Pathways Article Summaries and References

Issue 11 - Fall 2006

 

Letter from the Editor
Jeanne Ohm, DC

These days, you only need to be remotely tuned to the news media to realize that the use of prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs are frequently more hazardous to our health than helpful. When government agencies are no longer considered capable of overseeing multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industries and our families’ lives and health are in jeopardy because of it—we have a serious crisis at hand.

Thankfully, parents are no longer trusting that agencies and industries are working in our best interest. Informed parents are taking the initiative to seek natural, safe ways to restore health and well being for themselves and their children. Tired of the dying paradigm—suppressing symptoms with drugs and surgery—today’s parents want solution-based wellness care that is safe and effective.

Today is fortunately the age of information; we are privy to knowledge previously kept from the public. The Internet has allowed us to explore and research information on our own—as opposed to being misled by persuasive advertisements on TV.  We are challenging the legitimacy of the entire system as numerous drugs and procedures “proven safe and effective” are turning out to be not-so-effective and—even worse—unsafe. “Evidenced-based” research and any practice based on it no longer carries authority because the foundation of its integrity is in question. Rather than relying on industries that substantiate their own products/interests through biased trials, parents are embracing care that offers their families true results with improved quality of life. 

Additionally, it is becoming evident that the insurance industry is not supporting our rights to choose wellness for our families. The question arises: why they are not covering wellness care that prevents further sickness and disease and rather continuing to cover services with questionable efficacy that frequently lead to greater health problems? Faced with this industry’s reluctance to provide benefits for true health care, parents are opting out of policies covering drug and unused visits. By doing so, they are saving on monthly premiums and investing these dollars into more holistic and safer family care.

Natural-based care cannot compete with the pharmaceutical industries’ seemingly unlimited ability to advertise on TV. It is through testimonials from satisfied people whose quality of life has been improved that the life changing results of natural care are promoted. Hearing personal experiences often propels individuals to step away from slick pharmaceutical advertising ploys and search for real practical health care.  What each and every one of us has experienced with wellness care needs to be made known.

It is truly a time of change and momentum. Parents are claiming the rights and responsibilities for their families’ health. Today’s families are participating in wellness lifestyle changes that are making a huge impact on their present and future well-being. We are proud to play our role in offering information that supports the family wellness lifestyle in Pathways and on our website. We respect and appreciate parents’ rights to choose wellness and we will continue to provide our readers with resources and perspectives that offer the solutions they are seeking.

 

Feature Article:

The Myth of ADD
Thomas Armstrong, PhD

From the article:

Over the past thirty years, attention deficit disorder (ADD), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), has emerged from the relative obscurity of cognitive psychologists’ research laboratories to become the "disease du jour" of America’s schoolchildren. Accompanying this popularity has been a virtually complete acceptance of the validity of this "disorder" by scientists, physicians, psychologists, educators, parents, and others. On closer critical scrutiny, however, there is much to be troubled about concerning ADD/ADHD as a real medical diagnosis. There is no definitive objective set of criteria to determine who has ADD/ADHD and who does not. Rather, there are a loose set of behaviors (hyperactivity, distractibility, and impulsivity) that combine in different ways to give rise to the "disorder." These behaviors are highly context-dependent. A child may be hyperactive while seated at a desk doing a boring worksheet, but not necessarily while singing in a school musical. These behaviors are also very general in nature and give no clue as to their real origins. A child can be hyperactive because he’s bored, depressed, anxious, allergic to milk, creative, a hands-on learner, or has a difficult temperament, is stressed out, is driven by a media-mad culture, or any number of other possible causes. The tests that have been used to determine if someone has ADD/ADHD are either artificially objective and remote from the lives of real children...

About the Author:

Read more about Dr. Armstrong here: www.thomasarmstrong.com/bio.htm

View his many books and videos here: www.thomasarmstrong.com/books.htm

Contact Dr. Armstrong here: thomas@thomasarmstrong.com

Resources:

Supporting Article:

The Wild Child
Scott Noelle

From the article:

Domesticated animals confined to farms, zoos, and similar unnatural habitats lack a certain “spark” found in their wild counterparts. They’ve been bred or trained to live apart from their nature. They’ve adjusted to their lack of freedom...

