Chiropractic Improves Sensory & Learning Disorders:
Learning disorders and sensory processing disorders (SPD) are impairments in detecting, modulating, interpreting, or responding to sensory stimuli. One study estimates that 5% of elementary aged children met the criteria for SPD (1). These conditions are closely related to other neurodevelopmental disorders and often overlap with autism and ADHD. Recent studies have shown the benefits of chiropractic in enhancing the functionality of individuals with SPD and Autism (2, 3, 4, 5).
In 2011, we have more children and young adults affected by neurodevelopmental issues and learning disorders than ever before in history. There are many factors involved in this such as birth and/or early childhood trauma, environmental toxins, food allergens, non-breast feeding and the heavy vaccination schedule. These are all areas that show promise as causative factors in the formation of neurodevelopmental issues and learning disorders.
Birth Trauma and Upper Cervical Stress:
Birth trauma can come in the form of a forceps or vacuum extraction delivery. Even normal vaginal or cesarean birth processes can be particularly traumatic. The most vulnerable area of the infant’s body is the upper cervical spine.
This also happens to be the area where the brain stem ties into the top of the spinal cord. Birth trauma can significantly damage this region creating a neurological insult that is referred to as subluxation.
Subluxation Alters Neurological Processing
Subluxation is a term used to describe mechanical compression and irritation to spinal joints and nerves. Subluxation scrambles the neurological feedback loop by causing altered rhythms of neurological flow (6).
Subluxation insults the neurology of the infant and affects normal development and maturation. This can often create an environment conducive to the formation of neurodevelopmental issues and learning disorders such as autism, ADHD, & SPD (7).
Many chiropractors specialize in the location, diagnosis and correction of subluxation patterns in infants and young children. These chiropractors often have unique training with digital technology that uses thermographic and surface electromyography to calibrate the function of the nervous system and identify areas of neurological insult.
They are also gifted with palpation, posture and body motion observations to locate specific biomechanical and neurological imbalances in the young child.
Chiropractic & Sensory Learning Disorders
Two recent studies published in the 2011 edition of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health showed the benefits of chiropractic on SPD and autism (8, 9). In both cases the children were diagnosed with upper cervical subluxation patterns that were thought to have occurred from early childhood traumas.
The children also showed signs of neurological imbalance and subluxation in other regions of the spine. Results of their care were startling and would naturally be considered major breakthroughs in the medical model.
The children’s care consisted of specific chiropractic adjustments for a period of weeks to remove subluxation and balance the neurology. They also followed an anti-inflammatory diet nutritional program This involved a gluten-free, casein-free diet and nutritional supplements such as probiotics and digestive enzymes.
The Gut & NeuroDevelopmental Disorders
Most natural health practitioners would agree that the majority of children with neurodevelopmental disorders have neurological and digestive damage (10, 11). The digestive issues typically involve leaky gut syndrome, gut dysbiosis, Candida infections and chronic food allergens. These problems typically present together and can be remedied with an anti-inflammatory diet and nutritional supplements.
There are 10 other case studies of children with similar neurodevelopmental issues and learning disorders who have seen significant improvements through chiropractic care. This is evidence of the role that subluxation plays in affecting normal sensory system maturation and development (12, 13, 14, 15).
Hopefully, these recent studies will shine a light on the impact of subluxation correction on healthy neurological balance. This can range from immune system disorders, chronic disease and neurodevelopmental problems.
More research dollars should be spent on inexpensive, low risk, non-invasive modalities such as chiropractic care for childhood health problems and normal brain and immune system maturation processes.
Sources for This Article Include:
1. Miller LJ, Nielsen DM, Schoen SA, Brett-Green BA. Perspectives on Sensory Processing Disorder: A Call for Translational Research. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience. 2009;3:22.
2. Alcantara J, Davis J. The chiropractic care of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a retrospective case series. Explore (NY). 2010 May-Jun;6(3):173-82. PMID: 20451152
3. Muir JM. Chiropractic management of a patient with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2012;11(3):221-224.
4. ICPA – The Chiropractic Care of Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Retrospective Case Series Link Here
5. ICPA – Behavioral and Learning Changes Secondary to Chiropractic Care to Reduce Subluxations in a Child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Link Here
6. Owens EF. Chiropractic subluxation assessment: what the research tells us. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association. 2002;46(4):215-220.
7. Chiropractic Pediatrics Link Here
8. Chiropractic Pediatrics – Improvement in a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder Following Subluxation Based Chiropractic Care & Dietary Changes Link Here
9. Chiropractic Pediatrics – Improvement in Autistic Behaviors Following Chiropractic Care: A Case Series Link Here
10. Bested AC, Logan AC, Selhub EM. Intestinal microbiota, probiotics and mental health: from Metchnikoff to modern advances: Part II – contemporary contextual research. Gut Pathogens. 2013;5:3.
11. van De Sande MM, van Buul VJ, Brouns FJ. Autism and nutrition: the role of the gut-brain axis. Nutr Res Rev. 2014 Dec;27(2):199-214. PMID: 25004237
12. ICPA – Manual Therapy in Children: Proposals for an Etiologic Model – Effects of Uppercervical Adjustments on Children with Learning Disorders Link Here
13. ICPA – ADD/ADHD Chiropractic Case Studies Link Here
14. ICPA – Developmental Delay Syndromes and Chiropractic Link Here
15. ICPA – Prospective Cohort of ADHD Patients Under Chiropractic Care Link Here
