Attention Deficit Disorders and hyperactivity

Add linked to maternal smoking (From DC On Line by Brian Sutton. Dynamic Chiropractic Jan. 1, 1996 p.31)
A study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston suggests that mothers who smoke during their pregnancy will triple the risk of their children developing attention deficit disorder. The problems appear to develop in utero. A group in Chicago (the University of Chicago study of 177 children) found that children with "conduct disorders," associated with increased delinquency and runaway behavior, were more likely to have been exposed to smoke while in the womb (Presented at the annual academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in New Orleans, October 20, 1995). Neither project examined the effects of secondhand smoke on such disorders.

First report on ADD study. Webster L. International Chiropractic Pediatric Association Newsletter. Jan. 1994.
Two cases from the ADD study are mentioned.
Case #1: Ten-year old girl on 60mb. Ritalin/day, severe scoliosis of 48 degrees Cobb angle. First seen 11/15/93. After ten adjustments mother reported a happier child, immune system doing much better and endurance much higher. Re-exam revealed scoliosis reduced to12 degrees. By 1/10/94 off medication.
Case #2: 13-year old boy diagnosed as ADD, asthma and seizures. First entered clinic 12/9/93 and after 8 adjustments, parent has withdrawn all medication with the cooperation of their doctor. Positive personality change has been noted.
Case Studies. Male- age 7 years. Webster, L. Chiropractic Showcase Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 5, Summer 1994.

The child was placed under care on February 14, 1994 with the following clinical picture: Hyperactivity, stuttering, slow learner, retarded growth, left leg approximately 1" shorter than right with a limp while walking. Medical plans were to break the left leg, insert metal rods in an attempt to stimulate growth and equalize leg lengths.

Our examination consisted of Metrecom evaluation, full spine X-rays, and chiropractic examination of the spine. Areas of subluxation were as follows: Sacrum anterior, inferior on left, 5th lumbar body left, atlas, anterior superior left.
Patient was placed on an intensive correction program of 3 times weekly for a period of two months.
During the first seven visits the legs were never balanced, however, each time a reduction of the short leg occurred. On the 8th visit the legs balanced for the first time. Also noticed by 8th visit:

1. The stuttering had stopped.
2. The grades in school had risen from non-satisfactory to satisfactory.
3. The hyperactivity had abated.
4. The limp was no longer constant.

Case study: the effect of utilizing spinal manipulation and craniosacral therapy as the treatment approach for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Phillips CJ. Proceedings on the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics (ICA), 1991:57-74.
A 10-yearr old boy with a three year history of hyperactivity, also suffering from ear infections, headache and allergic symptoms. Chiropractic analysis revealed multiple cervical, thoracic and pelvic dysfunctions. The boy also had multiple cranial faults. By the 11th chiropractic adjustment hyperactivity symptoms had abated (his other health problems had cleared up from earlier spinal adjustments). After 5 ½ months relatively symptom free he had two falls and hyperactivity, headache and allergy symptoms returned. A single session of spinal and cranial adjusting revolved this exacerbation. A strong link between spinal "dysfunctions" and hyperactivity is suggested.

A multi-faceted chiropractic approach to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a case report. Barnes, T.A. ICA International Review of Chiropractic. Jan/Feb 1995 pp.41-43.
From the author's abstract: An 11-year old boy with medically diagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has been a patient and student at the Kentuckiana Children's Center for three years…His case shows a history of early disruptive experience, repeated ear infections, consistent temporomandibular joint dysfunction, heavy metal intoxication, food allergy, environmental sensitivity and multiple levels of biomechanical alteration. This report emphasizes the need for care in all aspects of the structural, chemical and mental triangle of health in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
"He has improved academically and has advanced to the next grade level…he recognizes that he has control over his behavior and there is hope that he will be mainstreamed back into a regular public school setting soon…his mother says she notices improvement in his attention span and temper."

Effects of biomechanical insult correction on attention deficit disorder. Arme J. J of Chiropractic Case Reports, Vol. 1 No. 1 Jan. 1993.
Seven-year old male was referred by his mother because of radical behavioral changes (uncharacteristic memory loss, inability to concentrate and general agitation) following a motor vehicle accident (other symptoms included loss of appetite, headache, difficult in chewing, ear pain, hearing loss, difficulty in breathing through the nose, neck pain, and bilateral leg pain). An M.D. diagnosed "attention deficit disorder" and Ritalin was diagnosed with partial improvement. After four months the mother sought chiropractic care. Spinal analysis revealed anterolisthesis of C2 on C3, reversal of cervical lordosis from C1-C4. Correction was accomplished using the Thompson technique with the terminal point table, three times a week for 16 weeks and twice per week for one week…12 week follow up revealed restoration of cervical curve, with residual C2 anterolisthesis. At 17 weeks Ritalin was stopped by M.D., the patient's medically diagnosed attention deficit syndrome seems to have been solved as were the other symptoms. The mother discontinued chiropractic care after settlement and the patient's behavior symptoms gradually returned and is back on Ritalin.

EEG and CEEG studies before and after upper cervical or SOT category 11 adjustment in children after head trauma, in epilepsy, and in "hyperactivity." Hospers LA, Proceedings of the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics (ICA) 1992;84-139.
Five cases were presented. Conventional EEG studies demonstrate responses of two children with petite mal (absent seizure) with potential for generating into grand mal. Upper cervical adjustment reduced negative brainwave activity and reduced the frequency of seizures over a four month period. In two cases of "hyperactivity" and attention deficit disorder, upper cervical adjustment reduced non-coherence between right and left hemispheres in one child and in another, CEEG demonstrated restoration of normal incidence of the alpha frequency spectrum. Increased attention span and improvement of social behavior were reported in both cases. A child rendered hemiplegic after an auto accident displayed abnormal brainwave readings. Child was able to utilize his left arm and leg contralaterlly to the injured side of the train without assistance after upper cervical adjustments.

An evaluation of chiropractic manipulation as a treatment of hyperactivity in children. Giesen JM, Center DB, Leach RA. JMPT 1989; 12:354-363.
Blinded study. Seven hyperactive children appeared to benefit from chiropractic adjustments. "The results of this study are not conclusive, however they do suggest that chiropractic manipulation has the potential to become an important non-drug intervention for children with hyperactivity."