Smoke season is a nervous-system event, not just a respiratory one

By late summer, Missoula's air quality often shifts dramatically. We see a predictable spike in headaches, poor sleep, anxiety, kids' behavioral changes, asthma flares, and a general sense of "I just feel off." Wildfire smoke is a multi-system stressor, and the autonomic nervous system carries most of the load.

Why preparing in June matters

The body responds far better to stress when it enters the stressor already regulated. Coming into smoke season with a calmer nervous system, better diaphragm mobility, and better vagal tone gives you measurably more resilience when the AQI climbs.

What we focus on in pre-smoke-season visits

• Upper cervical adjustments to support vagal and brainstem function
• Rib cage and thoracic mobility to keep breathing mechanics easy
• Cranial work to ease pressure patterns that worsen on poor air days
• Pediatric care for kids who historically struggle when smoke rolls in

Get ahead of it

Book a pre-smoke-season visit at Primal Practice.