Feeling listless and unable to focus? Do you need to get up every few minutes and do something else, or do you find yourself fidgeting with your pen during meetings? Perhaps you’ve seen these kinds of behaviors in your children, or heard tales of “disruptive behavior” from their teachers. These are all telltale signs of ADD or ADHD, and acupuncture may be just the drug-free alternative you’ve been seeking.
Defining ADD and ADHD
ADD stands for attention deficit disorder, whereas ADHD is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. While similar, they are not quite the same. ADD usually presents itself as the need to multitask, having many irons in the fire at once. In a school setting, a child may be unable to focus on the task at hand and look as if he’s daydreaming. People with ADD sometimes appear to be withdrawn and quiet since they are so often in their heads. ADHD, on the other hand, can be seen in a person who has a challenge sitting for long periods at a time. The person who needs to readjust in her seat, or the student who can’t quite sit down in the chair correctly, is likely someone suffering from ADHD.
Outside of a situation in which things need to get done (e.g., school or work), ADD and ADHD can cause minimal issues. More than anything else, these are social challenges, in which those who have ADD or ADHD need to learn how to be active in a conversation without interrupting or fidgeting since others may read that as a lack of interest. Sometimes, these issues are labeled as such by parents who have a hard time handling children who act like, well, children. But there are plenty of cases where ADD or ADHD is a true problem, and they are not relegated to the under-18 crowd; many adults also find they have issues paying attention and keeping still. And if you’re in the middle of an important business deal, that can be a real detriment!
How Acupuncture Can Help ADD and ADHD
The whole tenet behind acupuncture is that it helps to improve circulation throughout the body. In ADD and ADHD, there is often a misfire between the brain and the body (and vice versa), causing the person to miss social cues or be able to calmly sit through a class or meeting. Through careful placement of the tiny needles used in acupuncture, a licensed acupuncturist can help the body to remove those blockages and allow circulation to flow regularly once more.
Acupuncture’s effects also calm the body so that it is less want to move around and fidget. And it can improve concentration, regulate sleep, and boost one’s attitude so that the downside of ADD and ADHD fades into the background.
Perhaps the best thing about acupuncture is that it has no negative side effects. That stands in stark contrast to the traditional response to this diagnosis: Ritalin. This stimulant is often prescribed for children with ADHD to counteract their already active nervous system, causing them to calm down (in a person without ADHD, Ritalin would act as a traditional stimulant). However, the side effects of the drug — especially when taken over a period of time — are detrimental and include nervousness, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headache, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and psychosis. Acupuncture, on the other hand, has no side effects other than feeling a whole lot better.
There Is No Minimum Age for Acupuncture
ADD and ADHD are most commonly diagnosed in school-age children, and because they manifest as behavioral issues, treatments should take effect quickly. Since acupuncture causes no side effects, it can be used in people of all ages — including children. Even children who are scared of needles or shots will soon realize these tiny needles don’t hurt at all going in. More than likely, they’ll be excited to learn about this cool “new” treatment and be eager to participate in something that helps them excel in class.
If you have questions about ADD or ADHD and how acupuncture can have a positive impact on it, whether for children or adults, contact us at Harmony and Health Acupuncture for your initial consultation: 602-955-5444. We’ll help you focus and get back to being your regular, productive self!
