Role of chiropractic in managing seizures in children with autism

Role of chiropractic in managing seizures in children with autism


(NaturalNews) Over a decade ago, Pistolese presented the results of a
thorough chiropractic literature review that out of the 17 papers
reviewed, 15 epileptic patients out of 15 reported positive outcomes
resulting from subluxation-based chiropractic care. Since his paper,
several studies have been published documenting similar results. Of the
various theories that have been postulated to explain the apparent
effectiveness subluxation-based chiropractic has in managing seizures,
Amalu's work concerning cerebral penumbra applies most readily to
autistic patient suffering from seizures.

The epilepsy-autism connection

Epilepsy
is a general term that refers to the tendency to have recurrent
seizures. A seizure is a temporary disturbance in brain function in
which groups of nerve cells in the brain signal abnormally and
excessively. During a seizure, disturbances of nerve cell activity
produce symptoms that vary depending on the location and the amount of
the brain affected. Seizures can produce changes in awareness or
sensation, involuntary movements, or other changes in behavior. Usually,
a seizure lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Nearly a
third of ASD children suffer from epilepsy. It has been reported that
the risk of epilepsy in autistic children with severe intellectual and
developmental disabilities is five percent at one year, 15 percent at
five years, and 25 percent at 10 years. Significantly higher numbers
occur when cerebral palsy is included as an additional comorbidity. A
key fact to note is that epilepsy persists in the majority of patients into adulthood with remission in only 15 percent.

The evidence behind a chiropractic adjustment in treating seizures

First
advanced over 20 years ago, the concept of reversing cerebral penumbra
may hold the greatest explanation for the changes seen in ASD children
under subluxation-based chiropractic
care. Within the ischemic cerebrovascular bed, there are two major
zones of injury: the core ischemic zone in which necrotic tissue is
irreversible; and the borderline ischemic tissue, also known as
"ischemic penumbra" (a term generally used to define ischemic, but still
viable, reversible cerebral tissue). The penumbral zone is supplied
with blood by collateral arteries anastomosing with branches of the
occluded vascular tree and it is where pharmacologic interventions are
most likely to be effective. According to Agamanolis, "Ischemia, in the
penumbra, causes dysfunction due to ionic and metabolic dysfunction but
is not severe enough to result in structural damage. Prompt restoration
of perfusion in the penumbra by injection of thrombolytic agents may
prevent structural damage in this area, thus limiting the neurological
deficit."

According to Amalu, hyperafferancy plays a significant
role in neuronal hibernation, whereby hyperafferant activation of the
central regulating center for sympathetic function can cause differing
levels of cerebral ischemia. He postulates that hyperafferant activation
via the superior cervical sympathetic ganglia may also cause
higher-center ischemia. In light of Kent's Dysafferentation Model of
vertebral subluxation, we see the significance of Amalu's theory. The
Dyafferentation Model describes those situations in which biomechanical
dysfunction results in alteration in normal nociception and/or
mechaninoreception. This is clearly evident as the intervertebral motion
segment is especially endowed by nociceptive and mechanoreceptive
structures. As Kent describes, "To use the contemporary jargon of the
computer industry, 'garbage in - garbage out.'" Subsequently, abnormal
afferent input to the CNS will lead to a plethora of efferent
pathologies. Thus, when a chiropractor adjusts your spine and returns it
to proper alignment, normal signals are allowed to flow to and from
your brain. This can reverse higher-center ischemia and restore the
brain-body balance in autistic patients suffering from epilepsy.

If your child suffers from seizures
related to autism, consider visiting a subluxation-based chiropractor.
According to the evidence provided in peer-reviewed literature,
chiropractic care could possibly be a safe, drug-less option.


Source:-
http://www.naturalnews.com/037908_chiropractic_seizures_autism.html