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An increasing number of children are being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder and treated with brain-altering medication. Learn the role bodywork can play in
this common condition and five massage techniques to help those affected.
Bodywork for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Bodywork is perfectly suited for reducing the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a condition typically appearing in young children, although
teenagers and adults may also be affected. Someone with ADHD has difficulty controlling their behavior and/or paying attention. It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent
of children have ADHD, or approximately 2 million children in the United States.
Symptoms
The principal characteristics of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Symptoms begin over the course of many months, often with impulsiveness and hyperactivity preceding inattention, which may not emerge for a year or more. A child who
"can't sit still" or is otherwise disruptive will be noticeable in school, but the inattentive
daydreamer may be overlooked. The impulsive child who acts before thinking may be
considered a "discipline problem," while the child who is passive or sluggish may be
viewed as unmotivated. Each of these children may have different types of ADHD.
All children are sometimes restless, sometimes act without thinking and sometimes
daydream. When the child's hyperactivity, distractibility, poor concentration, or impulsivity begin to affect performance in school, social relationships with other children, or behavior at home, ADHD may be suspected. Because the symptoms of ADHD vary so
much, ADHD must be diagnosed by a professional. Primarily consisting of stimulants,
pharmaceutical intervention is the first choice in treating ADHD. In an effort to control
affected individuals, an increasing number of school age children are regularly medicated.
The Brain
The suggested etiology of ADHD consists of many proposed theories. Whether stemming from genetics, environment or trauma, most experts agree the brains of individuals
with this condition function differently than those unaffected. Research scientists have
learned a great deal about ADHD by using modern brain imaging technology. National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) researchers found that children with ADHD had 3 to 4
percent smaller brain volume in several regions, than age and gender matched controls.
According to Jay Gordon, MD, a "deficiency in central nervous system dopamine probably causes many, if not most, of the problems associated with ADHD. It is no surprise
that the most popular medications for this condition increase dopamine levels within the
brain.
The Autonomic Nervous System
Two structures comprise our nervous system, the somatic nervous system and the
autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system assures proper functioning
of involuntary actions, such as heart rate, dilation of blood vessels and our bodys secretion of chemicals. The autonomic nervous system has two sub-divisions, the sympa-