When most of us think of the typical patient at a chiropractic clinic, we usually picture older people with joint issues, people struggling to recover after an injury, or athletes working to stay in peak physical condition. However, the fact that the pediatric chiropractic care field is growing offers us a hint of how this practice is for more than just the traditional patients. New research suggests that this area of medicine could potentially prove beneficial to children suffering from ADHD and autism. For parents that have struggled to find their children the help they need, this treatment could provide welcomed and positive results.
How Can Pediatric Chiropractic Care Help Autism?
Autism affects the central nervous system, bringing about many of the challenges that children with this disorder face on a normal basis, such as hyperactivity, sleep challenges, attention issues, sensory-processing issues, social issues, and more. These issues essentially put the nervous system into a chronic or permanent state of stress. Although this "fight or flight" response is vital for short-term reactions, it proves detrimental to the body when it is "turned on" for long periods of time. When the body is constantly in this heightened state, it is difficult for it to grow or develop. The professionals at your local chiropractic clinic should be able to address these issues by adjusting the neuro-spinal system to its proper balance and alignment. They are able to treat subluxation, or blockage, especially in the area of the upper neck and brain stem, where it locks the nervous system into stress mode. This treatment may have to be
repeated, and does not offer a complete fix for all of the problems associated with autism. Still, for many families, this treatment results in a significant improvement in their children's behavior.
How Can Pediatric Chiropractic Care Help With ADHD?
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a well-known disorder. In fact, prescriptions for Ritalin, the drug used to treat it, have increased five-fold in recent years. Parents uninterested in prescribing Ritalin for their children have sought out alternative treatments. As a result, doctors around the nation have found non-invasive treatment
methods that do not require drugs. These doctors are trained to identify the under-functioning parts of the brain in a child with ADHD and then to develop a specific treatment plan. This procedure begins with a brain-function exam - including visual- and auditory-reflex tests - that these doctors are specially trained to administer. Although there is no official data on how this treatment affects the child's progress, doctors report that there is a two-grade-level increase on average, suggesting that academic erformance can be enhanced using this method.
If you're trying to find help for your child's ADHD or autism, be sure to consult the experts at your local chiropractic
clinic.