Some people are surprised that we adjust kids. They think that chiropractic is for middle aged folks with back pain. The thing is, chiropractic is good for those folks. Great, in fact. But, honestly, it may even be better for kids. You see, by the time a chiropractor gets their hands on a 45 year old person, they may have years (yes, years) of damage under their belt, even if the pain is only recent. It is simply much harder to help something heal after being that way for such a long time. It can usually be done, but it’s harder and often leaves behind some problems that may linger on no matter what. The belief that chiropractic is mostly for adults is really rooted in the idea that chiropractic is for back pain only. This is a real misunderstanding. Chiropractic’s purpose is to remove subluxations from the spine so that the nerve system can do its job of keeping all of your systems and functions working properly. Subluxations can happen and may or may not have accompanied symptoms. When they do cause symptoms, it’s important to remember that those symptoms do not have to conform to the traditional ideas of pain. They could manifest has headaches, allergies, or digestive problems for example.
In kids, this is still true. Kids with subluxations that lead to symptoms often demonstrate issues such as: colic, ear infections, bathroom issues, or even ADD/ADHD. The last one surprises people. It is certainly something that warrants more research, but there are many case studies in which chiropractic care has been connected to improved/reduced symptoms in kids dealing with ADD/ADHD.
According to the CDC, 11% kids aged 4-17 have received this diagnosis. That number is increasing every year. The problem lies in the treatment. Meds are typically required, but can carry some unappealing side effects. Per childmind.org, these side effects should be noted:
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Sleep problems
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Decreased appetite
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Delayed growth
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Headaches and stomachaches
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Rebound (irritability when the medication wears off)
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Tics
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Moodiness and irritability
The problem is, as a parent, if your child receives this diagnosis, you don’t know where to turn. It can be scary, frustrating, and confusing. Everyone wants what is best for their kids. If your kid is dealing with ADD/ADHD like symptoms or an official diagnosis, I would encourage you to consider chiropractic. There are a couple reasons chiropractic could help:
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Per the Journal of Subluxation Research in 2006: A possible conclusion that can be drawn in this case is that adjusting spinal lesions (e.g., subluxations) appeared to reduce the child’s pain and discomfort, which allowed him the ability to concentrate, learn and “sit still.” Further studies with controls need to be conducted in this area to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic care in aiding the symptoms of children who are classified as ADHD.
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When a person is subluxated, the brain’s ability to communicate via the nerves to all of the organs and tissues of the body is diminished. This nerve dysfunction could potentially lead to a variety of issues, including behavioral troubles. Essentially, the system’s nerves misfire.
The case studies point to chiropractic being a helpful addition, but all case results will vary. It is important to remember that chiropractic is not a treatment for ADD/ADHD. In fact it’s not a treatment for any symptom. It is a treatment for subluxations of the spine. When the subluxations are removed, the body begins to function normally and thus a variety of symptoms resolve via the body taking care of itself. When a body can do its job correctly, that child will have their very best chance to be happy and healthy.