About the Author:

Scott Noelle, author, father, counselor offers "Inspiration & Coaching for Progressive Parents". His practical insights into parenting are found on his websites: www.scottnoelle.com and www.enjoyparenting.com. You can sign up for his excellent daily groove newsletter here: www.enjoyparenting.com/dailygroove

Additional Supporting Info:

This blurb discussed the ADD/HD theory initiated by Thom Hartmann that discusses the "Hunter" Farmer" gene. Very enlightening, empowering perspective worth checking into. Visit Thom Hartmann's site here: www.thomhartmann.com

 

Wellness Lifestyle:

Herbal Antibiotic Alternative
Ceara Foley

Our Wellness Lifestyle column contributes suggestions and ideas relevant to health and well-being on all levels. This quarter's article discusses herbal supplements that enhance immune system function as opposed to the current abuse of antibiotics.

From the Article:

Humans exist in symbiosis with bacteria living all around and inside us. Children migrate towards bacteria. They are inherently fond of the same things bacteria treasure—things like bread, cheese, soil, and sticky fingers. Occasionally eating bacteria boosts a child’s acquired immunity. Antibiotics have been rightfully deemed “miracle drugs” because of the countless lives they have saved from potentially lethal infections such as meningitis. Yet, the word “antibiotic” means “against life.” These powerful drugs kill bacteria in the body. Our society has initiated a foolhardy war on bacteria, forgetting that bacteria support life more regularly than they do harm.

About the Author:

Ceara Foley is the director of The North Carolina School of Holistic Herbalism. NCSHH offers Earth Sprouts! Herbal Appreciation and Earth Awareness Camp for Children as well as in-depth, hands-on courses for beginning, intermediate, and advanced adult herbal enthusiasts. Contact NCSHH at 828-350-1221 or visit www.herbsheal.com.

 

Nutritional Nuggets:

If It's not Food, Don't Eat It.
Kelly Hayford, CNC

This article offers simple, logical suggestions for parents to address and improve their food intake having a profound effect on their families health.

From the article:

When Brenda first started nutrition and health coaching she was depressed, overweight, extremely fatigued, had hypothyroidism, and severe PMS—among other things. In addition, her 11-year-old son had daily headaches that brought him to tears and frequently prevented him from playing; her 14-year-old daughter had dramatic mood swings and an attitude that was “unbearable” to live with; and her husband had debilitating digestive and eliminative disorders. 

Brenda knew that making dietary changes could be beneficial to your health. She was skeptical, however, as to whether doing so would work for her and her family and the many problems they were facing or not. She reluctantly sought nutritional consulting only because she was concerned about the increasing number of medications they were all taking, and the fact that matters were getting worse, not better.

Although skeptical at first, Brenda was delighted when, in just a few short weeks, she began to see significant improvements in her and her family members’ health. She had been able to stop taking all but one of her medications, had lost excess weight, had abundant energy, and was generally beginning to feel much better.


About the Author:

Kelly Hayford, CNC, is the author of the award-winning book, If It’s Not Food Don’t Eat It! – The No-Nonsense Guide to an Eating-for-Health Lifestyle. As a former junk food junkie turned nutrition and health coach, Kelly has helped thousands reverse dis-ease, and restore their health, energy and natural weight. She is a regular guest on health-oriented radio programs and a sought-after keynote speaker. To order the book or learn more, go to: www.IfItsNotFoodDontEatIt.com or call 303-746-8970.

 

Chiropractic for Life:

ADHD: A Patient's Perspective
Greg Buchannan

From the Article:

This article looks at Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD). As there is an increasing tendency for drugs to be prescribed to our children and lately adults for the treatment of this condition, it is timely to provide some information from an upper cervical chiropractic perspective.

I recently watched a tv news show in which a doctor was being interviewed about Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ ADHD). Apart from the increasing numbers of children being diagnosed with these disorders, the doctor claimed that around 4% of the US adult population was also suffering from the disorder. Ah! I thought here we go—yet another market opportunity opens up for pharmaceutical companies. It made me think about current drug advertising. Some of the current drug advertisements make you feel like you are missing out on something and that you should run straight to your doctor to get a prescription! Isn’t it amazing to think that a product that is supposed to help sufferers of diseases is peddled as if it was the latest consumer ‘got-to-have!’? Such are the dynamics of a global multi-billion-dollar drug industry...

