanent fix for the anatomical problem. When conservative treatments fail to provide adequate relief, structural correction is necessary.
The definitive treatment for a deviated septum is a surgical procedure called a septoplasty, performed by an Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist). During a septoplasty, the surgeon works through the nostrils to straighten the septum by carefully repositioning, trimming, or removing the deviated sections of cartilage and bone.
In some cases, a less invasive variation called balloon septoplasty may be used, which involves briefly inflating a balloon against the septum to push it into a straighter position. The goal of septoplasty is to maximize airflow and create two clear nasal passages. The procedure is highly effective in improving breathing and is the only method proven to permanently correct the physical deformity.