Attention Deficit Disorders and Hyperactivity (ADD and ADHD)
According to figures released by the National
Association of Teachers, over 35% of all school aged children
have been diagnosed and labeled disabled (including physical,
mental and emotional disorders and learning disabilities.)
The fastest growing population in the United States is now
children with disabilities. Millions of children are being
drugged every day before going to school. These children
need an opportunity to be treated naturally before resorting
to chemical treatment with proven deleterious side-effects.
Chiropractic and the disabled child by Bobby Doscher, D.C.
Editorial in Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol. 1 No. 4 May 1995.
Upper
Cervical Chiropractic Care For A Nine-Year-Old Male With
Tourette Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,
Depression, Asthma, Insomnia, and Headaches: A Case Report
Elster EL J Vertebral Subluxation Research
July 12, 2003, p
1-11
Upper cervical care was used for a nine-year old male with
Tourette Syndrome (TS), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD), depression, asthma, insomnia, and headaches since
age 6. Forceps were used during his delivery. His medications
included Albuterol™, Depakote™, Wellbutrin™,
and Adderall™.
Chiropractic care using an upper cervical
technique corrected and stabilized the patient’s subluxation. After 6 weeks
of care, all 6 conditions were no longer present and all
medications were discontinued with the exception of a half-dose
of Wellbutrin™. At the conclusion of his case at 5
months, all symptoms remained absent. The response to care
suggests a link between the patient’s traumatic birth,
the upper cervical subluxation, and his neurological conditions.
Increasing
retention rates among the chemically dependent in residential
treatment: Auriculotherapy and subluxation-based chiropractic
care. Holder JM, Duncan RC, Gissen M et al Molecular Psychiatry
Vol. 6, Supplement 1 - February, 2001,
This was a randomized
study of auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture) versus a capsule
placebo group among 66 residential patients. The study suggests
that non-medication based treatment could have a positive effect
on retention in a residential program. It was carried out to
help reduce the lethargy, pain, dysphoria, sleep disturbances,
anxiety and depression experienced by those who have attempted
abrupt discontinuation of high-dose chemical used
Based on these
results, a randomized, placebo controlled, single blind study
utilizing subluxation-based chiropractic care was implemented
in the same residential setting.
Three groups were randomized.
98 subjects (14 female and 84 male) were enrolled after giving
informed consent. The entire Active group completed the 28-day
program, while only 24 (75%) of the Placebo group and 19 (56%)
of the Usual Care group completed 28 days. The Active group
showed a significant decrease in anxiety while the Placebo
group showed no decrease in anxiety.
In summary, these modalities
show significant promise for increasing retention of patients
in the residential setting.
“After examining several diagnosed ADHD children,
we find an upper cervical subluxation that can lead to neurotransmitter
involvement.” Larry Webster, D.C. International Chiropractic
Pediatric Association Newsletter. January 1996.
Tucker’s Story. Barnes T. (Kentuckiana Children’s
Center) Int’l Chiropractic Assn. Review Sept/Oct 2000.
Four-year-old Tucker was diagnosed with attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, autism and manic-depression. He was
not toilet trained, would eat dirt and would grind his teeth.
He was taking three strong drugs with toxic side effects.
Until 12-15 months of age he was a normal, healthy, vocal
child. He then regressed to autism and lost his verbal skills.
Under
chiropractic care his grinding has decreased dramatically,
his hyperactivity has decreased and his eye contact has improved.
His mother reports that Tucker has been smiling and showing
more facial expression.
Note from Dr. Koren: There is a good
probability that Tucker appears to be suffering from vaccine
damage. The majority of parents of autistic children report
their child’s
autism appeared shortly after their shots, particularly the
MMR shot which is given from 12-15 months of age. However,
the initial shots, which are given shortly after birth and
at two months, are known to cause autism and other neurological/developmental
disorders.
Noah’s Story Leisman N. (Kentuckiana Children’s
Center) Int’l Chiropractic Assn. Review Sept/Oct 2000.
Noah was 10 years old with chronic congestion, possible allergies
and “high energy and activity levels.” He had
been on Ritalin for one year, when he was 7-8 years old,
but it was discontinued as it affected his ability to think,
learn and organize information.
