ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)/ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is the most commonly reported disorder among American children. It affects 3-7% of children. It is diagnosed by behavior, because there are no lab tests that can be done. The symptoms are “annoying, disruptive, or inattentive behavior” according to chiro.org.
The most common “treatment” is Ritalin. The long-term effects of this are unknown. According to drugs.com side effects include addiction, fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats; fever, sore throat, headache, aggression, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches); easy bruising, dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure), stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, vision problems, dizziness, mild headache, sweating, mild skin rash, numbness, tingling, or cold feeling in your hands or feet, nervous feeling, sleep problems (insomnia), or weight loss.
The question has to be asked… is the treatment really better than the problem?
The answer… it can be… because there are treatments other than drugs!
Diet, spinal misalignments, cranial and suboccipital strain, and heavy metal toxicity are just a few reasons a child can have ADD/ADHD.
A study published in the New York Times in September 2007 shows that food additives and colorings increase hyperactivity and decrease attention spans in a wide range of children. (1) Simple meal modifications may eliminate the need for drugs.
Doctors of Chiropractic offer a non-invasive, non-drug alternative for ADD/ADHD patients targeting the underlying cause, not just the symptoms. Anything affecting the postural muscles will affect brain development, because motor activity is an important part of the brain development process. Spinal misalignments cause problems with the postural muscles. Your Doctor of Chiropractic will fix these misalignments, giving the brain the opportunity to develop the way that it is supposed to. He/She might use special glasses or low-level laser therapy to treat the brain stem, increasing the chances of reversing ADD/ADHD.
In some cases the doctor will offer nutritional advice for vitamin deficiencies, or recommend a heavy metal detox, to give your child all the chances possible to lead a productive life.
Generations Chiropractic offers a free consultation to discuss the best protocol for the treatment of your child’s needs. Dr. Niki looks forward to helping you find solutions to these challenges for you and your child.