Chiropractors correct abnormalities
of the intellect as well as those of the body. "
–D.D Palmer, Discoverer of Chiropractic
Doctors of
chiropractic have long noticed chiropractic’s beneficial effects on those with
neurological and emotional problems, especially children.
A Modern Epidemic
Learning
disorders are just one of many neurological problems that affect children
today. They include hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and minimal brain damage among others.
The number of children diagnosed with these conditions is growing at a
staggering rate, as medical historian Harris Coulter, Ph.D. has noted:
The American Psychiatric Association
(Third Edition, revised 1987) publishes a guide to mental illnesses in this
country, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which devotes seventy pages to
“Disorders Usually First Evident in Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence.” The
second edition in 1968 dealt with these disorders in only 3-1/2 pages. The
first edition, 1952, did not mention them at all.
These disorders have received the
appellation “developmental disabilities”. Probably the leading one is
“dyslexia,” also called “minimal brain damage.” Another prominent one is
“autism”. But there are many others. Probably twenty percent of American
children—one youngster in five—suffers from a “developmental disability”. This
is a stupefying figure…
Ritalin
The standard
medical treatment for hyperactivity in children is amphetamine medications such
as Ritalin, Dexedrine and Cylert. Ritalin is classified as a schedule II
substance by the FDA along with cocaine, morphine, opium and methadone. Ritalin
can have severe side effects, including arrested growth, increased heart rate,
insomnia, loss of appetite, social withdrawal, irritability, moodiness and
involuntary movements or sounds. In 1988, a half-million children were
prescribed stimulant drugs for ADD and ADHD. By 1997 the number was two million
and it is expected to reach eight million b 2000. Interestingly, M.D.s in the
U.S. prescribe five times the quantity of stimulants for children as M.D.s in
other countries. Many parents are concerned about drugging their children for years
and possible drug abuse and dependency. “Is there another way,” they ask?
The Cause of Learning Disorders?
Dr. Coulter
and a growing number of professionals feel that many of the neurologically
damaged are victims of childhood vaccinations:
A large proportion of the millions of
U.S. children and adults suffering from autism, seizures, mental retardation,
hyperactivity, dyslexia, and other shoots and branches of the hydra-headed
entity called “developmental disabilities,” owe their disorders to one or
another of the vaccines against childhood diseases.
Other causes of neurologic damage may
be trauma to the head, severe burn, infectious diseases, accidents and falls.
What Can Chiropractic Do?
Chiropractors
are trained to locate and correct vertebral subluxations—tiny distortions of
spinal bones or vertebrae—that can irritate or stress the spine, discs,
muscles, ligaments and nervous system.
Although not
a treatment for neurological disorders, chiropractic care has given many
children suffering from neurological disorders new hope. Chiropractors, parents
and school officials have reported on the effectiveness of chiropractic care
for children with many kinds of neurological conditions including learning
disorders, hyperactivity, inability to concentrate and behavior problems.
For example,
the Director of Psychoeducational and Guidance Services of College Station,
Texas noted that of the 10,000 students referred to him in the previous decade,
those who had received chiropractic care seemed to show the most benefit. He
noticed that children failing their subjects and lacking motivation began
passing their subjects, became highly motivated, and showed improved
coordination and ability to participate in athletics after receiving
chiropractic care. Some of the cases from his files included:
1. High school student; non-motivated,
negative, passive, nonverbal and failing in high school work despite placement
in special classes. She was put on 20mg Ritalin. After chiropractic
adjustments, the student was taken off Ritalin, began talking and expressing
herself, and showed improved reading comprehension and reading speed.
2. Eight-year-old boy who was extremely
hyperactive, irritable and with severe behavior problems at home and school;
grades were marginal to failing; on 70mg. of Ritalin/day with steadily
diminishing results. After chiropractic care, Ritalin was discontinued and
coordination was improved to the extent that the student became a Little League
ball player. His attitude was excellent, grades were up and average of one
letter grade and behavior at home and school was exemplary.
3. A student with a four-year history of
marginal accomplishment in school was nervous, underweight and suffered from
insomnia. Medication was briefly tried but the student’s emotional control became
poor and he frequently wept. After chiropractic care there was a marked
reduction in nervousness and great improvement in emotional stability. His
mother reported that his appetite was now normal and he began enjoying school
during the last month.
Others have
observed chiropractic’s effect on hyperactivity: “The majority of children…did,
in fact, improve under specific chiropractic care.” Still others have commented
that spinal care may improve I.Q.
In one
interesting story, chiropractors had taken care of 244 children in a Kentucky
reform school. The teachers were so impressed that they signed a petition
asking for a full-time chiropractor on staff: “Not only did [the students]
improve in health, but also in their school work as pupils…there has been a
marked improvement in their moral life.” However, please remember that not all
children respond the same under chiropractic care.
Exactly how
subluxation correction affects brain function is not known. Some theorize that
chiropractic care improves blood flow to the brain, others feel it lessens
anxiety and promotes overall improved well-being or enhances brain function
while others feel it interrupts unhealthy nerve reflexes in the spinal cord.
Obviously the final word on the mechanism is not yet in.
In Conclusion
Working in
concert with nutritionists, homeopaths, CranioSacral therapists, psychologists,
medical doctors and other healers, including chiropractors, parents can give
their children every chance for optimal life expression.
If seriously
afflicted students have been found to benefit from chiropractic care, could not
“average” children benefit as well? Perhaps chiropractic care could help
“average” students become “above average”? Increase their IQ a few points?
Improve their reading skills a little and give them an edge in alertness,
coordination and speech? Why not discover the benefits of chiropractic for your
own children?
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