Behavioral and Learning Disorders
(see
also Attention Deficit Disorder – ADD,
Brain Function)
Using a computerized continuous performance test to assess
the effects of chiropractic adjustment on attention span'.
A pilot study Goff G, Sheader W, Sheader DF, Thornton M Chiropr
J Aust 2000; 30: 48-54.
This was a computerized continuous performance
test to see if chiropractic affected attention span. Forty-one
patients of the Palmer Chiropractic Clinic, aged 22-47 (mean
age = 32), participated in the study.
Attention span was assessed with the Conners' Continuous
Performance Test Computer Program version 3.0 (1995) before
and after chiropractic adjustment. This test is commonly
used to assess attention span.
The results: Individuals showed
improved attention span of clinically significant levels
after chiropractic care.
A pilot study of applied kinesiology
in helping children with learning disabilities. Mathews MO,
Thomas E, British Osteopathic Journal Vol. X11 1993.
In this
study, Osteopaths used applied kinesiology and Neural Organization
Technique (NOT) developed by Carl Ferrari, D.C. After care
IQ scores improved and learning disabilities lessened.
Post-traumatic
evaluation and treatment of the pediatric patient with head
injury: a case report. Araghi HJ. Proc of the Nat’l Conference
on Chiropractic and Pediatrics, 1992:1-8.
This is the study
of a two-year-old boy suffering from vomiting and loss of energy
after being hit on the head. CT Scan and neurological exam
revealed a concussion with no evidence of brain or spinal cord
pathology.
Chiropractic adjustment of occiput resolved the patient’s
symptoms.
Learning difficulties of children
viewed in the light of osteopathic concept. Frymann V (1988).
In: Retalaff EW, Mitchell Fl Jr. (Eds). The cranium and its
sutures, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, NY, pp.27-47.
The success
of osteopathic care on learning disorders is discussed (a good
review book).
Blocked atlantal nerve syndrome in infants and
small children. Gutman G. ICA Review, 1990; July:37-42. Originally
published in German Manuelle Medizin (1987) 25:5-10.
In this
paper the author discusses three cases “to
illustrate a syndrome that has so far received far too little
attention, which is caused and perpetuated in babies and
infants by blocked nerve impulses at the atlas.”
Chiropractors
refer to this condition as an atlas or C1 subluxation.
Blocked
nerve impulses at the atlas are associated with lowered resistance
to infections, (especially to ear-, nose-, and throat infections),
insomnia, cranial bone asymmetry, torticollis (wry neck), retarded
locomotor development, retarded speech development, conjunctivitis,
tonsillitis, rhinitis, earache, extreme neck sensitivity, incipient
scoliosis, delayed hip development, and seizures.
The author
writes “If the indications are correct,
Chiropractic can bring about amazing results because the
therapy is a causal one.”
The effects of chiropractic
treatment on students with learning and behavioral impairments
due to neurological dysfunction. Walton EV. Int Rev of Chiro
1975;29(6): 4-5,24-26.
Twelve impaired students received chiropractic
care and twelve impaired students were used for comparison
(controls) . The case histories include:
Case C 91: male high
school student, failing three subjects, with a history of failure,
low morale, discipline problems, poor coordination, and a long
history of clinical and medical treatment. After chiropractic
care the student was passing all subjects, highly motivated,
showing improved coordination and able to participate in athletics.
All medications were dropped.
Case C 92: female high school
student on 20mg. Ritalin and on Dilantin. She was non-motivated,
negative, passive, nonverbal, and failing in high school work
despite placement in special classes. After chiropractic adjustments
the student was taken off Ritalin, began talking and expressing
herself, showed improved reading comprehension and reading
speed.
Case CE 92: 8 year old boy. Elementary student, extremely
hyperkinetic and irritable, with severe behavior problems
at home and school. Grades marginal to failing. Ritalin ™ was
increased from an initial 5mg. to a total of 70mg./day with
steadily diminishing results. (70mg. approaches danger level
as a dosage). Under chiropractic care, the Ritalin ™ (was)
discontinued and coordination improved so much that he became
an able Little League ball player. His attitude was excellent,
grades were up an average of one letter grade, and the student
was considered free of all limiting factors. Behavior at
home and school was exemplary.
Case CE 101: male elementary
student, marginally passing his courses with a four-year
history of marginal accomplishment in school. He was nervous,
underweight and suffered from insomnia. Medication was briefly
tried but the student’s
emotional control became poor and he frequently wept. The
medication was discontinued. After chiropractic care there
was a marked reduction in nervousness and great improvement
in emotional stability. His mother reported that his appetite
was now normal and he began enjoying school during the last
month.
Case C 93: female high school student on heavy dosages
of medication. Non-motivated with a long history of clinical
evaluation and treatment. The girl was failing most school
subjects, marginal in others, and withdrawn. After chiropractic
adjustments, her self-confidence improved; she was passing
all subjects. All medication was discontinued after four
months of treatment. A vocational goal was established.
Case
CJ 95: male junior high school student. He was hyperkinetic
almost from birth and had a traumatic early developmental
history with suspected neurological problems. Although of
above average intelligence. He was passing only two subjects
both marginally. He was starting to become a discipline problem,
making little or no effort in school. After chiropractic
care, fine and gross motor coordination improved markedly.
He began taking an interest in athletics and played Little
League on a team that placed third in the state. Earlier
plans to send him back to a lower grade were dropped and
he was promoted. After a late summer remedial program, his
academic progress was excellent
Case CE 102: an elementary student
who had been diagnosed by numerous clinics as minimally brain
damaged, retarded and/or suffering from neurological dysfunction.
He also suffered from severe emotional problems. After chiropractic,
he showed great improvement in self-confidence. He began to
take part in public speaking in school. Mental ability tests
indicated that the student was at normal grade level except
for deficiencies in reading.
Relations of disturbances of cranio-sacral
mechanisms to symptomatology of the newborn. Fryman V. Journal
Of The American Osteopathic Association. 1966;65:1059.
Out of
1250 babies examined five days post partum, a group of 211 ‘nervous’ children
were found suffering from vomiting, hyperactivity, tremors
and sleeplessness.
Release of ‘strain’ in the skull
resulted in immediate quieting, cessation of crying, muscular
relaxation and sleepiness.
Posture and mental health. Quigley
WH. ACA Journal March 1964.
Discusses the relationship between
mental health and posture. Dr. Quigley was the director of
one of chiropractic’s
most famous institutions: Clear View Sanitarium which specialized
in “nervous and emotional disorders.”
An analysis
of 350 emotionally maladjusted individuals under chiropractic
care. Hartmann GW, Schwartz HS. NCA Journal of Chiropractic,
Nov. 1949.
Classic review of 350 individuals helped under chiropractic
care. Dr. Herman Schwartz was one of the leaders in chiropractic
care for emotionally ill people and was the editor of the
book Mental Health and Chiropractic.
Osteopathic concepts in
psychiatry. Dunn FE Journal Of The American Osteopathic Association,
March 1950.
A table describing the lesion (subluxation) frequency
in schizophrenia is included. Patient management is discussed.
Excellent research and review material.
Osteopathic management
of psychosomatic problems. Dunn, FE. Journal Of The American
Osteopathic Association, Vol. 48 No. 4 Neuropsychiatric Supplement
Vol. 2 No. 1 Dec. 1948.
Relationship between structure and mental
states and patient management is discussed. Good review material.
Copyright
2004 Koren Publications, Inc. & Tedd Koren,
D.C.