A Message from the Author:

I hope you enjoy this article and as always feel free to provide me with any feedback and suggestions to info@upcspine.com. The purpose of my newsletters is to challenge the mainstream thinking on what may be the cause of some conditions and to encourage researchers to think outside the 'normal' boundaries when looking for solutions. I am a patient and not a medical practitioner; however I am entitled to my own opinions. People are free to disagree with me. My newsletters are provided as an informational source only, and are not a medical opinion. Therefore you should do further research for yourself and make your own decisions. Newsletters are posted on my site at: www.upcspine.com/newsletters.asp

Suggested Further Reading:

  1. International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (I.C.P.A.); http://www.icpa4kids.org/research/chiropractic/adhd.htm
  2. Phillips C: "Case study: the effect of using spinal manipulation and craniosacral therapy as the treatment approach for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder." Proceedings of the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics 1991, P. 57.
  3. Anderson C, Partridge J: "Seizures plus attention deficit hyperactivity disorder." International Review of Chiropractic Jun 1993; P. 35.
  4. Barnes T: "A multi-faceted approach to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a case report." International Review of Chiropractic Jan/Feb 1995; P. 41.
  5. Barnes T: "Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the triad of health." Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics 1996;1(2):59.
  6. Thomas M, Wood J: "Upper cervical adjustments may improve mental function." Manual Medicine 1992;6(6):215.
  7. Walton EV: "The effects of chiropractic treatment on students with learning and behavioral impairments due to neurological dysfunction." International Review of Chiropractic 1975;29(4-5):24
  8. Jacinda's Story - Tourette Syndrome and ADHD - www.kentuckiana.org/jacinda.html
  9. Stephen's Story - ADHD - www.kentuckiana.org/stephen.html
  10. Tucker's Story - ADHD, Autism, Depression - www.kentuckiana.org/tucker.html
  11. Erin Elster Case Studies - http://www.erinelster.com/Case%20Studies/pediatric_case_studies.html
  12. The Chiropractic Resource Organization - http://www.chiro.org/pediatrics/ADD.shtml#Articles
  13. Chiropractic First site - http://www.chiropracticfirst.ca/healthtopics/ADHD.htm

References:

  1. Mercola, J and Droege R; Adults With ADHD: Don’t Become the Next Drug Target ... Here’s How to Treat it Naturally; 2004, June 26th www.mercola.com
  2. Clara Pirani, Unhappy Pills; The Weekend Australian, January 29-30, 2005, 19-20
  3. Fernandez Noda EI, Lopez S; Thoracic outlet syndrome: Diagnosis and management with a new surgical technique. Herz 9 (1984), 52-56 (Nr.1)
  4. Fernandez Noda EI, Lugo A, Berrios E, Rodriguez de Valle J, Alvardo F, Buch MS, Perez Fernandez J; A new concept of Parkinson’s disease as a complication of the Cerebellar Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Japanese Annals of Thoracic Surgery 1987;7(3):271-5
  5. Fernandez Noda EI, Nunez-Arguelles J, Perez Fernandez J, Castillo J, Perez Izquierdo M, Rivera Luna H; Neck and transitory vascular compression causing neurological complications-Results of surgical treatment on 1,300 patients. J cardiovasc surg 1996;37(Suppl. 1 to No. 6):155-66
  6. Fernandez Noda EI, Rivera Luna H, Perez Fernandez J, Castillo J, Perez Izquierdo M, Estrada C; New concept regarding chest pain due to hypoxia of the internal mammary arteries in more than 1,600 operated patients with cerebral thoracic neurovascular syndrome (CTNVS). Panminerva Med 2002;44:47-59
  7. Gottlieb, S New York ; Methylphenidate works by increasing dopamine levels. BMJ 2001;322:259 (3 February) http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/322/7281/259/b
  8. Beidermann, H (MD) edited by; Manual Therapy in Children; Elsevier Limited 2004, Churchill Livingston http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.cws_home/695526/description#description
  9. Elster, E, D.C.; Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care For A Nine-Year-Old Male with Tourette Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, Asthma, Insomnia, and Headaches: A Case Report; Journal of Subluxation Research (JVSR); July 12, 2003 www.jvsr.com
  10. Giesen JM, Center DB, Leach RA; An evaluation of chiropractic manipulation as a treatment of hyperactivity in children; Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT); 12(5):353-63; (Oct 1989)
  11. The Sunday Telegraph, Sydney, Australia ;Head Injury Warning; Sunday Telegraph (July 1st, 2001) pg 27
  12. Bastecki AV, Harrison DE, Haas JW; Cervical kyphosis is a possible link to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT); 2004 Oct;27(8):e14
  13. R. Frank Gorman, M.B.B.S., D.O. Monocular Scotomata and Spinal Manipulation: the Step Phenomenon; Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT); Volume 19, No5, 344-49; (June 1996)
  14. Wehrenberg C, Mulhall-Wehrenberg T; The Best-Kept Secret to Raising a Healthy Child .. and the Possible Prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Publisher: Specific Chiropractic 2000 www.stopsids.org
  15. Hospers LA: EEG and CEEG studies before and after upper cervical or SOT Category II adjustment and children after head trauma, in epilepsy, and in 'hyperactivity; Proceedings of the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics 1992:84
  16. Eriksen, Kirk; Upper Cervical Subluxation Complex: A Review of the Chiropractic and Medical Literature. , pp150-55. Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2004; www.lww.com
  17. Peet JB; Hyperactivity and Attention Deficit:A Chiropractic Perspective; AM J Clin Chiopr, 1993: 3(3):5
  18. Hospers LA, Zezula L, Sweat M;Life Upper cervical Adjustment in a Hyperactive Teenager; Today's Chiropractic, 1987, 15(16):73-75

