QC Family Focus: October 2014

Natural Approach to Dealing with ADHD
Dr. Traci Nelson Hassel
Nelson Chiropractic
Holistic health care providers,
like Chiropractors, look at a patient’s
health situation in its entirety and
how one condition might affect
another. Chiropractors focus on how
the function of the nerves can be
improved to allow the body to work
the way it was intended. Attention
Deficit Disorder is a great example of
a condition that has different systems
in the body that can complicate the
symptoms. New estimates show
that about 11% of children ages
6-17 have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit disorder,
which equals around 6.4 million children. Approximately
two-thirds of them take prescription stimulants like Ritalin
or Adderall. The use of these Class II controlled substances
to alter the behavior of children is disconcerting to many
parents and chiropractors.
Chiropractors offer a non-drug and non-invasive
treatment alternative for ADHD patients that effects the
underlying problems, not just symptoms. “Motor activity—
especially development of the postural muscles—is the
baseline function of brain activity. Anything affecting postural
muscles will influence brain development. Musculoskeletal
imbalance will create imbalance of brain activity, and one part
of the brain will develop
faster than the other, and
that’s what’s happening in
ADHD patients,” says Dr.
Melillo, one doctor who
is extensively studying
chiropractic care and
ADHD.
Chiropractic can also
help ADHD children with
the sensory integration
aspect of attention
problems. Children with
ADHD are often irritated
by the tags on their clothes.
They may not like the
texture and coarseness of
certain foods. Chiropractic
adjustments together with
tactile programs, such
as exercises, help reduce
their sensitivity. Reducing
sensitivity means better
attention spans, as children
will not be distracted by the
factors that used to irritate
them
Ẇhile chiropractors
do not “treat” ADD/
ADHD, the effects of
chiropractic care on
children diagnosed with
38 October 2014 - QC Family Focus
learning disorders and hyperactivity have been described
in a growing body of publications. These studies show
dramatic changes that have been reported in children
ADD/ADHD following chiropractic care. Every child
with a vertebral misalignment that reduces nerve
function, called a subluxation, needs chiropractic care,
whether or not symptoms are present. By correcting
nerve interference, function is improved, with greater
expression of human potential. Very simply, chiropractic
helps nerves work better to improve health.
Some other lifestyle changes can be made to help
improve the child’s overall health and correct chemical
imbalances that cause ADHD. We would encourage
these parents to:
• Remove as many food dyes, sugar, preservatives, and
additives from the diet as possible.
• Focus on natural, mostly organic foods with as few
pesticides or herbicides as possible.
• Determine if there is an allergy—usually starting with
dairy and gluten and try elimination diets.
• Stop using pesticide sprays in the house.
• Insure your child is getting quality sleep regularly.
According to the Center for Disease Control when
compared to children with excellent or very good health
status, children with a fair or poor health status were
four times as likely to have ADHD. Chiropractic is
another way to help insure that your child’s little body is
functioning at its highest potential for excellent health.