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ADD-ADHD

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Attention deficit disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a widespread affliction that we are just beginning to understand. Affecting 3-4 million children in the United States, and probably a larger number of adults, ADHD is considered the most common pediatric disorder. ADHD is a compulsive disorder, usually genetic in origin, caused by imbalances of neurotransmitters, the messengers that communicate between the neurons in the brain. It strikes in childhood and continues into adulthood. Fortunately, chiropractors have documented instances of effective treatment for children diagnosed with ADHD.

Up to 6 million children display symptoms and learning disabilities that are labeled as ADD/ADHD. They are often prescribed medications that have not been proven safe and effective, and may even have serious side effects. Research shows that many of these children may be pre-disposed to addictive behavior and obsessive/compulsive disorder due to a genetic variant, and that the medications can exacerbate substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors. Family chiropractors frequently see these children in their offices and correlate symptoms with both vertebral subluxations and lifestyle factors, including diet, lifestyle, and emotional stressors. As chiropractors, the ultimate goal of care is to improve overall function by reducing vertebral subluxations that interfere with life expression.

In one compelling case, a mother brought her seven-year-old daughter in for chiropractic evaluation. Her primary concerns were her daughter’s hyperactive behavior, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating in school, and aggressive behavior toward her sister.

After the mother filled out a behavioral and personality assessment and general health history form, the Torque Release Chiropractic technique was used to determine the location of vertebral subluxations. The patient began a regimen of chiropractic adjustments to her vertebral subluxations three times a week, along with craniosacral therapy. The mother and child were instructed on dietary changes and nutritional supplements that would support neurological function, and the mother received instructions on visual and kinesthetic communication techniques. During the course of the girl’s chiropractic care, her mother completed a weekly monitor of the child’s sleeping and appetite patterns as well as behavioral traits, rating them on a 1-10 scale. Over the course of her 90-day treatment schedule, these assessments reflected improvements in the daughter’s behavior.

Many chiropractors report anecdotal success with ADHD patients who have received subluxation-based chiropractic, and present research is revealing how subluxation-based chiropractic works. This is more understandable by taking a closer look at the pleasure center of the brain.

A State of well-being is manifest when the mesolimbic system’s brain reward cascade (Figure 1) of neurotransmitter mechanisms is expressed without interference. The vertebral motor units are in intimate relationship with the brain reward cascade mechanism by virtue of the nociceptive reflex from vertebrae to limbic system. This may explain a recent finding that only vertebrates have opiate receptors, suggesting that only vertebrates experience a state of well-being as we know it. Thus, if a subluxation is manifest, it interferes in our ability to experience a state of well-being. As research continues, new information will allow us to understand why subluxation-based chiropractic affords us the ability to develop greater self-confidence and improve our physical and mental well-being.

Anxiety & Depression

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It is appropriate to first discuss research that suggests the spine may be an anatomical extension of the limbic system. The limbic system is the site where feelings are mediated. These feelings are expressed through the reward cascade model as first proposed by Blum and Kozlowski (1990). We now know many naturally occurring brain and spinal cord substances play a role in both emotions and pain reduction, leading to an increased sense of wellbeing. In this regard, Pert and Diensfrey (1988) and Lewis and colleagues (1981) suggested the limbic system should include not only the amygdala and hypothalamus, but also the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. In fact they point out that a number of neuropeptide receptors having psychophysiological effects can be found in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Burstein and Potrebic (1993) of the Department of Neuro-Biology at the Harvard Medical School provide evidence for direct projection of the spinal cord neurons to the amygdala and orbital cortex. Further, these authors suggest that these pathways play a role in neuronal circuits that enable somatosensory information, including pain, to effect autonomic, endocrine, and behavioral functions. Giesler, Katter & Dado (1994) found specific spinal pathways which project to the limbic system for nociceptive information, and these pathways seem to include the hypothalamus bilaterally. In unpublished work conducted prior to the previously mentioned network study, Holder and Blum decided to test the hypothesis that chiropractic care goes beyond its known role in musculoskeletal disorders. This is based on the speculation that via adjustment of the spine, a subluxation free spine would facilitate an enhanced sense of well-being via limbic activation of dopamine release at the nucleus accumbens. We therefore carried out preliminary studies at the Exodus Treatment Center in Miami, Florida, where we incorporated chiropractic procedures (Torque Release Technique) to see if we could significantly affect psychological states, drug withdrawal, and patient retention rates in inpatient SUD residents.

