Pamela A. Stone-McCoy B.S., D.C., FICPA1 & Lisa Przybysz B.S., D.C.2
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the chiropractic care of a child with ADHD and review the related literature.
Clinical Features: A 3 ½ year old male child diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and a history of birth trauma and ear infections presents with signs of vertebral subluxation.
Interventions and Outcomes: Vertebral subluxations were addressed using toggle recoil adjustments to reduce an Atlas subluxation. Dietary advice, supplements and proprioceptive exercises were given to the patient as part of the care plan. Patient’s mother and teachers reported a decrease in hyperactivity and an increase in attention. Paraspinal thermal scans improved after one month of care.
Conclusion: While research on chiropractic care for children with ADHD is limited, some studies have shown improvement in these children while under such care. This is an important area in need of further study and should include the investigation of a combination of chiropractic, nutrition, exercise, and other CAM treatments.
Key Words: Chiropractic, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, compulsive disorders, chiropractic, adjustment, subluxation, thermography, children, CAM, birth trauma
Introduction
Experts now consider Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to be the most commonly encountered neurobehavioral disorder of childhood. Among the most prevalent chronic health conditions developing in childhood, ADHD may persist over the entire life span.1,2
Diagnostic methods have been especially controversial in recent years as the perceived prevalence of the disease varies as the diagnostic criteria changes over time. Some studies show a 4%-12% prevalence rate among school-aged children with males being three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than females.1
The health care system and parents have made a significant push for pediatric care providers to not only properly diagnosis ADHD but to manage it as well. Much of this push is due to the drastic increase in prescriptions for stimulant medications being given to school-aged children with an ADHD diagnosis over the past decade. The fear of overdiagnosing and over-prescribing these powerful medications has been a significant part of the reassessment of how the syndrome is diagnosed.1,2
References
- Private Practice - Kennesaw, GA
- Private Practice – Fairfax, VA
Matthew McCoy DC, MPH: http://www.chiropracticpediatricresearch.net