Chiropractic analysis revealed
vertebral subluxations in Noah’s spine. He was also
found to have high levels of aluminum and lead in his system.
Noah
began receiving chiropractic adjustments, nutritional supplementation
and dietary recommendations. His chronic congestion resolved.
His activity level began to decrease in intensity - he was
able to stay focused longer. Noah’s
progress continues
ADHA – a mother’s testimony to
chiropractic care. Letter sent to Dennis Davis, DC. Int’l
Chiropractic Pediatric Assn. Newsletter Jan/Feb 2000. Mother’s
name withheld by request.
My son Jarad…was five when he was diagnosed with
ADHD. He was a very sweet content child until his 5th birthday…he
started acting out in an angry and uncontrollable manner.
Although it was a hard decision, we chose to medicate.
We started
chiropractic care. After six visits he brought home a note
from his teacher stating how well he was doing. He was being
very cooperative, not talking, and hadn’t
missed any homework assignments. At home was the biggest
change. He was offering to help around the house, getting
along with his younger siblings, and overall a very happy
child. We don’t know how long this will last, but at
this time in our life we are extremely happy with the outcome.
And if this continues maybe someday…no medication!
ADHD:
A Mother’s Testimonial. Int’l Chiropractic
Pediatric Assn. Newsletter. July/August 1998
When Kevin was
3 he was diagnosed as having ADHD. After trying diet changes,
allergy testing and behavior modification techniques, we reluctantly
agreed to put Kevin on Ritalin. The medication did its job
as far as slowing him down a bit, but he suffered many side
effects. In 2 years he grew only 2 inches and did not gain
any weight at all. He cried easily, had trouble sleeping, no
appetite, and would “zone
out” quite often.
Finally at age 6 we made the decision
to stop giving him Ritalin. He grew 6 inches in less than 1
year and gained nearly 15 pounds. His sleeping and eating patterns
were still erratic, and the schoolwork was horrible…his
writing was illegible and math made no sense to him.
We brought
him to Dr. D’Angiolillo for chiropractic
care, twice a week for 6 weeks. This past week when I went
to his parent-teacher conference, the first thing the teacher
asked me was had we put Kevin back on Ritalin. I said no,
and she showed me samples of Kevin’s work and showed
me the sudden improvement…for the first time his writing
is in the lines, it is easy to read and much more age appropriate.
Although he still tends to move around more than the average
child does, he is able to concentrate, answer questions correctly
and is reading better than most of his class!
Comment from Dr.
Koren: Dr. Angiolillo is in private practice in North Brunswick,
NJ.
ADHD – A multiple case study. Wendel P, International
Chiropractic Pediatric Association. March/April 1998.
This is
a 12-month study of 21 children: 17 male and 4 female, ages
six to sixteen years. Eight of the children in the study are
on Ritalin. After 5 months of care, thirteen of the initial
21 children are still participating in the study. Five of
the remaining children are on Ritalin.
Case Reviews:
1. Female, age 10. Poor grades due to lack of
focus on homework. After three months of care, she received “Most Improved
Student” award for bringing grades from an F and a
D to an A and B, respectively.
2. Male, age 13. History included
traumatic birth (cord wrapped around neck). He did not crawl
as a young child. After four weeks of care (including learning
to cross crawl) he improved his grades from four F’s
to a B, D and notable improvement in the remaining 2 classes.
3.
Male, age 12. He was run over by a car while riding a skateboard
at age 5. He exhibited severe discipline problems at school
with school suspension several times and was failing all
classes. There has been little behavior improvement but grades
have improved to a B, three Cs and two Ds.
4. Male, age 15.
Tested positive for allergies and had severe hand tremors.
After one week of care his hand tremors diminished. After 5
months his grades improved to 3 As, 2Bs and 1C.
Child with chronic
illness: respiratory infections, ADHD, and fatigue. Response
to chiropractic care. Peet P, Chiropractic Pediatrics 1997
3(1): 12.
