Promising Results for ADHD from Chiropractic Care

There is good news and bad news in the world of treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  The bad news is that prescriptions for drugs such as Ritalin have increased five times over the past decade.  The further bad news, while not surprising, is that the United States accounts for 90% of these prescriptions.  Why is the prescribing of these medications for ADHD bad news? According to Peter R. Breggin, M.D., Director of the International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology and associate faculty at The Johns Hopkins University Department of Counseling, Ritalin decreases blood flow to the brain, and routinely causes other gross malfunctions in the developing brains of children. “America’s children are being exposed to a ‘prescription epidemic’ of dangerous, addictive stimulant drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall,” Dr. Breggin attests.

Furthermore, many children diagnosed with ADHD may simply have difficulty learning certain subjects, or a teacher might have difficulty with students who have a different style of learning, but the system, as it is currently constructed, often prompts school officials to encourage parents to have their children diagnosed with ADHD, according to Dr. Scott Bautch, past president of the American Chiropractic Association Council on Occupational Health.

So the “bad news,” in a nutshell, is that the condition known as ADHD is often misdiagnosed, and then it is too often treated with drugs that are dangerous and ineffective.

So what’s the good news?

The good news is that parents are becoming leery of some of the traditional medical treatment methods for ADHD.  As a result of media attention, ongoing studies, and (thanks to the Internet) the ease with which parents can connect with others who have similar experiences, people are waking up to realize that meds are often not the best answer, and that non-drug treatments can be not only safer but often more effective.  Many have found that doctors of chiropractic offer promising results with treatments that focus on postural muscles, nutrition, and lifestyle changes that affect brain activity.

Whereas traditional medical diagnosis of ADHD is based largely on a questionnaire, and so is largely a cookie-cutter approach, doctors of chiropractic are interested in dealing with underlying causes more than labeling a disease.  For this reason, our non-drug, non-invasive treatment alternatives for ADHD target those underlying problems, not just the symptoms.

While chiropractors and chiropractic neurologists have found success in treating ADHD by providing the necessary brain stimulation and spinal adjustments, we also recommend nutrition and lifestyle changes that may help correct or prevent biochemical imbalances that cause ADHD.  For example, parents are encouraged to remove as many food dyes, sugar, preservatives, and additives from their children’s diets as possible.  Avoidance of pesticides, and other chemicals is also recommended.

Chiropractors are trained to identify neurological problems and determine individual treatment plans, based on each patient’s needs.  As we so often discuss, we’re concerned with treating the whole person and the causes of diseases and issues, not just the symptoms.  So if you or someone you know is struggling with the challenges that come with having a child diagnosed with ADHD, or if you suspect your child might have such a disorder, get in touch with our office today.  You’ll be happy you did.

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