From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories:

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children 

This was a 10 year old female patient with a chief complaint of pain and parethesia (pins and needles) in her thoracic spine (mid back). Additionally, this child had ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). She was brought for chiropractic care to address her subjective signs (acting out, inability to follow instructions, and poor home and school performance). To be HIPAA compliant, I will call this patient Bella instead of her real name. 

Bella’s History

Bella’s thoracic (mid back) complaint had come on 1 year ago insidiously (gradually without trauma).  Adopted at 3 years old, she had been malnourished as a baby at the orphanage. Bella wasn’t growing or developing as normal children do.  She was smaller physically and was a few years behind in school. Her mother and brother were both treating patients of mine. Bella’s mother thought she would benefit from chiropractic adjustments as well. Her mom knew Chiropractic adjustments get the nervous system functioning at its optimum. Your nervous system controls all other body systems. Originating from your brain, it controls your movements, thoughts and automatic responses to situations around you. And it also controls other processes, such as digestion, breathing and sexual development (puberty). 

Bella’s psychologist said she was “borderline autistic”, but definitely had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).   Methylphenidate (Ritalin) was recommended. This drug is the primary medical approach to ADHD.  Unfortunately, common side effects are a decrease in appetite, increased pulse and blood pressure, nervousness, mood lability, growth retardation and sleep disturbance.  Bella’s parents were against Ritalin and opted for CAM (complementary alternative medicines), chiropractic and other therapies. Other therapies consisted of behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy (psychotherapy), and family counseling. 

Bellas Examination

Upon examination, Bella tested positive for her neuromusculoskeletal mid back pain condition.  Moreover, even though Bella felt parethesia (pins and needles) in her thoracic spine from time to time there were no findings in the exam.

Bella’s Treatment and Outcome

Originally, Bella’s mother was afraid Bella might become violent or aggressive in the office toward me.  She didn’t like doctors and showed aggression at times.  In contrast, Bella really enjoyed her chiropractic visits.  Bella was cooperative and well behaved in my office.

Firstly, Bella’s treatments included chiropractic adjustment/ manipulation to her thoracic spine and associated regions.  Associated regions were cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) spine. Moreover, because of the ADHD, cranial adjustments/manipulation was performed.  Secondly, soft tissue therapy (myofascial release, pressure point and various post isometric relaxation procedures) was rendered as necessary.   Thirdly, exercises for stretching, strengthening, and better posture were recommended.  Lastly, Bella had a homeopathic consultation to help reduce healing time, minimize her pain naturally, and promote wellness.

Bella’s mid back complaint improved with regular chiropractic visits within a few weeks. Similarly, after 1 year of treatment, subjective improvements were noted in episodes of acting out, ability to follow instructions, and general home and school performance.

A year later, I saw Bella skateboarding with her friends.  She told me that day, “I’m growing!” She had gone through a huge growth spurt.

(ADHD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:

 ADHD has various suspected causes. These include inheritability, family environment, culture, lead poisoning, fetal anoxia (loss of oxygen), maternal smoking or use of alcohol, and many others. Although there is little debate about the existence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there are grave concerns about the overlap between normal childhood activity (especially in boys) and the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.  The resulting misdiagnoses could lead to a subsequent inappropriate prescription of medication. In one report, the proportion of children taking medication for ADHD is as high as 10% in second through fifth grades and 20% in fifth graders.

Firstly, some symptoms of ADHD are a decrease in attention span, hyperactivity, and poor impulse control that spans across developmental norms and situations. Secondly, in those who do truly have ADHD there appears to be a processing and detection dysfunction in the brain. Thirdly, even blood flow defects and dopamine (neurotransmitter) imbalances have been found as a cause.  Lastly, ADHD is associated with comorbid (simultaneously present) conditions such as dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Thus, the diagnosis can overlap with findings in patients with other conditions. Therefore, it would seem important to aid in the parental need to obtain a valid diagnosis without reliance only on meeting symptom criteria. This would include an evaluation of diet, exercise, home environment, and the “child’s self-appreciation/ esteem”.

There is not enough research on chiropractic’s effectiveness on ADHD at this time.  However, there are many case studies reporting children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These show the effectiveness of chiropractic care.

Your West Palm Beach chiropractor can adjust your spine, putting everything back in place. Realigning your spine alleviates pressure off your nerves and helps your body function at its best!

Are you looking for the best chiropractor in North Palm Beach?

Dr. Natalie Meiri can definitely help you.  Find out more about Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children . Call 561-253-8984 today for an appointment.