The investigation was a randomized clinical trial, blinded and with a placebo control to mimic the subluxation-based chiropractic treatment. The study included 98 human subjects and consisted of three groups: a standard residential treatment group, a standard residential treatment group plus chiropractic adjustments, and a standard residential treatment plus placebo chiropractic adjustments. The results analyzed reveal that chiropractic adjustments are producing a significantly improved retention rate within a 30 day residential model compared to both the placebo and the standard groups, with a statistically significant improvement in anxiety and depression scores (based on a battery of seven psychological inventories) when compared to sham controls, as well as a significant reduction in nursing station visits compared to controls. While these results are intriguing and open to a number of possible interpretations, the study needs to be replicated by an independent laboratory before any conclusions can be drawn.

This study relates association between chiropractic care and state of well-being. Dr. Holder chose addicts for the study population since addicts best represent those persons suffering from Reward Deficiency Syndrome (a lack of state of well-being) and its relationship to the Brain Reward Cascade. Therefore, the study was conducted at Exodus Addiction Treatment Center, a 350-bed Addiction hospital located in Miami, Florida. During the 18-month study, the patient population was divided into three test groups. Group One received standard addiction treatment including group therapy, psychotherapy and medical care. Group two received the same addiction treatment but was also provided subluxation-based chiropractic adjustments using the Torque Release Technique delivered via the use of the Integrator adjusting instrument. Group Three was the placebo group which received the same addiction treatment performed in Group One and two, but was also provided placebo chiropractic adjustments by modifying the Integrator to fire without any force or frequency characteristics.

Just 56 per cent of Group One finished their treatment program, compared with 75 per cent of Group Three (placebo group), but this was not statistically significant thereby failing to support that chiropractic had a placebo effect. However, 100 per cent of the patients in Group two receiving true chiropractic adjustments finished their treatment program. This 100 per cent Retention Rate has never been accomplished by any other modality including pharmaceutical, psychological or medical treatment. Retention Rate is the “gold standard” in the field of addiction treatment. It is the primary yardstick for funding treatment programs that government funding agencies and drug courts use to fund and/or refer patients to. There are now over 400 drug courts requiring treatment instead of incarceration throughout the United States. The Miami Drug Court was the first. In addition, Group two also made far fewer visits to the nurse’s station and showed statistically significant decreases in anxiety, a leading cause of relapse to addicts. Only nine per cent of those receiving adjustments by Torque Release Technique made one or more visits to the nurse’s station while in the program, compared to 56 per cent of the placebo group and 48 per cent of the usual care group, This suggests that the chiropractic adjustments not only lacked a placebo effect, but that the placebo group did the worst. This was quite important since our detractors like to blame chiropractic’s success on some sort of placebo effect; they certainly can’t in this case.

The Beck’s Depression Inventory revealed that chiropractic care got depression levels below a score of 5 in 4 weeks, something which usually took one year of medication and psychotherapy to achieve the same result. The Spielberger State Anxiety Test revealed that chiropractic care got anxiety levels below a score of 35 in 3 weeks. Normally it took six months of medication and psychotherapy to achieve the same result. The study clearly showed a strong association between chiropractic care and significant improvement in state of well-being and increased retention of patients in an addiction treatment program. Currently, retention is a major hurdle in treating addictions.

There are five addictions: chemical, work, eating disorders, sex and gambling. This includes but is not limited to the compulsive disorders such as ADHD, Tourette’s Syndrome, depression and anxiety disorders, Anecdotal Torque Release Technique research has revealed restoration of abnormal EEG brain wave activity in ADHD following subluxation correction. By error of omission, the leading cause of death in North America is drug-related and is the leading cause of crime at 84 per cent. Interestingly, there are three causes of subluxation: mental, chemical, physical. Addicts who finish a 30-day program have a much better chance of overcoming their addiction and staying clean. However, nationally, only 72 per cent of all participants manage to complete such a program. That’s why the 100 per cent retention rate offered by subluxation correction in this study is so important. Too many people who could be helped by these programs are dropping out too soon. If we can get them to stay in the program, we can begin to see real progress in our battle against addictions. Success can be attributed to a “major change in the anxiety levels, which went down much more dramatically in the chiropractic group. “In these kinds of treatment facilities, if you make an effort that’s successful to reduce anxiety, you can keep people around longer,” my colleague Dr. Robert Duncan added. The Torque Release Technique and the Integrator were created out of this study by accident. In designing the study Dr. Holder had to find a way to ensure consistency and reproducibility in the application of delivering the chiropractic adjustment and to measure its outcome. To accomplish this it was necessary to adjust by instrument rather than by hand. However, chiropractic had not yet developed an instrument that reproduced what the chiropractor’s hands were intended to do; and the most classical thrust maneuver by hand was Toggle Recoil.

CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR The Magazine for Canada’s Chiropractic Profession OCTOBER 2001, VOLUME 6 NUMBER 5 26

Autism

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Autism is a behavioral developmental disorder generally presenting in children in the first 18 months of life. Individuals with autism are affected in different ways, but all seem to suffer from a triad of abnormalities: difficulty in interacting with others, impairments in communication, and difficulty in thinking imaginatively. The estimated population of people with autism in New Zealand is approximately 40,000 or 1 in every 100 people. The causes of autism are unknown, though genetic associations, along with internal and external environmental stimuli – both in-utero and at any stage post-partum – are the most accepted theories regarding the causes of autism. No matter the cause, those affected by autism have problems with sensory-neural integration and consequent motor output.

A 3½ year old girl was brought in for chiropractic care after being diagnosed twelve months prior with autism. The child did not speak or communicate with anyone except through screaming and tantrum-like outbursts. She would not socialize with her peers and did not engage in physical activity other than that initiated during a tantrum. Both constipation and sleep disturbances were noted at several stages of her life. The mother described the birth as non-traumatic; however, the child was delivered via vacuum extraction with the mother receiving an epidural. Immediately following birth the child was separated from her mother and received a vitamin K injection along with all standard vaccinations, and she was reported to have reacted differently to other children. She slept for 24 hours after receiving the first series of vaccinations. The child suffered a fall from her cot at 5 months of age with no noticeable damage, and she was breastfed for 18 months. She had not spoken at all and only verbalized via screaming, which was observed on presentation.

The initial chiropractic exam revealed decreased respiration in the thoraco-lumbar region and a fast left cervical syndrome. Palpation and range of motion testing, along with spinal, thermal, and electromyography (EMG) scans, were difficult to conduct due to the apprehension of the child. The initial EMG was consequently only performed on the lumbar spine. These initial EMG and thermography scans revealed large areas of asymmetrical motor and autonomic function respectively throughout the entire spine. The scans were performed using the Insight™ surface EMG and thermal scanning technology. The child was checked and adjusted 28 times over a 10-week period using the Torque Release Technique (TRT) model and Integrator™ instrument.

After five adjustments within two weeks, the child—who was previously very apprehensive – was able to lay on the table herself, and by the sixth visit was holding the chiropractor’s hand. The doctor also noted that on the fifth visit, the patient demonstrated emotional response when her C2 was adjusted for the first time. By the tenth visit the child verbalized for the first time while being adjusted and was reported to be laughing during the same week. During the 6th week under care and her 18th visit, the child was reported to have been constipated. No signs were present 24 hours later, at the 19th visit. Comparable thermal and EMG scans were taken at 1 and 2 months following the onset of care. Importantly, the EMG scan was able to be taken of the full spine on both follow-up occasions. Increased balance and symmetry was noted on the 1st month’s scans in both motor and autonomic function as tested bilaterally parallel to the spine, which further improved on the 2nd month scans.

Current literature fails to identify any single anatomical, physical, physiological, psychological, or neurochemical cause for autism, and no single trait is pathognomonic for a diagnosis. Recent studies suggest environmental causes such as infection, digestive dysfunction, autoimmune responses and side effects to antibiotics and vaccines, but these appear to only be associations.

Whatever the cause, there appears to be a problem with environmental perception (sensory neural integration) and subsequent response (motor output). Despite uncertainty in pathogenesis, autopsy results on autistic subjects have yielded consistent findings in the cerebral and particularly cerebellar regions of the brain. Twelve autistic cases showed Purkinje neuronal loss with a consequent reduction in size, most notably in the posterior cerebellar vermis. The vermis receives visual, auditory and vestibular inputs as well as somatic sensory input from the head and proximal parts of the body. Hence the vermis plays a large role in sensing the surrounding environment, a function that appears to be affected in autistic people. Thus the part of the brain that plays a major role in perceiving the environment appears to be reduced in size, cell number and also function in autistic patients.

Here subluxation-based chiropractic care can have its impact. A vertebral subluxation refers to a mechanical problem in the spine that relates to nerve interference. Due to altered biomechanics of the spine, a subluxation can lead to an imbalance in sensory input into both the cerebrum and cerebellum – especially the vermis – from the left, right, or both sides of the body. This sensory dysafferentation then leads to alteration in the central integrative state of the neuronal cells involved with initiating the response to the environmental stimuli (cerebellum and motor cortex initially), which in the case of autistic children can manifest as either hyperactive or hypoactive responses to their environment. Adjustments have the effect of resetting the joint and the mechanoreceptor activity to a resting state with a subsequent change in the central integrative state of the central nervous system, leading to a more appropriate response to the environment.