 

Pregnancy and Birth:

Does Your Doctor Know Squat?
An Interview with "Birth Guru" Henci Goer
Brian Wimer

This section on pregnancy and birth brings greater insight to parents about the choices made during pregnancy that support, natural, easier, safer births. This article is a must read for the mother seeking evidenced based research in support of her decisions.

Award-winning medical writer Henci Goer, author of The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth and Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities, makes the case that mothers are being kept in the dark. Contributing writer Brian Wimer caught up with Goer during an East Coast tour, promoting the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative.

From the Article:

Why do OB/GYNs have women labor in beds when squatting is the better way to birth? More importantly, does your OB/GYN, in particular, know the research-based facts regarding obstetrics in America? Or, is your OB/GYN perpetuating the myths that keep pregnant women from making practical, logical decisions for childbirth?

About Henci Goer:

Read about this amazing author and her works here: www.hencigoer.com

About Brian Wimer:

Brian Wimer is a clinical journalist and filmmaker living in Charlottesville Virginia with his wife and two daughters.


Breastfeeding:

Breastfeeding Difficulties
Jeanne Ohm, DC

This article addresses how chiropractic care helps infants with breastfeeding difficulties. The information in the article is gleaned from the authors clinical experience of 25 years in practice.

From the article:

Modern birthing procedures, even those with seemingly minimal intervention, are known to cause trauma and stress to the infant’s cranium and spine. In a leading pediatric textbook on manual therapy for children, one author tells us, “When considering injuries and dysfunctions of the spine and its associated structures, the significance of birth trauma is often underestimated, and the resulting symptoms frequently misinterpreted.”

In the case of breastfeeding difficulty, as with many childhood disorders, the cause of the problem often traces back to undetected biomechanical injuries to the spine and cranium at birth. The failure to recognize these biomechanical injuries and their relationship to difficulty in breastfeeding leads to incorrect conclusions and therefore, inadequate recommendations and treatments. Without real solutions, mothers become discouraged, successful breastfeeding is not achieved, and women stop trying out of frustration.

About the Author:

Read about the author here: http://www.icpa4kids.com/about/ICPA_Board.htm#Ohm

 

Parenting:

Joyful Positive Parenting
Jane Sheppard

A light and practical article for parents to enjoy parenting. Learn More About Joyful Parenting and How to Create a Joyful, Positive Parenting Experience at: www.healthychild.com/wheresthejoy.htm

From the article:

Joyful parenting in a positive and unlimited way respects children for who they truly are and nurtures their greatest potential. Imagine how powerful a person could be if parented in this way. What if there were no limiting beliefs or thoughts and fears about lack, inadequacy, or failure? What if ALL you knew was that you are a magnificent, amazing, loving person who lives life to the fullest, expressing your passions and contributing your unique gifts to others? What if a huge number of the next generation of children were raised in this way? How different would the world be?

