Throughout the month of March, we’re spotlighting the effects of chiropractic on symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. While chiropractors do not “treat” ADD/ADHD, the effects of chiropractic care on children diagnosed with these learning disorders and hyperactivity have been a subject of scientific research and scholarly publications for many years.

There is a lot of information on ADD/ADHD and chiropractic’s ability to help reduce the symptoms, but we’ll give you the highlights below. For more detailed information, call Contreras Chiropractic at (925) 606-5490.

Defining the “Disorder”

“Researchers made a giant leap in logic: Because brain injury can lead to hyperactivity, they believed that all hyperactivity was caused by brain injury.”

Attention Deficit Disorder is often broken into two categories – ADD without Hyperactivity, and with Hyperactivity (often referred to as ADHD). ADD alone is characterized by low brain energy, daydreaming, avoidance and procrastination. ADHD is correlated with impulsivity, hyperactivity, and/or inattention. There are a number of positive attributes associated with both disorders, including creativity and enthusiasm. The criteria for diagnosing these “disorders” are highly subjective, as there is no test, result, or specific set of symptoms that result in the diagnosis. Food and/or environmental allergies tend to be present in patients with ADD and ADHD.

A (very) Brief History

In the early 1900′s, scientists began to study hyperactive children. It became clear that brain injuries caused hyperactivity in some patients; however researchers assumed that all hyperactivity was caused by brain damage. There are a growing number of ADD experts who have begun to view ADD not as a disorder, but as a natural condition in which the patient is left at a disadvantage in common modern settings.

“At first psychiatrists called hyperactivity a brain disease. When no brain disease could be found, they changed it to ‘minimal brain disease’ (MBD). When no minimal brain disease could be found the profession transformed the concept into ‘minimal brain dysfunction.’ When no minimal brain dysfunction could be demonstrated, the label became attention deficit disorder. Now it’s just assumed to be a real disease, regardless of the failure to prove it so. Biochemical imbalance is the code word, but there’s no more evidence for that than there is for actual brain disease.” Psychiatrist Peter Breggin

Today, as high as 9.5% of school-aged children are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. The number of children diagnosed with these disorders has risen 66% in the last year alone.

Common Treatments for the “Disorder”

The most common treatments for ADD and ADHD are the prescription drugs Adderall and Ritalin. In the last nine years, the production of Adderall and Dexedrine (also used to treat ADHD), has risen 2,000%!

Mild side effects of these psycotropic drugs can include headaches, increased anxiety, loss of appetite and weight loss, vision problems, dizziness, restlessness, and abdominal pain and discomfort. Insomnia and nervousness are very common and highly reported.

Serious side effects range from personality altering to life threatening. Development of anorexia, Tourette’s syndrome, and depression have been linked to the use of Adderall and Ritalin. Users are also subject to extreme nervousness and paranoid delusions, mood swings that may include hostility and severe aggression, and toxic psychosis. The medication can also result in a dangerous increase in blood pressure, an irregular heart beat, seizures, or loss of consciousness.

Alternative Treatments and a New Hope

Many pediatricians and psychiatrists now suggest an Elimination Diet can significantly reduce the symptoms of ADHD. In a study published in 2011 Lancet Journal, a diet free of processed foods significantly reduced the symptoms of ADHD in 78% of 4-8 year old children [src].

Recently, chiropractic has been gaining a lot of attention as an alternative treatment for ADD/ADHD. Several studies have shown that ADD/ADHD children who undergo regular chiropractic adjustments experience a significant reduction in symptoms, often significant enough to discontinue medication [src]. How? Keep an eye out for next week’s blog where we’ll go into more detail on HOW and WHY chiropractic has been shown to reduce ADD/ADHD symptoms.

There is no guarantee that chiropractic can reduce your’s or your child’s ADD/ADHD symptoms. Consultations are always free at Contreras Chiropractic! For more information, call (925) 606-5490 or attend our free Hope, Naturally event on March 19, 2013 at 6:30.