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Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies for Children With Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

By Frank M. Painter|February 21, 2012|ADHD, Attention Deficit, Chiropractic Care, Food Sensitivity, Supplementation|

Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies for Children With Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

SOURCE: Alternative Medicine Review 2011 (Dec); 16 (4): 323–37

Janice Pellow, M.Tech (Hom),
Elizabeth M. Solomon, HD, ND, DO, BA,
Candice N. Barnard, M.Tech (Hom), B.Phys.Ed

University of Johannesburg, Department of Homeopathy,
Johannesburg, South Africa.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed childhood disorder characterized by impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. ADHD affects up to 1 in 20 children in the United States. The underlying etiologies of ADHD may be heterogeneous and diverse, and many possible risk factors in the development of ADHD have been identified. Conventional treatment usually consists of behavioral accommodations and medication, with stimulant medication most commonly being prescribed. Parents concerned about the side effects and long-term use of conventional medications are increasingly seeking alternatives to pharmacologic treatment. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) offers parents various treatment options for this condition, including dietary modifications, nutritional supplementation, herbal medicine, and homeopathy. CAM appears to be most effective when prescribed holistically and according to each individual’s characteristic symptoms. Possible etiologies and risk factors for the condition also need to be considered when developing a treatment plan. This article serves to highlight the latest research regarding the most commonly used CAM for children with ADHD.

Table 1. Risk Factors for ADHD (more…)

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The Death of the CCE Cartel

By Frank M. Painter|February 20, 2012|Expanded Practice, Legal Action, News|

The Death of the CCE Cartel

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Dynamic Chiropractic ~ February 12, 2012

By James Edwards, DC

After several organizations [1] testified in favor of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) being renewed as the accrediting agency for chiropractic colleges, some of those organizations issued less-than-accurate communications implying that the CCE was victorious in its effort. The fact is that nothing could be further from the truth.

It is not my intention to identify the organizations that misinterpreted and/or misrepresented what occurred. For those organizations that attempted to “spin” the facts in order to place the CCE in the most favorable light, I will leave it to them to correct the record. Instead, I will rely solely on transcripts and the reporting of the objective and highly prestigious Chronicle of Higher Education, and let you make your own judgments. After your review, I think it will become obvious that in a word, the CCE got publicly “spanked” for blatantly and steadfastly ignoring the wishes of the majority of the chiropractic profession.

While using the word cartel might seem harsh, it is important to stress that the description of the CCE as being a “virtual cartel” did not originate from me or even from within the chiropractic profession itself. It actually arose during a previous hearing by a member of the United States Department of Education (DOE) National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI). For your reading pleasure, the committee member’s harsh comments are below [with emphasis added]:

“Madam Chair, we’ve heard charges and countercharges from I trust a wide, fairly wide spectrum of the chiropractic profession. At least that’s the way it seems to me. Battles over turf, battles over philosophy, maybe battles over personal ambition, but divisions of every kind.

And some of this, maybe most of it, is a consequence of, at least as I see it, a monopoly control of a profession which has led to the establishment of a virtual cartel, not unusual. There are several other professions that we deal with that have a virtual cartel control of the profession. We can’t change that, but we can consider measures that will try to send a message to the prevailing control group that they should try to be more inclusive rather than less inclusive and I suggest that we try to figure out what is within our range of alternatives to do that.

Because I believe if we simply hear it, discuss it, anguish over it, and then give them five years of recognition, that we haven’t been the impetus for any corrective action for the profession and I worry about the profession.” [2]

Harsh Words

And now to the objective reporting of the highly prestigious Chronicle of Higher Education. Sit down, fasten your seatbelts and read what this impeccable, trusted source reported [again with emphasis added]: (more…)

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The Facts About Fevers

By Frank M. Painter|February 19, 2012|Education, Fever Management, Immune System, Pediatrics|

The Facts About Fevers

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: To Your Health ~ January 2012

By Claudia Anrig, DC

Our body’s first line of defense when invaded by any microbe, virus or bacteria is cells called microphages; a strong, healthy immune system may be able to eliminate the problem with this first step alone. If these fail to contain the microbe/”bug,” then the body creates other pryogens and proteins to try to assist. Once these have been created, the hypothalamus in the brain recognizes there is an invader and raises the body temperature to assist in killing it off.

This elevated temperature will generally be just a couple of degrees, but the hypothalamus determines, based on the number of pryogens and proteins, what will be necessary to eliminate the microbe/bug. If the hypothalamus creates additional biochemicals to try to protect the body, then the temperature rises accordingly.

Defining a Fever

For all children above the age of 3 months, a fever is actually a good thing. It’s a sign that their immune system is functioning properly. Although many parents will panic when their child has a temperature above 98.6° F (37° C), and this is understandable since many health care providers have called this a “low-grade fever,” the reality is that children’s temperature may naturally run a little higher than what many consider the norm.