References:

Thomas Bergman, David Peterson, Chiropractic Technique Principles and Procedures, 3rd edition, 2011

Back to Health with Correct Ergonomics and Chiropractic Care: Part 2 is about how to make changes in your daily life for better posture and health. So posture is the way that you hold your body at any given moment, whether sitting, standing, or being active. And ergonomics is a science dedicated to studying human posture that is most healthy for our bodies.

Many patients seek chiropractic care for pain relief. However, your chiropractor should also help you decide which aggravating activities are unnecessary and must be eliminated.  This is important for prevention of rein-jury and for further future trauma.

Get started with some facts in our latest post regarding forward head posture and “text neck”.

1. Forward Head Posture

Forward head posture (FHP) is a common condition where your head is positioned with your ears in front of your body’s vertical mid line. In normal or neutral head posture, your ears line up with your shoulders, mid line, hips, knees and ankles. Forward head posture can cause neck pain, stiffness, an unbalanced gait, and other side effects.

Forward head posture (FHP) occurs when a person is leaning their head forward. This causes an out of neutral alignment with their spine. Your head weighs about 10–14 pounds (lb) in a neutral spine position but increases in weight as it leans forward. 

For example, a common cause of forward head posture is due to reading. Students, or other readers, ordinarily place a book on a flat surface, bending the head and neck forward to read. This requires that the posterior (rear) neck muscles maintain sustained contraction in order to bear the heavy weight of the head against gravity.

Neck strain can be avoided by placing the book at eye level.  For instance on a book rack. Thus tilted at a convenient angle, the book can be read easily when the head is held erect and balanced.  This avoids neck strain/injury from this repetitive forward head posture.  Similarly, this also applies to the computer monitor.  It should be brought up to eye level.   

2. “Text Neck”

This is a term developed which describes the posture formed by leaning forward for prolonged periods.  Text Neck is acquired while viewing a cell phone, reading and texting.  This causes stress injuries. Moreover, this incorrect posture often results in cervical and shoulder pain, headaches and thoracic hyperkyphosis.  Similarly, holding your head in one position (toward your shoulder) with your cellphone/smartphone held by your shoulder and head so you are hands free can cause neck pain and injury.

A solution is a headset. This is beneficial to anyone who spends a significant amount of time talking or listening on the telephone. Preferably, to avoid twisting stresses when looking toward an object or toward another person, one should turn the entire body and not just the head.  For instance, when a person types from copy, it is important to place the copy at eye level and as near as possible to the center of the line of vision.

3. Your chiropractor is your partner in your healthcare.

   At Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach, we’ll work with you to get the relief and health you need through chiropractic care. Together, we can be on the lookout for life and work situations where you experience pain in relation with poor posture. Pain is our body’s way of warning us of problems, so don’t ignore it. Shape up your life! Check your posture today.📞Contact Meiri Chiropractic today at 561-253-8984 to make an appointment or to learn more about Back to Health with Correct Ergonomics and Chiropractic Care: Part 2.

2. Slow your working pace to a speed no faster than your body will tolerate.

Don’t fatigue your body. Learn to pay attention to the warning signs of pain and discomfort. Some people characteristically make rapid, jerky, movements. These poorly coordinated movements are likely to initiate unnecessary stress. Similarly, these movements may simply make you trip and fall. Slower, smoother, better coordinated movements can be learned (using appropriate exercises and equipment). Moreover, these should become habitual.

3. Cultivate a rhythm of movement.

So for example, when gardening or washing your car, do it as if you were dancing. Try listening to music. This discourages prolonged fixed positions. Furthermore, pauses encourage new blood and “fresh fuel” to go to different working areas of your body.

4. Frequently take short rests.

After every hour or less of a task or activity, rest. Try to lie down for a couple of minutes, if only on the floor or reclining chair. Your neck and back will relax fully in this supported horizontal position.

5. Don’t sit too long in one position.

When watching TV, at a movie, or in the theater, move around in your seat. At intervals, turn your head from side-to-side and rotate your shoulder blades. When you drive far, pull off the road every hour and walk around your car two or three times. That doesn’t take long! Periodic movement is needed in order for ligaments, cartilage, intervertebral discs, and muscles to be nourished. Neuromusculoskeletal structures respond poorly to being in one position for a prolonged period.

6. Your chiropractor is your partner in your healthcare. At Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach, we’ll work with you to get the relief and health you need through chiropractic care. Together, we can be on the lookout for life and work situations where you experience pain in relation with poor posture. Pain is our body’s way of warning us of problems, so don’t ignore it. Shape up your life! Check your posture today.📞Contact Meiri Chiropractic today at 561-253-8984 to make an appointment or to learn more about Back to Health with Correct Ergonomics and Chiropractic Care: Part 1.