ADHD, Focus & Behavioral Support with Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care focuses on the health of the nervous system, which plays a key role in how the body functions—physically, mentally, and emotionally. While chiropractic is not a treatment for ADHD or behavioral disorders, some case reports suggest that children with focus or behavioral challenges have shown improvements in areas such as attention, mood, sleep, and learning after receiving chiropractic care.

Improvement in Complex Neurological Symptoms

A nine-year-old boy with a history of Tourette Syndrome (TS), ADHD, depression, asthma, insomnia, and headaches—starting around age 6—received upper cervical chiropractic care. His birth involved forceps, which may have caused trauma. He had been taking several medications including Albuterol, Depakote, Wellbutrin, and Adderall. The case study explores how upper cervical adjustments have impacted his complex neurological and physical symptoms.

Source: 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

Tucker's Story: Autism & ADHD Case Study

Tucker, a four-year-old boy, was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and manic-depression. He exhibited behaviors such as not being toilet trained, eating dirt, and grinding his teeth. Up until 12-15 months of age, Tucker was a normal, healthy, vocal child. He then regressed to autism and lost his verbal skills. Under chiropractic care, his teeth grinding decreased dramatically, his hyperactivity lessened, and his eye contact improved. His mother reported that Tucker began smiling and showing more facial expressions. The article suggests a possible link between Tucker's condition and vaccine damage, noting that many parents of autistic children report the onset of autism symptoms shortly after vaccinations, particularly the MMR shot administered between 12-15 months of age.

Source: International Chiropractic Association Review in September/October 2000 by Barnes T. (Kentuckiana Children's Center), details the case of a four-year-old boy named Tucker who was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Noah’s Story: Medication-Free Improvement

Noah, a 10-year-old boy, experienced chronic congestion, possible allergies, and exhibited high energy and activity levels. He had been prescribed Ritalin for a year between ages 7 and 8; however, the medication was discontinued due to adverse effects on his cognitive functions, including thinking, learning, and information organization. The case highlights the challenges faced in managing such symptoms and suggests that alternative approaches, like chiropractic care, might offer benefits for children with similar conditions.

Source: N. Leisman, published in the International Chiropractic Association Review (Sept/Oct 2000)

Focus and Emotional Control in an 8-Year-Old

This case study discusses an 8-year-old boy diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and hyperactivity. For three years, he had been on medications like Ritalin and Prozac and underwent behavior modification therapy. After initiating chiropractic care, his mother observed that by the second adjustment, he could sit still longer, although he appeared more irritable. After three weeks of chiropractic treatment, all medications were discontinued. By six weeks, his school reported improvements in cognitive skills, task concentration, emotional control, and reduced aggressiveness.

Source: Adjusting the hyperactive/ADD pediatric patient. Peet, JB Chiropractic Pediatrics, 1997;2(4):12-15

Chiropractic Approach to Complex Pediatric Cases

This case report discusses an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), who was a patient at the Kentuckiana Children's Center for three years. The child's medical history included early disruptive experiences, recurrent ear infections, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, heavy metal toxicity, food allergies, environmental sensitivities, and various biomechanical issues. The report emphasizes the importance of addressing structural, chemical, and mental aspects—the "triad of health"—in managing ADHD symptoms. A comprehensive chiropractic approach was employed to tackle these interconnected factors. ​

Source: A multi-faceted chiropractic approach to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a case report. Barnes, TA ICA International Review of Chiropractic. Jan/Feb 1995 pp.41-43.

Improvements in Focus, Mood, and Posture

Dr. Webster presented two case studies involving children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD):​

  • Case 1: A 10-year-old girl with severe scoliosis (48° Cobb angle) was on 60 mg of Ritalin daily. After ten chiropractic adjustments, her mother reported improvements in her mood, immune system, and endurance. A re-examination showed a reduction in her scoliosis to 12°, and after two months of care, she was off all medications.​

  • Case 2: A 12-year-old boy diagnosed with ADD, asthma, and seizures underwent eight chiropractic adjustments. Following this, his parents, in collaboration with their medical doctor, discontinued all medications. Positive changes in his personality were also noted.

Dr. Webster emphasized the importance of addressing structural, chemical, and mental aspects—the "triad of health"—in managing ADD symptoms.

Source: First report on ADD study. Webster L. International Chiropractic Pediatric Association Newsletter. Jan. 1994.

Reduced Hyperactivity and Stuttering

  • The article presents a case study of a 7-year-old boy who exhibited multiple developmental challenges, including hyperactivity, stuttering, learning difficulties, delayed growth, and a noticeable limp due to a left leg approximately one inch shorter than the right. The child underwent chiropractic care, which reportedly led to significant improvements:

    • Cessation of stuttering

    • Enhanced academic performance, with school grades improving from non-satisfactory to satisfactory

    • Reduction in hyperactivity​

    • Marked improvement in his limp​

    These outcomes suggest that chiropractic interventions may have positively influenced the child's neurological and musculoskeletal functions.​

    Source: Hyperactivity, stuttering, slow learner, retarded growth. Webster, L. Chiropractic Showcase Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 5, Summer 1994.

Behavioral Recovery After Car Accident

This case study focuses on a 7-year-old boy who exhibited significant behavioral changes—including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and general agitation—following a motor vehicle accident. These symptoms were consistent with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Chiropractic care aimed at correcting biomechanical insults, particularly spinal subluxations, was administered. Post-treatment observations indicated notable improvements in the child's behavior and cognitive functions. The study suggests that addressing spinal misalignments may have a positive impact on symptoms associated with ADD.​

Source: Effects of biomechanical insult correction on attention deficit disorder. Arme J. J of Chiropractic Case Reports, Vol. 1 No. 1 Jan. 1993.

Brain Activity Changes Observed in Kids After Adjustments

This study examined the effects of upper cervical or Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) Category II chiropractic adjustments on children with various neurological conditions, including head trauma, epilepsy, and hyperactivity. Using electroencephalography (EEG) and computerized EEG (CEEG) assessments, the study observed notable changes in brain activity following chiropractic interventions.

Source: EEG and CEEG studies before and after upper cervical or SOT category 11 adjustment in children after head trauma, in epilepsy, and in “hyperactivity.” Hospers LA, Proc of the Nat’l Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics ( ICA) 1992;84-139.

Academic and Behavioral Gains in Schoolchildren

This study investigated the impact of chiropractic care on students exhibiting learning and behavioral challenges attributed to neurological dysfunction. The researchers focused on various symptom areas, including attention span, hyperactivity, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, verbal and writing output, following instructions, hand-eye coordination, overall coordination, effort, emotional maturity, behavior, and self-confidence.​

The findings suggested that chiropractic treatment was more effective than medication in addressing the wide range of symptoms associated with neurological dysfunction. Improvements were noted in multiple areas, indicating potential benefits of chiropractic care for students facing such challenges.

Source: The effect of chiropractic treatment on students with learning and behavioral impairments resulting from neurological dysfunction (part 2). Brzozowske WT, Walton EV. J. Aust Chiro Assoc 1980;11(8):11-17.