This case report illustrates how an improvement respectively in both subjective and objective behavioral patterns and nerve system symmetry followed chiropractic care in a child with autism. Similar cases have been published previously with comparable behavioral changes; however, further research is required to determine the exact role of chiropractic in benefiting children with autism.

America’s Health is Inside Out

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In America, most approach health from the outside in. We make up only 3-5% of the world population and consume 60% of all prescription drugs.

In fact, a new study just released by the Mayo Clinic stated that 2/3 of all Americans are taking prescription drugs on a daily basis. Ten years ago a study showed that the U.S. was ranked 24th in overall health, let’s fast-forward ten years, we are now ranked 49th. 49TH! Our infant survival rate past one day old is 69th in the world. 69TH! Cuba and Panama are ahead of us. These are developing world countries we are talking about that are beating us in healthcare. Last year, we spent near $10 trillion on healthcare and that number is only rising.

If we consume more drugs than anyone else in the world, spend more money on our health than anyone else in the world, shouldn’t we be healthier than anyone else in the world?

If health came from large sums of money and prescriptions drugs, we would be. Now don’t let the word non-prescription fool you either. Around 50,000 Americans die each year from Aspirin due to stomach bleeding. According to the Mayo Clinic thousands of individuals die each year due to liver failure caused by consuming too much Tylenol and Advil. At {BUSINESS NAME} we focus on educating the greater {LOCAL COMMUNITIES} on how to obtain a truly healthy lifestyle. Explore our website to find how chiropractic may be the solution to your health problems.

Could you be wasting money on all the healthy organic food you are eating?

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I want to start off by saying I cannot tell you how many people I have met that lead very healthy lives for the most part and just don’t understand why they still get sick or are still in pain. There are 5 pillars of health…the average person does about 2 of them and most healthy people do about 3-4 of them. Now I want to ask you a question. If you are doing 4 out of 5 of them that is 80% health. I don’t know about you but I want the full 100%. Your health is nothing to mess around with and is by far your greatest asset in life. Some people think their cable and internet bill is more important and we send those people to the Chiropractor down the street who also believes that (be careful who you trust your health with). Practice members at Apex Chiropractic understand where true health comes from and have their priorities straight so we are all on the same page.

The 5 Pillars of Health:

Exercise
Depending on your age you should be getting at least 20 minutes of cardio exercise 5 days a week. I am not saying you need to get out there and do cross-fit 8 days a week. Humans have 2 feet and we were meant to walk. If you want to start by walking 20 minutes a day that is wonderful and a great place to start!

Sleep
Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. You should be sleeping on your back or on your side with a pillow in between your knees and a pillow that keeps your head level with your spine. No stomach sleeping!

Proper Mental Attitude
I cannot stress the importance of this one enough. Negative attitudes and a negative outlook on life are literally killing people. You need to do your best to keep a positive outlook on life on a day to day basis. Yes, stuff happens and it is OK to get sad, depressed or have anxiety in certain situations. These feelings are normal and good to have every now and then but overall you need to keep a happy outlook on life. Let me give you an example. Two 12 year old boys are diagnosed with a life threatening cancer. The doctor tells them they have two weeks to live. One of the boys get very sad and discouraged and dies in two weeks. The other boy says I am way too young for this and there is no way I am going to let this cancer beat me. He rises above it and is still living to this day cancer free. The only difference was their mental attitude on the situation.

Eating Healthy
I am not going to get into what you should or shouldn’t eat because most people have a good idea of that already and if you need help in this area there are millions of trained professionals out there. One question I do want to ask you is if the nerves going to your stomach and intestines are not working the correct way how do you think you might be digesting your food? Maybe you are taking top of the line supplements and buying all natural organic food from Whole Foods or Alfalfa’s. What if you are wasting your money because your body is not capable of absorbing the nutrients the right way do to an improperly functioning nervous system? Think about it…

100% Functioning Nervous System
This is the pillar that even most healthy people are lacking. Less than 3% of the people in this world are under Principled Chiropractic care. The brain and the nervous system control and coordinate all organs, structures and functions of the human body. It doesn’t matter how well you eat or how much you exercise, if your nervous system has any type of interference your body will not be functioning at 100%.

If the nerves going to you or your child’s heart or lungs were not working properly when would you want to find out?