About the author:

Jane Sheppard is the Executive Director of the Holistic Pediatric Association www.hpakids.org and editor and publisher of Healthy Child Online www.healthychild.com . Jane is a child health advocate, parent educator, and the author of Super Healthy Kids: Strengthening Your Child's Resistance to Disease, helping to empower parents to make informed choices to protect the health of their children. She lives with her daughter in Northern California.

 

Mind Body:

A Look at Stress
Liz Anderson-Peacock, DC

Dr. Anderson-Peacock offers insight into stress: both negative and positive and gives suggestions for adaptation.

From the article:

Dr. Hans Selye believed that stress is necessary for adaptation. As Charles Darwin said, "It is not the strongest or the smartest of the species that survive, but the one most able to adapt to change." Stress is a requirement for adaptation. Many times we think of stress as a negative or an overtaxing drain mentally, physically, or emotionally. Negatively interpreted stress has been shown to initiate and contribute to many disease processes and can aggravate current diseases. How two people perceive an event or situation may dictate vastly different responses by the body if one interprets stress negatively and the other positively. 

This article was reprinted with permission from Dr. Liz's newest endeavor: Girls, Gals and Gurus. Read more about Dr. Anderson here: http://www.girlsgalsgurus.com/bio_page.html

 

Family Life:

Discipline is the Problem - Not the Solution
Alfie Kohn

As always, Alfie Kohn gives us a thought provoking, and out of the box perspectives about children.

From the article:

When things in my classroom hit bottom, there were days when I was convinced that the kids stayed up nights plotting ways to make my life miserable. It was only later that I realized their disruptions were basically just intended to make the time pass faster.

And it was later still before I could admit that I didn't blame them. The problem wasn't with the students -- it was my curriculum and my reliance on textbooks, worksheets, and a diet of disconnected facts and skills. Did I really expect my students to be eager to learn about "Our Friend the Adverb"? Given these types of assignments, it would have been amazing if they hadn't acted up.

About the author:

For more information, please see www.alfiekohn.org.

Copyright 1995 by Alfie Kohn. Reprinted from Learning magazine with the author's permission. 

 

Seasonal:

Helping Athletes Succeed Naturally
Dr. Victor N. Naumov, DC

This article explains the importance of offering athletes constructive, natural means of enhancing their athletic performance.

From the article:

“Being good is not enough, when you dream of being your best!”
This quote is an inspirational and motivational mantra by which teenage athletes should live–not die. Unfortunately, everyday, teenage athletes across America are playing Russian roulette with their health, as well as their lives. They seem desperate to gain any competitive edge they can, and the frightening reality is that many of them are not even aware that they are putting themselves at risk.

What are these teens doing to themselves? Simple: the same thing many of their professional idols are being accused of doing—taking anabolic steroids. This is a real problem. However, as athletic mentors and physicians we can do something about it.

Like any difficult situation, the solution is not easy or quick. It requires acknowledging and understanding the problem, then speaking out by educating parents, trainers, coaches, and, most importantly, teenage athletes.

About the Author:

Dr. Victor N. Naumov, DC is Founder, President & Chairman of National Coalition for the Advancement of Drug-Free Athletics, Inc. This non-profit organization is dedicated to:"Helping Athletes Succeed...Naturally!"SM. Visit them at: www.NCADFA.org

 

Research Review:

This section is a compilation of current research relevant to children and pregnancy. Some of the cited studies address:

 

Parent's Perspective:

This section offers testimonials from parents about the wonderful results they have experienced with their families under chiropractic care. This month's story is about chiropractic care in a young child who was exhibiting behavioral distress after an auto accident. This testimonial comes from Dr Robert Brooks' practice and is titled: ADD and Chiropractic.

From the article:

"He said when he's adjusted, it takes the noise out of his head..."

About the doctor:

Dr Brooks practices in Tulsa, OK and can be reached at: www.brooksspinalcare.com

 

Family Wellness Forum:

In this column, we address questions parents have about care in pregnancy, birth and for their children's health. In this issue we answer a mother's concern about her infant's lack of interest in crawling.

 

 

Subscribe to Pathways

Back to Pathways References Page

 

 

Pathways Testimonials


"I just finished reading Pathways magazine and I must let you know that my husband and I are VERY impressed with it! It is so well put together, professional, top quality!


And most importantly, it is a TRUE wellness magazine. I am simply astounded."


-Dr. Julieta Rushford, Vermont