Parents of children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are increasingly turning to acupuncture as a therapeutic option (ADHD). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about one-third of children diagnosed with ADHD continue to have the disorder as adults. Furthermore, during the last eight years, the number of children diagnosed with ADHD has increased by 42 percent, leading many parents of ADD/ADHD children to assume that medication is their only option. While medication can be beneficial for some people, it is not the best choice for everyone. Acupuncture can aid with the treatment and management of ADD/ADHD symptoms, as well as other conditions that may be present.
Western Medicine for ADD & ADHD
According to Western medicine, ADD/ADHD is a neurological illness that causes a wide range of behavioral disorders, both hyperactive and non-hyperactive, with the same basic symptoms. While the cause of the disease is unknown in Western medicine, it is thought that particular parts of the brain where neuronal transmission occurs are affected.
ADD/ADHD Symptoms:
Difficulty focusing/concentrating/paying attention
Easily distracted
Impatience
Constant fidgeting/movement
Trouble listening
Trouble following instructions/commands
Talks too much or has trouble playing quietly
Interrupts others
Inattentive to details
Loses things easily
Trouble finishing schoolwork/homework
Leaves their seat often
ADD is now officially recognized as a type of ADHD, professionally called “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive presentation.”
The Three Types of ADHD:
ADHD inattentive presentation
ADHD hyperactive/impulsive presentation
ADHD combined presentation
Furthermore, while having ADD/ADHD is not necessarily a danger for other disorders, persons with ADD/ADHD are more likely to experience concomitant conditions, according to western medicine.
Possible Coinciding Conditions:
Depression
Anxiety
Learning disabilities
Bipolar disorder
Bed-wetting issues
Sleep disorders
Tourette’s Syndrome
Antisocial behavior
Substance abuse
Behavioral therapy, stimulant medicines, or both are commonly used in western medicine to treat ADD/ADHD. However, parents with young children who are taking these medications have expressed worries about the pills' adverse effects and safety.
Prescription Stimulant Possible Side-Effects:
Addiction
Insomnia
Mood swings
Tics
Headaches
Weight loss from decreased appetite
In extreme cases – delayed growth
Many of these short- and long-term side effects are all too familiar to those who suffer from ADD/ADHD. It seems as if one problem is addressed and another comes up, and parents are becoming much more aware of this problem. Parents, as well as adults with ADD/ADHD, are searching for alternative solutions to the treatment of ADD/ADHD that will address their symptoms without causing other detrimental symptoms in the process.
Acupuncture Treatment for ADD & ADHD
Those with ADD/ADHD are all too familiar with many of these short- and long-term negative effects. It appears that one issue is resolved just to be replaced by another, and parents are becoming increasingly conscious of the issue. Parents and adults with ADD/ADHD are looking for alternatives to traditional ADD/ADHD treatment that will address their symptoms without producing other negative side effects.
Good news: Acupuncture can help!
Parents are increasingly turning to acupuncture for the treatment of ADD/ADHD for their children. It has become more well-known and is being recommended by western medicine specialists more and more thanks to the publication of fresh studies.
Acupuncture Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and the Energetics of Stimulants, published in 2020, reported "surprisingly favorable outcomes" with acupuncture treatment when comparing stimulants and acupuncture treatment for ADHD.
A 2014 study, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Treated with Scalp Acupuncture and EEG Biofeedback Therapy in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial, found that the combined therapy of scalp acupuncture and EEG biofeedback had "superior efficacy on children with ADHD as compared to simple biofeedback therapy."
Both acupuncture research findings are encouraging, and more research into the effects of acupuncture for ADHD and ADD is needed. It's no surprise that people with ADHD and ADD seek acupuncture treatment based on this research.
Orlando Acupuncture for ADHD
It can be difficult and frightening to decide what to do if you or your child is suffering from attention problems or impulsiveness. Poor focus and hyperactivity can make it difficult to succeed in school or at work, as well as to create positive social contacts and relationships. It is critical to address these concerns rather than ignore them in the hopes that they would go away. Many people, however, are concerned that drugs may have undesirable side effects or become addictive. Acupuncture may be a good option for treating ADHD naturally.
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