March Newsletter, ADD, ADHD

Pediatric research has shown that when children carry backpacks that arent excessivly heavy and are a proper fit, their posture does not become distorted in later life. Headaches were reduced and theres even speculation that altered nerve supply to the brain can cause ADD/ADHD.

ADD and ADHD are diagnosed as disorder, but it is in reality just a different working of the mind. Not everyone fits into a box. Years ago, before dyslexia was understood, it was hard for the children and families who were affected by it as it was an enigma. ADD/ADHD was similar, and now more and more people are understanding it. This in itself can be a problem. Over diagnosis is always possible. The criteria to diagnose ADD/ADHD is enigmatic and the drugs used to treat ADD/ADHD are potent and possibly dangerous. The drug ritalin is based on cocaine. Not many parents know this. The children so become less hyperactice but report they feel that they are "not themselves" and even the parents notice behavioural changes in their children. Chiropractic research is now showing that adjusting the spine can balance the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system. Here are some articles from the ICPA website.

The Myth of ADD
Thomas Armstrong, PhD
From the article: 
Over the past thirty years, attention deficit disorder (ADD), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), has emerged from the relative obscurity of cognitive psychologists’ research laboratories to become the "disease du jour" of America’s schoolchildren. Accompanying this popularity has been a virtually complete acceptance of the validity of this "disorder" by scientists, physicians, psychologists, educators, parents, and others. On closer critical scrutiny, however, there is much to be troubled about concerning ADD/ADHD as a real medical diagnosis. There is no definitive objective set of criteria to determine who has ADD/ADHD and who does not. Rather, there are a loose set of behaviors (hyperactivity, distractibility, and impulsivity) that combine in different ways to give rise to the "disorder." These behaviors are highly context-dependent. A child may be hyperactive while seated at a desk doing a boring worksheet, but not necessarily while singing in a school musical. These behaviors are also very general in nature and give no clue as to their real origins. A child can be hyperactive because he’s bored, depressed, anxious, allergic to milk, creative, a hands-on learner, or has a difficult temperament, is stressed out, is driven by a media-mad culture, or any number of other possible causes. The tests that have been used to determine if someone has ADD/ADHD are either artificially objective and remote from the lives of real children...
 
About the Author: 
Read more about Dr. Armstrong here: http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/bio.htm
View his many books and videos here: http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/books_videos.htm#The%20Myth%20of%20the%20A.D.D.%20Child
Contact Dr. Armstrong here: thomas@thomasarmstrong.com

ADHD Helped With Chiropractic, A Case Study
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15510091
• In the October 2004 issue of the peer-reviewed research publication, the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT), comes a case study of a child with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), who was helped with chiropractic.
• The case was of a 5 year old boy who had been diagnosed with ADHD at age 2. The child’s pediatrician prescribed methylphenidate (Ritalin), Adderall, and Haldol for the next 3 years. The combination of drugs was unsuccessful in helping the child.
• At age 5 the child was brought to a chiropractor to see if chiropractic care would help. The history taken at that time noted that during the child’s birth, there were complications during his delivery process. The results of this trauma and complications resulted in a 4-day stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. The child’s mother reported no other incidence of trauma.
• The chiropractic examination and x-rays showed noticeable spinal distortion including a reversal of the normal neck curve indicative of subluxations. Chiropractic care was begun and the child ’s progress was monitored.
• According to his mother, positive changes in her son`s general behavior were noticed around the twelfth visit. By the 27th visit the patient had experienced considerable improvement.
• The child was brought by the mother to the medical doctor for a follow up visit and questioned the usage of the Ritalin. The medical doctor reviewed and examined the child and based on that assessment and his clinical experience, the MD felt that the young boy was no longer exhibiting symptoms associated with ADHD. He then took the boy off the medications that he had been taking for 3 years.
• The conclusion of the author of the JMPT case study noted, “The patient experienced significant reduction in symptoms. Additionally, the medical doctor concluded that the reduction in symptoms was significant enough to discontinue the medication.”


From Mercola.com "Many of the standard drugs used to treat ADHD are not only potentially hazardous, but they are unnecessary if your child is treated appropriately. I've found many people with ADHD have improved greatly without drugs by taking these simple steps:
• Eliminate grains and sugars from your diet
• Replace soft drinks, fruit juices and pasteurized milk with clean water
• Increase your omega-3 fats by taking krill oil
The omega-3 fats in krill oil are bonded uniquely to protect them from oxidation so your body can absorb them more easily. This makes it an especially good source.
On Vital Votes, Joshua Rubin, a nutrition coach from Vista, California, notes:
"Tissue growth process depends on the construction of new biological membranes. Once in place, these membranes become a source of supply for fatty acids that regulate cell function. Thus the fatty acid composition of tissues laid down in childhood determines the status of your adult years.
"The growth and development of the CNS is dependent upon the presence of long chain highly unsat fatty acids DPA and DHA. It is important for mothers to ingest quality fats and organic foods while pregnant.
"As well, if a child is labeled with ADHD, eating quality oils and foods, as well as eliminating other foods and lifestyle habits can allow these children to live a functional life."