Pediatric ADHD and Chiropractic
There is a strong distinction between adult ADHD and Pediatric ADHD, the adult can choose his/her course in resolving his disability, whereas the child is dependant on his/her parents to make an educated decision for him/her. So let’s do that, let’s get educated on Pediatric ADHD.
There are 6 different types of ADHD; 1) Classical ADD, 2) Inattentive ADD, 3)Overfocussed ADD, 4)Temporal lobe ADD, 5) Limbic ADD, and 6)”Ring of Fire” ADD. (Amen, 2001) These types range from the traditional thought of ADD with it’s decreased attention span, to increased rage, to a combination of ADD and depression. Because society is truly informed solely on type 1, classical ADD, we will spend the rest of this blog discussing what the majority of the population and health care providers consider ADD.
ADD is becoming one of the most common diagnoses given to children today, and more than 1.5 million children between the ages of 5-14 years are currently taking Ritalin for this condition. (Warner, 1997). One of the reasons for this over-diagnosis is the clinical method in which many of the physicians are utilizing to diagnose, a checklist. There are various different checklists that physicians use, ranging from thorough to general, and it depends on the physician’s attitude to which checklist is appropriate. For example, a checklist may only consist of Innattention: loses things, is easily distracted, pays little attention to detail, makes careless mistakes, has short attention span, is forgetful in daily activities. And Hyperactivity: impulsivity fidgets, talks excessively. Whereas other checklists may begin brief and then further tests/checklists/questionnaires may be performed as well as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans which help visualize the brain and identify which areas of the brain are over-firing/under-firing on a regular basis and when challenged with a mental task. As you can imagine the cost and time of running extra tests and SPECT scans can be quite extravagant and much more than the typical health care provider is willing to provide. (Amen, 2001) (This is why there is an over-prescription/diagnosis of ADHD today.)
The other main problem, on top of the over-diagnosis, is the over-prescription that goes with it. As the medical doctors diagnose the condition they attempt to treat automatically with what they know best, drugs. However, drugs such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) the most common drug of choice for ADD, have various side effects such as lack of appetite, trouble falling asleep, headaches or stomachaches, irritability, crankiness, crying emotional sensitivity, staring into space, loss of interest in friends, tics, ( eye blinking, throat clearing), rapid pulse of increased blood pressure, nervous habits (Amen, 2001). Remember, this is your child. Do you really want to put your child on a drug that is derived from the street drug Speed, and is not researched enough, (correctly and honestly) to give you honest results that this drug will not harm your child. Wouldn’t you rather try alternative methods to help your child grow into the adult that he/she is destined to become?
Alternative methods for treating ADD
Although physicians, as well as pharmacists are advised to explain to parents and the children that taking medication should be done as “part of a total treatment plan including psychological, educational and social measures” (Drug Monograph Print: Hy-Vee Food and Drug Center, 2005) it is rarely performed and medication is the sole avenue traveled. However, the alternative approach is now increasing in popularity due to frustrated parents tired of drugging their children (Alcantara, 2002). Alternative methods include Biochemical therapies such as vitamins and nutritional supplements, and herbal remedies, and Body therapies which include exercise, nutrition, environmental changes and mind-body techniques such as hypnosis, psychotherapy and biofeedback. Yet one of the most interesting is the Biomechanical therapies that include “spinal manipulation” and massage (Chan, 2002).
When you think of nervous system doctor, who do you think of? Correct, a Chiropractor. Therefore wouldn’t it make sense to bring a child with a nervous system illness/disorder to the specialist? Chiropractors, and the chiropractic adjustment, help rid the body of interference in the nervous system and thus allow the body to work at its optimal level. A study conducted in 1989 by Giessen et al. reported that chiropractic adjustments helped to decrease the hyperactivity of children. As well, Texas A&M University conducted an independent research study comparing twelve children receiving chiropractic care and twelve children receiving medical care. The results showed that the children receiving chiropractic care improved more than the children treated with drugs in areas such as verbal output, reading and comprehension, attitude and self esteem, coordination and emotional maturity (Singer, 2000). Therefore, chiropractic adjustments are an integral part of care for a child with ADHD.
Don’t you think you deserve it to your child to look at these alternatives and help your child control and decrease his/her ADHD symptoms via natural and conservative methods? It could be as simple as having your child see a chiropractor, modify his/her diet and exercise and work on a positive thought process program. Aren’t these things all great for your child anyway? Exactly.
ChiropracticUSA is located at 1004 Anna Knapp Blvd, ste 1. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. Please call 843-881-0046 for further information or an appointment.
Dr. Matthew Murrin, DC, BSc Kin, PFLC, CEP
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