This is the case study of an eight-year-old boy with
ADHD, constant throat congestion and raspy voice, ear infections
or other upper respiratory infections, flat feet, fatigue,
loss of physical stamina and low back pain.
He had experienced
seizures when he had infections so he was placed on Phenobarbitol ™.
His mother reported that whenever he stayed up late he got
sick. Symptoms of poor health started immediately after birth.
Birth history was of a premature birth, forceps and vacuum
extraction.
Chiropractic care was initiated with 3 visits a
week for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks mother reported that her son’s
posture “dramatically improved.” He could sit
still for much longer periods of time, no longer talked with
a constantly raspy voice, no longer suffered from back pain,
had a better disposition and didn’t get sick when he
stayed up late.
ADD, enuresis, toe walking. International Chiropractic
Pediatric Association Newsletter May/June 1997. From the
records of Rejeana Crystal, D.C., Hendersonville, TN.
This is
the case of a six-year-old boy with nightly nocturnal enuresis
(bedwetting), attention deficit disorder and toe walking who
was brought to the chiropractor.
He walked with his heels 4
inches above the ground. As treatment, the medical specialist
recommended that both Achilles’ tendons
be cut and both ankles be broken to achieve normal posture
and gait.
Chiropractic findings included subluxation of atlas,
occiput, sacrum and pelvis…after 4 weeks of care both
heels dropped 2 inches and the bedwetting frequency decreased
to 2-3 times per week. He continues care.
Adjusting the hyperactive/ADD
pediatric patient. Peet, JB Chiropractic Pediatrics, 1997;2(4):12-15
This
is the case of an 8-year-old diagnosed with ADD and hyperactivity.
For three years (since kindergarten) the child had been on
Ritalin ™ and Prozac ™ and undergoing
behavior modification.
By his 2nd adjustment the mother noted
that the child could sit still longer, though he appeared
more irritable. After 3 weeks of chiropractic care all medication
was removed and after 6 weeks of care the school noted improvement
in cognitive skills task concentration, ability to control
emotions and decreased aggressiveness.
A multi-faceted chiropractic
approach to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a case
report. Barnes, TA ICA International Review of Chiropractic.
Jan/Feb 1995 pp.41-43.
From the abstract:
This is the case of an 11-year-old boy with
medically diagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The
child had a history of early disruptive behavior, repeated
ear infections, consistent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction,
heavy metal intoxication, food allergy, environmental sensitivity
and multiple levels of biomechanical alteration.
[Under chiropractic
care] He has improved academically and has advanced to the
next grade level...he recognizes that he has control over his
behavior and there is hope that he will be mainstreamed back
into a regular public school setting soon...his mother says
she notices improvement in his attention span and temper.
(The
paper emphasizes the need for care in all aspects of the structural,
chemical and mental triangle of health in children with attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder.)
Epileptic seizures, nocturnal
enuresis, ADD. Langley C. Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol 1 No.
1, April, 1994.
This is the case of an eight-year-old female
with a history of epilepsy, heart murmur, hypoglycemia, nocturnal
enuresis and attention deficit disorder.
She had been to five
pediatricians, three neurologists, six psychiatrists and been
hospitalized ten times. The child had been on Depakote ™, Depakene ™, Tofranil ™ and
Tegretol ™.
She had been a difficult birth, a cesarean
had to be performed under general anesthesia. The mother was
told the baby was allergic to breast milk and formulas and
was placed on prescription feeding.
The doctors told the mother
the girl would never ride a bike or do things like normal children.
The child was wetting the bed every night and experiencing
10-12 seizures/day, with frequent mood swings, stomach pains
and diarrhea. She attended special education classes for the
learning disabled.
Chiropractic adjustments were given at C1
and C2 for 3 times per week. Two weeks after beginning care
the bed-wetting began to resolve and was completely resolved
after six months. She was also leaving special education classes
to enter regular fifth grade classes.
After one year of chiropractic,
her seizures were much milder and diminished to 8-10 per week.
She was released from psychiatric care as “self managing.” Her
resistance to disease increased. She now rides a bike, roller
skates and ice skates like a normal child. She is expected
to be off all medication within a month.