A true low-grade fever is anything between 100°F and 102.2°F (37.8° C and 39° C). This level of fever is beneficial; with most microbes/”bugs” that a child will be exposed to, this fever will assist the body in repelling the invader.

A moderate-grade fever is typically between 102.2° F and 104.5° F (39° C and 40° C). This temperature is still considered beneficial; if a child’s body has reached this temperature, it’s what’s needed to kill whatever bacteria or virus their body is attempting to fight.

A high fever is a fever greater than 104.5° F (40° C). This fever may cause the child some discomfort and result in a bit of crankiness. Generally indicative of a bacterial infection, this fever means that the body is fighting something a little more serious than the common cold. While it will not cause brain damage or any other harm to a child, it is wise to seek assistance from their medical provider.

A serious fever is one that is at or above 108° F (42° C); this fever can be harmful.

Can a Fever Be Dangerous? (more…)

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Cash-Only Practices: Medical Doctors Reconsider Their Options

By Frank M. Painter|February 16, 2012|Practice Management|

Cash-Only Practices: Medical Doctors Reconsider Their Options

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Medscape ~ 2-10-2012

By Neil Chesanow

It’s not just chiropractors who are considering switching to all-cash practices. Managed Care is also losing its grip on medical practices.

Introduction

Cash-only (also called “direct-pay”) medical practices, in which doctors shun managed care contracts and are paid in cash by patients, are gaining adherents — admittedly slowly, but surely. And while there have been philosophical and logistic criticisms of the model, some of those are steadily breaking down.

One reason is that low insurance reimbursements, particularly from Medicare, are making it harder to meet practice overhead expenses. Another is that increasingly more doctors, particularly primary care physicians, seek greater control over their patient visits and patient relations.

“How do you create a practice model where your patients are your payers, where you get doctor and patient back into a real relationship, and where patients can trust in the way doctors work and how they do business?” asks Alan Dappen, MD, who has a cash-only solo practice in Vienna, Virginia.

Cash-Only: Making a Real Impact?

(more…)

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Passive Range of Motion Testing and Post-isometric Relaxation of the Shoulder

By Frank M. Painter|February 14, 2012|Post-isometric Relaxation, Shoulder|

Passive Range of Motion Testing and Post-isometric Relaxation of the Shoulder

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Chiro.Org’s Shoulder Page

Passive range of motion (ROM) testing of the shoulder is accomplished with the patient supine, and the shoulder joint slightly off the table. The humerus should be abducted to 90° away from the body, so that full internal and external rotation of the humerus can be explored. From the neutral position (with the forearm pointing at the ceiling) normal ROM findings would involve a full 90° of external and internal rotation.

Passive Range of Motion Testing

Internal Rotation. Internal rotation of the shoulder is controlled by four muscles: the
subscapularis (C5–C6),
pectoralis major (C5–T1),
latissimus dorsi (C6–C8), and
teres major (C5–C6).
The anterior deltoid assists.

The starting position would be with the patient’s forearm pointing straight up at the ceiling. From this position the arm can and should be able to rotate a full 90° in either direction.

The individual on the right has lost almost half of his ability to internally rotate at the humerus, due to shortening of the external rotators.

The common link between all these muscles is the C5 segment. Subluxation of C5 is common in those who present with shoulder complaints.

External Rotation. External rotation of the shoulder is conducted by
the infraspinatus (C5–C6)
and the teres minor (C5),
with assistance by the posterior part of the deltoid.

The individual on the right has lost about one-third of his ability to externally rotate at the humerus, due to shortening of the internal rotators.

Mild over pressure on the forearm during this test will usually elicit pain and withdrawal sign by the patient.

(more…)

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Effect of Backpack Load Carriage on Cervical Posture in Primary Schoolchildren

By Frank M. Painter|February 11, 2012|Backpacks, Forward Head Posture, Pediatrics|

Effect of Backpack Load Carriage on Cervical Posture in Primary Schoolchildren

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Work. 2012 (Jan 1); 41 (1): 99—108

By Fran Kistner, Ira Fiebert, Kathryn Roach

School of Physical Therapy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Worcester, MA, USA.

Objective: This study examined the effects of various backpack loads on elementary schoolchildren’s posture and postural compensations as demonstrated by a change in forward head position.

Subjects: A convenience sample of 11 schoolchildren, aged 8-11 years participated.

Methods: Sagittal digital photographs were taken of each subject standing without a backpack, and then with the loaded backpack before and after walking 6 minutes (6MWT) at free walking speed. This was repeated over three consecutive weeks using backpacks containing randomly assigned weights of 10%, 15%, or 20% body weight of each respective subject. The craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured using digitizing software, recorded and analyzed. (more…)

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