ADHD / ADD and chiropractic care

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) may be the most reported childhood behavioral condition, affecting between between three percent and seven percent of American youth. It's seen as a hyperactivity in certain kids, and poor attention span, or impulsive action's other children. The diagnostic criteria are purely observational. The diagnosis is obtained by subjective assessments of frustrating, annoying, or inattentive conduct makes the diagnosis of ADD or ADHD often uncertain. There are no lab tests to confirm ADHA or ADD in children at this time.

The most typical treatment with this controversial condition is the use of a Class II controlled and addictive substance, Methylphenidate (Ritalin). The long-term ramifications of this drug on children is as yet unknown, however the side-effects such as addiction are becoming understood.

What's ADD/ADHD? Its causes are unknown at this time but suspected contributers include sensitivities to environmental substances, molds, and fungi, intolerances to foods, negative responses to food additives, and exposures to neurodevelopmental toxins, such as heavy metals and organohalide pollutants. [1]

Vitamin deficiencies are typical in ADD/ADHD. Supplementation with B vitamin complex, nutrients, flavonoids, and the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids show promising results.

A holistic/integrative management system includes nutritional change, supplementation, cleansing, and treatment of environmental toxic substances and toxic products from the house.

A 2010 study was conducted to investigate the effects of chiropractic care of ADHA [2]. in the study all patients were males, ranging in age from nine to 13 years. The researchers used a 15-item parent/teacher ADHD questionnaire and the patients' responses to chiropractic care were monitored. A retrospective case series of ADHD patients under chiropractic care is described. In this study patients improved. ADHD symptoms were found to improve under chiropractic care. These symptoms include hyperactivity, impulsive actions, and inattentiveness, as well as behavioral, social, or emotional difficulties. This study provide evidence on the effectiveness of chiropractic in the treatment of children with ADHD.

What does this mean for your child? If you are not including chiropractor as part of your child's health team you will not be obtaining the best results possible for your child. Everyone should have their spine checked occasionally but for these children and children with autism it is even more important.

By:Dr. Paul R. Mahler Jr. DC
Mahler-chiropractic.com

[1] Alternative Medicine Review 2000 (Oct); 5 (5): 402-428 Parris M. Kidd, PhD
[2] Explore (NY). 2010 (May); 6 (3): 173-182 Joel Alcantara, James Davis