First report on ADD
study. Webster L. International Chiropractic Pediatric Association
Newsletter. Jan. 1994.
Case #1: Ten-year-old girl on 60 mg.
Ritalin/day, severe scoliosis of 48° Cobb angle. After ten adjustments mother
reported a happier child, with a better immune system with
much higher endurance. Re-exam revealed scoliosis reduced
to 12° . After two months care, off all medication.
Case
#2: 12-year-old boy diagnosed as ADD with asthma and seizures.
After 8 adjustments the parent withdrew all medication with
the cooperation of their MD. Positive personality changes were
noted.
Hyperactivity, stuttering, slow learner,
retarded growth. Webster, L. Chiropractic Showcase Magazine,
Vol. 2, Issue 5, Summer 1994.
Case Studies. Male - age 7 years.
The child suffered from hyperactivity, stuttering, slow learning,
retarded growth, left leg approximately 1” shorter than right with a
limp while walking. Medical plans were to break the left
leg and insert metal rods in an attempt to stimulate growth
and equalize the boy’s leg lengths.
Chiropractic examination
revealed the following subluxations: Sacrum anterior, inferior
on left, 5th lumbar body left, atlas, anterior superior left.
Patient
was placed on an intensive correction program of 3 times weekly
for a period of two months. During the first seven visits the
legs were never balanced, although with each visit a reduction
of the discrepancy occurred. By the 8th visit the legs balanced
for the first time and:
1. The stuttering had stopped.
2. Grades in school had risen
from non-satisfactory to satisfactory.
3. The hyperactivity
had abated.
4. The limp was no longer constant.
Effects
of biomechanical insult correction on attention deficit disorder.
Arme J. J of Chiropractic Case Reports, Vol. 1 No. 1 Jan. 1993.
This
is the case of a seven-year-old male who was referred by his
mother because of radical behavioral changes that included
uncharacteristic memory loss, inability to concentrate and
general agitation following a motor vehicle accident. Other
symptoms included loss of appetite, headache, difficulty chewing,
ear pain, hearing loss, difficulty breathing through the nose,
neck pain, and bilateral leg pain.
His M.D. diagnosed the child
as having “attention
deficit disorder” and prescribed Ritalin that the parents
felt gave partial improvement. After four months on Ritalin,
the mother sought chiropractic care.
Spinal examination revealed
subluxations at C2 and C3, and reversal of cervical curve
from C1-C4. Adjustments were given 3 times a week for 16
weeks and 2 times a week for one week. At a twelve week follow-up,
a restoration of cervical curve had occurred, with residual
C2 anterolisthesis. At 17 weeks, Ritalin was stopped by their
M.D. and the child was no longer considered to have attention
deficit syndrome. The other symptoms also resolved. The mother
discontinued chiropractic care after settlement. At last
interview, the patient’s
behavior symptoms gradually returned and the child was back
on Ritalin.
EEG and CEEG studies before and after upper cervical
or SOT category 11 adjustment in children after head trauma,
in epilepsy, and in “hyperactivity.” Hospers
LA, Proc of the Nat’l Conference on Chiropractic and
Pediatrics ( ICA) 1992;84-139.
Two children with petite mal
seizures with potential for generating into grand mal were
brought in for chiropractic care.
Chiropractic spinal analysis
revealed upper cervical subluxations and adjustments to this
area reduced negative EEG brainwave activity and reduced the
frequency of seizures over a four-month period.
In another case
of “hyperactivity” and attention
deficit disorder, upper cervical adjustment reduced non-coherence
between right and left hemispheres.
In another case CEEG demonstrated
restoration of normal incidence of the alpha frequency spectrum.
Increased attention span and improvement of social behavior
were reported in both cases.
In another case, a child rendered
hemiplegic after an auto accident displayed abnormal brainwave
readings. After adjustment, the CEEG demonstrated more normalized
brainwave readings. Child was able to utilize his left arm
and leg contralaterally to the injured side of the brain without
assistance after upper cervical adjustments.
Attention span
deficiency. Webster L. International Chiropractic Pediatric
Association Newsletter. May 1992.