Don’t You Love To Get Sick!

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America is sicker than ever and a majority of us choose to live in denial. We were not born into this world with a destiny leading to sickness. What kind of messed up world would this be if that was the truth? The reality is most people believe all of this sickness is normal so we unfortunately do live in a pretty messed up world right now. Seriously, who doesn’t like to get sick these days? We have such great drugs…why bother trying to stay healthy in the first place?

Most Common Excuses

  • I don’t have time
  • I don’t have the money
  • I would just rather live with it
  • I take a baby aspirin already

It is time to put these excuses behind you. If you don’t give time for your health now it surely will not give you time in the future. I know there are a lot of gamblers out there so if you choose to gamble with your health more power to you. Did you know the most common person that seeks chiropractic care is a middle aged person with a high IQ? Hmmmm…I wonder why? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the way most Americans approach their health is not working.

Some of the most common sicknesses people deal with on a daily basis.

  • Asthma
  • Allergies
  • Pain
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Headaches

Most Common Treatments and Side effects

  • Asthma: Inhalers—tremors, nervousness, headaches, diarrhea, to name a few…
  • Allergies: Claritin—seizures, passing out, jaundice, irregular heart rate and more!
  • Pain: Aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen (I won’t bother getting into the prescription drugs)—hives, rash, heart burn, stomach problems, kill over 100,000 adults and children a year!
  • Anxiety and Depression: Psychotropic drugs—breathing problems, weight changes, memory loss, nervousness, unusual bleeding.
  • Headaches: See “Pain” and side effects.

Sign me up! I can’t believe I am missing out on all the health and fun! All of this information was taken from WebMD and are real facts and statistics. These are only a few of the side effects for the medications listed. I would have put them all but unfortunately ran out of room.

I am just so thankful for the Principled Chiropractor that sat me down and educated me where true health comes from. Thanks to him I have been leading a healthy life and have been able to lead my family, friends and community in the same direction. Chiropractic boosts the Immune System naturally which leads to less sickness. At Apex Chiropractic we deliver this same message once a week, not only to empower you, but your friends and family members as well. It is free to the members of our community in {COMMUNITIES} area. Please call us at {PHONE} for more information.

Free Dinner with the Doc

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{BUSINESS NAME} is a new member to the {LOCATION} community. We are an extremely education based office on a mission to teach the local {LOCAL COMMUNITIES} areas how the body is truly meant to function and get you through day to day life in a healthy happy way!

The United States is going through a health crisis right now causing so many families and children to suffer from health conditions that are interfering and ruining their lives. Millions of people are suffering from mental health issues like depression, anxiety and addiction. Millions more with asthma and allergy problems, infertility, cancer, autism and other learning disorders. Remind you of anyone? This is not normal and {BUSINESS NAME} is here to bring a stop to this health crisis once and for all! People have been brainwashed into believing that these conditions are normal and that you are supposed to learn to live with them by taking a pill or some other type of medicine to cover up the symptoms. You may be asking yourself how is this possible? Come see for yourself {DATE} in downtown {LOCATION}!

Our office is holding a complimentary dinner and educational presentation to go over some life changing health information completely FREE! Our passion is to educate the community so they have the knowledge to lead a healthy life.

The dinner will be held {DATE, TIME, PLACE}. Seating is limited and there only a few spots left. Contact your friends and families and give us a call at {PHONE} or email us at {EMAIL ADDRESS} to reserve your group’s seats now!

Tired of dealing with Anxiety and Depression?

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Anxiety is an increasingly common condition. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, it’s the most prevalent mental disorder, affecting 40 million U.S. adults. When left untreated, anxiety, depression and addictions can control your life.

Dr. Shane Kurth, a Torque Release Technique Chiropractor in Louisville, CO, has had firsthand experience of the toll anxiety can take on your life. Anxiety had controlled his life for as long as he can remember. After going to the hospital after his first panic attack he tried just about every way possible to beat it. Guess what? Chiropractic and specifically the Torque Release Technique, the newest most advanced and scientific technique chiropractic has to offer, have saved his life! He is one of the thousands of people who have sought out this anxiety treatment and have had life changing results.

Our Chiropractic office in {LOCATION} has people coming in to experience the natural treatment plans we offer to get people’s lives back on track! The treatment is extremely effective and the results are coming way quicker than any medication has to offer. We are helping people overcome: Anxiety, depression, addiction, ocd, insomnia, adhd and more!

We are helping families fro{LOCAL COMMUNITIES} achieve a better quality of life through specific scientific chiropractic!