| Bodywork is perfectly suited for reducing the | | | | Proof |
| symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity | | | | At the Touch Research Institute in Florida, a |
| Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a condition typically | | | | study was conducted to investigate the effect of |
| appearing in young children, although teenagers | | | | massage therapy on ADHD. Thirty ADHD |
| and adults may also be affected. Someone with | | | | diagnosed students aged 7 to 18 years |
| ADHD has difficulty controlling their behavior and | | | | participated in the study where one group |
| or paying attention. It is estimated that between | | | | received massage therapy for 20 minutes twice |
| 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD, or | | | | per week over the course of one month. The |
| approximately 2 million children in the United | | | | researchers reported that the ADHD students in |
| States. | | | | the massage group demonstrated improved |
| Symptoms | | | | short-term mood state and longer-term |
| The principal characteristics of ADHD are | | | | classroom behavior. |
| inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. | | | | Methods |
| Symptoms begin over the course of many | | | | While there is no specific ADHD massage |
| months, often with impulsiveness and | | | | technique, certain methods will have a greater |
| hyperactivity preceding inattention, which may not | | | | effect than others. The important concept to |
| emerge for a year or more. A child who "can't sit | | | | grasp is that stimulating the parasympathetic |
| still" or is otherwise disruptive will be noticeable in | | | | relaxation response is desired when working with |
| school, but the inattentive daydreamer may be | | | | this population. Clues for the therapist indicating |
| overlooked. The impulsive child who acts before | | | | parasympathetic response are slowed breathing, |
| thinking may be considered a "discipline problem," | | | | reduced heart rate and increased digestive |
| while the child who is passive or sluggish may be | | | | sounds. |
| viewed as unmotivated. Each of these children | | | | Since many styles of bodywork initiate relaxation, |
| may have different types of ADHD. | | | | the following five suggestions for ADHD are not all |
| All children are sometimes restless, sometimes | | | | inclusive: |
| act without thinking and sometimes daydream. | | | | 1. Swedish massage, particularly effleurage and |
| When the child's hyperactivity, distractibility, poor | | | | other slow stroking movements have a sedating |
| concentration, or impulsivity begin to affect | | | | effect, leading to activation of the |
| performance in school, social relationships with | | | | parasympathetic nervous system. |
| other children, or behavior at home, ADHD may | | | | 2. Because they encourage stimulation of the |
| be suspected. Because the symptoms of ADHD | | | | sympathetic nervous system, avoid fast and firm |
| vary so much, ADHD must be diagnosed by a | | | | strokes, as well as percussive massage |
| professional. Primarily consisting of stimulants, | | | | techniques. |
| pharmaceutical intervention is the first choice in | | | | 3. Cranial-sacral therapy will free up any |
| treating ADHD. In an effort to control affected | | | | restrictions in the cranium or sacrum that could |
| individuals, an increasing number of school age | | | | contribute to ADHD. Additionally, the movements |
| children are regularly medicated. | | | | used in this modality initiate the parasympathetic |
| The Brain | | | | response. |
| The suggested etiology of ADHD consists of | | | | 4. Rooted in Osteopathic medicine, myofascial |
| many proposed theories. Whether stemming from | | | | release bypasses the muscles by focusing on the |
| genetics, environment or trauma, most experts | | | | fascia as one, large, connected system. |
| agree the brains of individuals with this condition | | | | Exceedingly gentle, the unwinding technique in |
| function differently than those unaffected. | | | | myofascial release activates the parasympathetic |
| Research scientists have learned a great deal | | | | system. Similar to cranial-sacral, this will free any |
| about ADHD by using modern brain imaging | | | | restrictions inhibiting energy flow, leading to |
| technology. National Institute of Mental Health | | | | tension release. |
| (NIMH) researchers found that children with ADHD | | | | 5. Watsu is a deeply relaxing style of bodywork |
| had 3 to 4 percent smaller brain volume in several | | | | performed in a warm water pool. While specific |
| regions, than age and gender matched controls. | | | | training and equipment (a pool!) are needed to |
| According to Jay Gordon, MD, a "deficiency in | | | | perform this therapy, it has been reputed to calm |
| central nervous system dopamine probably | | | | the uncalmable. |
| causes many, if not most, of the problems | | | | The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD is |
| associated with ADHD." It is no surprise that the | | | | controversial, as parents are refusing to accept |
| most popular medications for this condition | | | | the habitual medicating of their children. Many have |
| increase dopamine levels within the brain. | | | | posed the hypothesis that ADHD is a natural |
| The Autonomic Nervous System | | | | evolution of our brains to keep up with the speed |
| Two structures comprise our nervous system, | | | | at which technology powers our world. Living in a |
| the somatic nervous system and the autonomic | | | | calm and peaceful environment is now an |
| nervous system. The autonomic nervous system | | | | exception, rather than the norm. Bodyworkers |
| assures proper functioning of involuntary actions, | | | | have the ability to introduce calm and peace to a |
| such as heart rate, dilation of blood vessels and | | | | client, regardless of their environment. By focusing |
| our body's secretion of chemicals. The autonomic | | | | ADHD treatment on the parasympathetic nervous |
| nervous system has two sub-divisions, the | | | | system, massage therapy can be a crucial |
| sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The | | | | component of therapy for this condition. |
| sympathetic system provides us with adrenaline | | | | References: |
| (the fight-or-flight response), while the | | | | Khilnani S, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S., |
| parasympathetic is responsible for relaxation. | | | | Massage therapy improves mood and behavior of |
| The sympathetic portion of the autonomic | | | | students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity |
| nervous system appears to be the predominant | | | | disorder, Adolescence, 2003 Winter; |
| force in ADHD, overriding the balancing role of the | | | | 38(152):623-38. |
| parasympathetic system. Bodywork can be a | | | | Osborn, Karri, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity |
| critical component of ADHD recovery because it | | | | Disorder: Soma Brings Peace of Mind to Families, |
| accesses and initiates the parasympathetic | | | | Massage and Bodywork, June/July 2004. |
| nervous system response. | | | | |