Chiropractic and ADHD
Chiropractors work primarily with the nervous system (your brain, and spinal cord, and nerves) and the bones that protect the nervous system (your skull, your spine, and skeleton). This is important because your nervous system is the master control system of the body. There is nothing that happens in the body without your brain and nerves.
We improve the communication between your brain and your body so that you body performs the way it should. Chiropractors do this be correcting misalignments in the spine. Misalignments between the bones or vertebrae in your spine interfere with the signals that travel between your body and your brain. When this happens your brain gets stressed out and can not process the interrupted signal correctly. When your brain gets stressed out and can’t function properly stress hormones like Cortisol are released into your blood and things in the body starts to not function properly. Chiropractic adjustments remove the stress and interference in the body so that your brain can function better! Studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments lower cortisol levels in the body. (Padayachy, 2010).
How does all this relate to ADHD? Well ADHD and the related disorders are neurological disorders meaning that something is causing the brain and nervous system to not function correctly. Dopamine is a hormone that is strongly related to concentration and is thought to be the hormone that is lacking in children with ADHD (although this is a theory that has never been proven). The medication frequently prescribed to children with ADHD including Ritalin and Adderall significantly stimulates the amount of Dopamine released to the brain – an effect not unlike cocaine.
So why is Dopamine levels lower in some people/kids? High levels of the stress hormone cortisol actually inhibit the production of dopamine. Children who have a stressed out nervous system due to misalignments in their spine may have lower levels of dopamine.
Chiropractic adjustments can and do improve the function of the brain and that can improve the behavioral symptoms of ADHD. Exercise & nutrition are also both very important factors in improving the symptoms of ADHD.
I would encourage all parents to try these types of interventions before considering medications. ADHD medications cross the brain-blood barrier and effect brain cells. Children who are on ADHD medications (Ritalin or Adderall) have a 7.4x higher risk of dieing suddenly. These drugs are classified as type 2 substances meaning they are highly addictive amphetamine drugs. They have a similar chemical structure to other amphetamine drugs like methamphetamine (commonly known as speed).
Be informed and know that facts about ADHD and the diagnosis process. For more information on ADHD and other mental disorders in children please visit the CCHR international webiste.
If you have any questions about this blog please give the clinic a call
-Dr. Jen