ADD / ADHD

In the past decade, prescriptions for Ritalin, a stimulant medication commonly used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increased five-fold, with 90 percent of all prescriptions worldwide consumed in the United States. As many parents grow leery of the traditional medical approach to ADHD, doctors of chiropractic are offering promising results with non-drug treatments that focus on postural muscles, nutrition and lifestyle changes that affect brain activity.

Some children may simply have difficulty learning certain subjects, but the current system—in a sense—prompts school officials to encourage their parents to have the children diagnosed with ADHD.

Doctors of chiropractic and chiropractic neurologists offer a non-drug and non-invasive treatment alternative for ADHD patients that targets the underlying problems, not just symptoms. Motor activity—especially development of the postural muscles—is the baseline function of brain activity. Anything affecting postural muscles will influence brain development. Musculoskeletal imbalance will create imbalance of brain activity, and one part of the brain will develop faster than the other, and that's what's happening in ADHD patients.

While chiropractors have found success in treating ADHD and learning disabilities by providing the necessary brain stimulation, they also recommend nutrition and lifestyle changes that may help correct or prevent biochemical imbalances that cause ADHD. Parents are encouraged to:

• Remove as many food dyes, sugar, preservatives, and additives from the diet as possible.
• Focus on natural, mostly organic foods with as few pesticides or herbicides as possible.
• Determine if there is an allergy—usually starting with dairy and gluten and try elimination diets.
• Stop using pesticide sprays in the house.
• Avoid taking medications, nicotine, alcohol, and other drugs in pregnancy that may harm the fetus.
• Find ways to relax during pregnancy. Stress on the job may affect the unborn baby's health, as well.
• Breastfeed. The first months and years of a child's life are critical to physical and psychological development. Breastfeeding mothers' diets are important as well.

The statistics showed that chiropractic care was 20 to 40 percent more effective than commonly used medications with no side effects. Chiropractic is a natural and powerful way to help regulate the chemical imbalances in children and adults by correcting imbalances in the spine and nervous system without medications.

It is estimated that as many as 5 million children in the United States alone are afflicted with ADD or ADHD in varying degrees. Symptoms often cluster with hyperactivity to include lack of concentration, short attention span, impulsivity, fidgetiness, low frustration tolerance, difficulty with compliance, and poor social interaction. Traditional methods of medical intervention are aimed at turning down the child's level of activity through the use of drugs.

Years ago it was discovered that children react to stimulating drugs, such as Ritalin and amphetamines, in an opposite manner from adults. Nowadays, children and young teenagers are commonly placed on these drugs for years to suppress their activity level. Unfortunately, this response is not without severe side effects. The known side effects of these drugs include nervousness, insomnia, stomachache, skin rashes, suicidal thoughts and violent actions towards others.

Other symptoms include loss of appetite, leading to weight loss, and accelerated heart beat. Some children become very drug dependent and experience episodes of anxiety if dosage is changed or terminated.