In the U.S., approximately 11% of children aged four to 17 have AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the number of diagnoses has continually increased over the years. ADHD is characterized by difficulty concentrating, organizing thoughts and things, and memorizing new information. Many parents find that chiropractic care can be very helpful in relieving the symptoms of ADHD.
Help for Children with ADHD
There are many ways that schools and parents can help children with ADHD; one is through organization. It is vital that children be able to learn and live in environments that do not exacerbate their symptoms. Thus, parents often design a home for children with ADHD in a minimalistic fashion, to avoid the distraction and frustration that can arise when clutter and too many furniture items are present. Organization is another key pillar when it comes to ADHD; because kids tend to find boring or repetitive tasks such as cleaning and tidying up difficult, by keeping everything well filed and organized, children can achieve a calmer state. Parents also report that yoga, which promotes mindfulness, confidence and a good mood, can help kids slow down and deal with stress and nerves. Another key step taken by many parents is to take their children to a chiropractor.
Research on the Benefits ofChiropractic Care for Children with ADHD
Research published in the journal Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, indicates that chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy can benefit children with ADHD, with improvements noted in symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness, as well as behavioral, social or emotional difficulties (which can also manifest themselves when in children and adults with ADHD). Another study found that after two months chiropractic treatment, a group of adult patients showed a significant improvement in attention. The researchers stated that spinal manipulation may positively affect the brain by creating plastic changes in the prefrontal cortex and other cortical and subcortical areas serving as neural substrate for the cognitive process of attention. Additional research theorizes that by adjusting subluxations, a child’s pain and discomfort is reduced, thus enhancing his/her ability to concentrate, learn and ‘sit still’.
Treatments for ADHD often comprises of a combination of approaches, including behavioral therapy. However, many parents are reporting the reduction of symptoms from chiropractic care. By enabling a child to be more comfortable within their own body, and by improving nerve communications between the brain and the rest of the body, a child’s comfort grows exponentially. Therefore they are able to concentrate and learn more effectively.
If you would like to discuss chiropractic care for your kid who may be suffering with ADHD, please get in touch and book your free consultation .
