Most cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are managed with prescription drugs. But did you know that ADHD and other developmental behaviors are often caused by poor nutrition and slow blood circulation in the brain? For many children who have not benefited from medication, natural treatments such as diet modifications and special therapies have been helpful in overcoming the disorder and leading normal lives.
Chinese medicine acupressure is a widely used therapeutic approach to treating ADHD, but pharmaceutical companies backing Western medicine are preventing this practice from receiving the media attention it deserves. According to the philosophy behind Chinese medicine, each person has a spirit that lives in the heart. When a child’s spirit becomes hyperactive and restless, the heart overheats and the child experiences inattention, uncontrollable behavior, and irresistible urges. To treat ADHD, it is necessary to massage or stimulate certain pressure points in the body to cool the heart and calm the spirit. The practice of activating pressure points is called acupressure and is intended to treat chronic diseases and disorders by restoring balance to the body’s energy systems.
According to the philosophy that supports acupressure, our physical and mental well-being is determined by the harmonious flow of vital energy, or Chi, through our body. An individual becomes ill when certain things obstruct the flow of Chi. To treat the condition, an acupressurist uses the hands, elbows, and other objects to apply pressure to relevant pressure points on the body. By activating pressure points, balance is restored in the body’s energy pathways and Chi can flow steadily throughout the body. Acupuncture is also based on these principles, but the difference is that the doctor uses needles instead of physical pressure. Since needles can seem like a threat to children, acupressure is a preferred treatment for ADHD.
One particular acupressure method that is effective for children with ADHD is the use of ear magnet seeds or acupressure beads. An acupressure bead is a round metal object coated in gold and applied to the surface of the ear to make Chi flow. Children with ADHD respond favorably after seven days of pearl placement and continue to show noticeable improvements in the following weeks.
Of course, acupressure alone cannot treat ADHD, but it is an effective and harmless supplement to a comprehensive treatment program. Acupressure is practiced by more than 2,000 licensed physicians who use alternative medicine in conjunction with Western medical modes. The increasing success and popularity of Chinese medicine in the Western world has made insurance companies flexible in covering sessions with an acupressurist. To locate a specialist near you, contact the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture or ask for referrals from friends.