Treating ADHD through Alternative Medicine

We all know at least one child that won’t or can’t sit still, will never listen attentively or follow instructions, or who blurts out inappropriate comments at inappropriate times. Often branded as troublemakers, they may have ADD/ADHD. This disorder appears in early childhood, attention deficit disorder makes it difficult for these children to be understood or accepted. Medication is often prescribed, but today parents and doctors want to try alternative medicine in combination with education, behavior therapy, support at home and school, exercise, and proper nutrition.

Bear in mind that you must talk with your doctor before you take any alternative interventions to determine if the therapy will be safe for you

Interactive Metronome training

Interactive Metronome training comprises listening to a computerized rhythmic beat that the person then tries to mimic with hand or foot tapping. This training has a significant improvement in attention span, behavior, and motor control.

Chiropractic medicine 

Chiropractic theory is that muscle tone imbalance causes an imbalance in brain activity, by adjusting the ADHD patient's spine, balance is restored in the brain. 

Kinesiology or Neural Organization technique 

Treatment involves the chiropractor performing adjustments that realign the bones back to their proper position. 

Neurofeedback or EEG 

People with ADHD have excess theta (slow) waves and fewer than average beta (fast) waves when measured on an EEG (electroencephalograph ~ it can measure brain wavelengths). Neurofeedback treatment involves teaching the patient how to increase their arousal levels (increase beta waves and decrease theta waves), thereby increasing arousal, can decrease ADHD symptoms.

Ayurveda’s Answer

Adopting a vata-pacifying lifestyle is the best natural option 

1. Create a Routine
Regularity and structure counter the natural tendency toward chaos: a scheduled time to do homework, exercise, relax, eat, go to bed, and wake up to begin a new day.

2. Relaxation
Doing 5- to 10-minute Yoga or Transcendental Meditation or relaxation at least once a day 

3. Bedtime Massage
A bedtime massage is particularly calming for children with ADHD, organic unrefined oil (olive, almond, and sesame oils are especially grounding.)

4. Diet and Nutrition
Abolishing foods thought to increase hyperactivity, such as sugar, and common allergens such as wheat, milk and eggs, eliminating artificial food colorings and additives. Encourage plenty of cooked vegetables and whole grains, along with moderate amounts of protein and organic unrefined oils. In addition 50 mg of B-complex vitamins and 100 to 200 mg of fish oils geared for children.

5. Natural Rx
Lemon balm, chamomile, hops, passion flower, skullcap, brahmi, valerian, and St. John’s Wort are common Herbs that calm, soothe, and nourish the nervous system include. They can be taken safely as teas or tinctures.

6. Technology Time-Out
Limiting electromagnetic exposure (cell phones, playing computer games, watching TV) to an hour or less a day will greatly improve sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, headaches, dizziness, memory and attention problems or distorted vision

7. Minimal Medication
“Holidays” from the medication when intense concentration and focus aren’t necessary (on the weekends, during summer break, etc.) goes a long distance is helping the child while decreasing his chances of experiencing side effects.

Aerobic fitness
Cognitive functioning and neural organization related to executive control during pre-adolescent development has improved on account of aerobic fitness

Art Therapy
Allowing the mind to express itself in several mediums of art is thought to be an effective therapy for some of the symptoms of ADHD

Nature or Green therapy

It has been proven that children who spend time outdoors in natural settings, such as parks, fields seem to display fewer symptoms of ADHD, which has been dubbed "Green Therapy"

To find creative ways is a move in the right direction. The goal of these alternative treatments is to make your child feel precious, grounded, and nourished.

Comments