This is the case of a six-year-old
girl with a chief complaint of attention span deficiency and
learning disability. She also suffered from lack of bladder
control, headaches, sinus infections, constant fever, severely
swollen neck lymph nodes and hyperactivity.
The birth history
included morphine to the mother at time of delivery and an
epidural, doctor assisted delivery (pulling on head).
The girl
had been on and off antibiotics since birth and had tubes in
her ears at 8 months of age which her body rejected.
After 3
months of chiropractic care her lymph nodes are normal, her
headaches and fevers are gone and she is no longer on medication.
Her teachers remark that she is concentrating better. Her grades
have vastly improved. She remains on maintenance care.
Case
study: the effect of utilizing spinal manipulation and craniosacral
therapy as the treatment approach for attention deficit-hyperactivity
disorder. Phillips CJ. Proceedings on the National Conference
on Chiropractic and Pediatrics (ICA), 1991:57-74. This is the
case of a 10-year-old boy with a three year history of hyperactivity,
ear infections, headache and allergic symptoms.
Chiropractic
spinal analysis revealed the child to have multiple cervical,
thoracic and pelvic dysfunctions and multiple cranial faults.
Chiropractic
and craniosacral therapy were administered and by the 11th
chiropractic adjustment hyperactivity symptoms had abated.
His other health problems had cleared up from earlier spinal
adjustments.
After 5 ½ months of being relatively symptom
free he had two falls and the hyperactivity, headache and allergy
symptoms returned. A single session of spinal and cranial
adjusting resolved this exacerbation.
An evaluation of chiropractic
manipulation as a treatment of hyperactivity in children. Giesen
JM, Center DB, Leach RA J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1989; 12:353-363.
This
was a blinded study in which a placebo was administered initially
and chiropractic care provided thereafter.
Five of the seven
hyperactive children showed improvement under chiropractic
care in comparison to placebo care.
The authors write: “The
results of this study are not conclusive, however they do suggest
that chiropractic manipulation has the potential to become
an important non-drug intervention for children with hyperactivity.”
The
effect of chiropractic treatment on students with learning
and behavioral impairments resulting from neurological dysfunction
(part 1). Brzozowske WT, Walton EV.J Aust Chiro Assoc 1980;11(7):13-18.
The
effect of chiropractic treatment on students with learning
and behavioral impairments resulting from neurological dysfunction
(part 2). Brzozowske WT, Walton EV. J. Aust Chiro Assoc 1980;11(8):11-17.
In
the above two studies a group of 12 ADHD students receiving
stimulant medication were compared to a group of 12 ADHD
students receiving chiropractic care.
It was found that hyperactivity
and attentiveness, along with gross and fine motor coordination
improved in the group receiving chiropractic care. In the medicated
group, hyperactivity and attentiveness improved initially (not
gross and fine motor coordination) but the medication effectiveness
decreased over time and the children required higher dosages.
Further,
over half the medical group had developed personality changes,
loss of appetite and insomnia relating to their treatment.
The
study concluded that chiropractic care was 20-40% more effective
than medication (and it had no side effects).
The effect of
chiropractic treatment on students with learning and behavioral
impairments resulting from neurological dysfunction. Brzozowske
WT, Walton EV.
The ACA Journal of Chiropractic/ December 1977
Vol. X1, S-127.
From the paper:
In 1972, the Texas State Chiropractic Association
contracted with Psychoeducational and Guidance Services, an
independent consulting firm specializing in diagnosis and remediation
of learning and behavioral problems of school-age children.
A completely independent study of the effect of chiropractic
treatment on children with learning and behavioral impairments
resulting from brain damage and/or neurological dysfunction
accompanied by impairing emotional overlay was conducted.
The
study was completed in May 1974 and findings relayed to the
Texas State Chiropractic Association (TSCA).
This paper (re-published
in the papers mentioned above) was an analysis of 13 children
in one study and 12 children (and 12 controls) in second studies
that suffered from neurological conditions and were placed
under chiropractic care. Detailed case studies of all the children
that were in the studies are included in this paper.
Copyright
2004 Koren Publications, Inc. & Tedd Koren,
D.C.