Recent research reporting on improvement in a 38 year old man undergoing chiropractic care reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in managing adults with Attention Deficit (ADHD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders. The research, reported in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, includes a review of the literature supporting the role of chiropractic in adults and children suffering from a number of disorders that share their origin with ADHD.

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“Research is revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and brain” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study. “Basic science research shows that the proper development of the brain relies on proper structure and movement of the spine from an early age.” 

Research has shown not only that the brain relies on normal structural integrity and joint movement, but that complex neurochemical communication and pathways involved in helping humans to “feel good” are tied into spinal biomechanics and their related neurological pathways. 

“It makes perfect sense when you think about it” stated McCoy “We see this shocking increase in the diagnosis of ADHD and other neurological disorders both in children and in adults.” 

Researchers believe that the increase in the diagnosis of such disorders as ADHD, pervasive developmental disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders, have their root in a “perfect storm” of abnormal, structural spinal shifts and spinal development coupled with cultural changes.    

“Not only does television watching, computer use, computer games and lack of exercise cause an increase in obesity and diabetes in our children” remarked McCoy “These habits spill over into adulthood and affect the development and functioning of our brains.” 

According to McCoy “People’s nervous systems need the constant stimulation of movement in order to develop and function properly. Abnormal position or movement of the spinal vertebra can develop from structural shifts. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.”

The man reported on in the study was 38-years-old and presented to the chiropractor with a complaint of adult-onset attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He also suffered from a number of other complaints including daily migraine headaches and low back and leg pain that left him incapacitated at times. He had been on several different medications over the years to try and control his ADHD and was taking Adderall, OxyContin, Lortabs and Aleve. 

The chiropractor examined the man and found spasms of the spinal muscles, decreased spinal range of motion, abnormal posture and most significantly structural spinal shifts in his cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. As mentioned, these structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. 

After one month under chiropractic care his goals of being able to focus and exercise were met. After two months he no longer needed his ADHD or pain medication, he felt more focused and energized than he had ever felt before and his headaches and back pain also resolved. The authors called for more research on chiropractic and management of adult onset ADHD.          

Contact Information: 

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research
http://www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com
drmatthewmccoy@gmail.com