Pediatrics - Acupuncture & ADHD
Outline of treatment protocol for ADHDThere have not been many published studies on the efficacy of acupuncture in treating ADHD.
Below is a protocol that I have developed for treating it with Chinese medicine. It is based on a
compilation of information gathered from published studies and articles as well as from an
acupuncturist that I know personally that performed an exploratory study but did not publish it.
This is a list of Chinese medical treatment possibilities listed in order from least to most invasive. My preference is to start with the least invasive treatment and progress down the list as necessary. These treatment protocols can be used exclusively or in conjunction with western medication such as Ritalin.
Note: This treatment protocol is not intended to replace a patient's current medical treatment. Any adjustment to a patient's current medication should only be done under the supervision of their regular doctor.
Treatment Protocol
- Gold (or occasionally silver) magnetic press-balls placed bilaterally at the auricular posterior shen men.
- Gold (or silver) magnetic press-balls placed at posterior shen men with the additional placement of pressballs at anterior shen men, sympathetic and Kidney points.
- Addition of weekly whole-body magnet or acupuncture treatments depending on the age and inclination of the patient.
- Chinese herbal medical prescription based on the child's presenting constitution and information obtained from case study.
Information from Christine Lee, L.Ac., and Janine Agoglia, L.Ac.
unpublished exploratory study
In 2004, Christine Lee, L.Ac. and Janine Agoglia, L.Ac. devised and implemented an exploratory ADHD study to be carried out in two Framingham schools for children with disability - The Reed Academy for students with special needs and The Learning Center for deaf children. The study group sizes were initially 12 students and 25 students respectively. All studied students had been diagnosed with ADHD by a medical doctor.
This was a 6 week study in which children diagnosed with ADHD were treated with gold magnetic press balls on their posterior auricular shen men points. Pictures of the point location are listed below. The press balls were initially applied by the acupuncturists. School nurses were then trained to apply replacement press balls. The students were monitored by their teachers and parents and scored according to an abridged version of the Conners' scale.
Treatment showed strong behavioral improvements for 30% of the students - especially relating to the hyperactive part of their disorder. Christine believes that one of the schools still uses the press balls and has heard that parents still request them for their children.
Articles written by Dr. Michael Smith, Lincoln Hospital, Bronx, NY  Use of Acupressure Beads in the Treatment of ADHD
Article 2
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