From the Desk of Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC.....

Gluten sensitivity is often least expected as a cause for a chronic health condition.  Health challenges such as Hashimoto's, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Depression and Anxiety, Balance Disorders, Irritble Bowel Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, ADD/ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and many other maladies can be caused or triggered by gluten sensitivity.

Ever since the mid nineties when I received additional certification in pediatric chiropractic, I've continued to work on improving my treatment for children with neurobehavioral disorders.  I've seen too many children with ADD, ADHD and Autism put on too many brain and body damaging drugs over the years and I just had to do something about it...at least in my geographic area.

I have been treating kids using typical chiropractic treatments with developmental and behavior concerns since the mid ‘1990s’ after I earned fellowship status from The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA).  Some success was obvious (less fidgeting and better focus) but the improvements were not predictable.  Many parents were desperately trying to help their child perform without putting them on medications.  I offered the clinical skills I had at the time.

We are all creatures of habit, but when it comes to our food selections we can make "CRAZY" decisions.  Gluten can be very difficult to give up because of a little talked about compound it contains.  Often this compound can lead to addiction to wheat.  Similar compounds can lead to addiction to dairy and soy as well.  If the proper testing is not done - dire health consequences can be yours due to irrational decisions.

Thanks to Dr. Robert E. Zee, B.S., Eng., D.C. for the following blog post, which I repost here with his permission.  I find it explains the concept of why the immune system gets out of balance.  As you might expect, I recommend you always attempt to get to the bottom of a health challenge, rather that treating just the symptoms or outward signs.  That is what constitutes true heatlth care.

It’s that time of the year again…you know the drill – getting school supplies, backpacks, vaccinations, school physicals, school clothes, etc…

The human brain is a complex organ, capable of incredible feats of brilliance and fueling subconscious fears and desires. Until recently, many in the medical profession ignored the role our brains play in our overall physical health. Instead, doctors treated the symptoms — pain, insomnia, intestinal distress, ADD — while ignoring the role our brains play in causing these symptoms, particularly for chronic conditions. A new generation of physicians, however, takes a new approach to treating chronic conditions working with patients to heal through the brain. These treatments, often referred to as brain-based therapy or Neuro Metabolic Therapy promise especially exciting breakthroughs for patients with chronic conditions, particularly those with ADD and ADHD.

The Basics
Brain Based Therapy and Neuro Metabolic Therapy recognize that the brain controls all the functions of our bodies. Without proper brain function, the body falters. When the brain works efficiently and functions normally, we have healthy bodies. External influences like allergies and stress or internal influences like emotions or energy imbalances can interfere with the brain's ability to function properly. When our brains run inefficiently, it can lead to chronic conditions like ADD and ADHD.

The medical profession has identified possible physiological causes of ADD and ADHD. They include chemical imbalances in the brain and the underdevelopment of the areas of the brain that control attention. But these "reasons" don't get to the why a chemical imbalance might occur. Brain Based Therapy, on the other hand, seeks to get to the root cause — the why — of the chronic condition.

How it Works
Brain Based Therapy, Johnson Neuro Metabolic Therapy and similar methods of treatment use a variety of approaches to figure out why a chronic condition is occurring. The therapy most often starts out with a comprehensive brain and nervous system exam. Physicians specializing in more holistic approaches to treating ADD and ADHD will also explore possible allergic causes or nutrient deficiencies through extensive testing. Foods like gluten, yeast, soy and casein can cause a person's immune system to attack the body (autoimmune) and cause a host of symptoms including pain, neurological problems and intestinal distress. These allergies and food sensitivities then often cause nutritional deficiencies that can be treated with specific nutritional supplements and dietary changes.

These holistic therapies also work with patients' bodies. People with ADD and ADHD respond particularly well to treatments involving specific rhythmic exercises (Interactive Metronome). Doctors may also incorporate energy work to reestablish a body's natural energy balance. Acupuncture works on this principal and has been incorporated into standard Western medical practices.

The Treatments
Practitioners of Brain Based Therapy and Neuro Metabolic Therapy work from a whole body perspective. These are not the only treatments, however. Similar treatments that physicians using Brain Based Therapy might also include Interactive Metronome approach. This approach to ADD and ADHD challenges patients to match a range foot and hand movements to a precise computer generated tone. This treatment teaches patients how to focus for longer periods of time, filter out internal distractions, and monitor both physical and mental actions at the same time.

Another therapy often incorporated into Brain Based Therapy by Dr. Karl Johnson, DC of Shelby Township, Michigan is Nambudripad's Allergy Eliminations Techniques or NAET. These techniques expose patients to energetic analogs of allergens or stressors and focus on improving the body's energy balance. It is believe that hidden allergies can block energy pathways leading to conditions like ADD and ADHD.

Heal Thyself
The human brain is a truly magnificent wonder. It can make us sick and it can heal us. Taking a comprehensive, whole body, brain based approach to treating chronic illness is a proven pathway to treating chronic illnesses, particularly ADD and ADHD. Rather than spending your life on Ritalin, which only addresses the symptoms of this chronic condition, get to the why of this neurological approach. Brain Based Therapy using Johnson Neuro Metabolic Therapy has restored the proper functioning of the brain is many patients and returned their body to an optimal state of health.

Often times patients with severe back pain or certain conditions, such as when bones are weakened or have swelling and inflammation of the joints or even muscle strain, it is nearly impossible to perform high impact exercises. Since maintaining good health, muscle structure and flexibility is crucial to preventing further issues, it is imperative that patients find activities they can perform safely.  Read the articles below and follow the links to the full article for more information on low impact exercises for back pain relief.