Autism Spectrum Disorder:
The One Thing You May Have NOT Tried
by Dr. Jeremiah Joseph
Dr. Jeremiah and Dr.
Kristin Joseph
It is shocking to
see that little attention has been placed on one of America’s fastest growing
healthcare professions as an adjunctive procedure for helping those with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Growing evidence is now supporting that this ever
expanding profession is gaining its popularity amongst those families with an ASD member as a result of its various benefits. Is it the “cure” that you and
everyone else have been looking for? No, or you would have heard about it on
NBC, CNN, or some other large affiliate broadcast station, but it seems there
may be a lot of promise.
Wondering what it is that may benefit those with ASD? You may be surprised but
it is specific, scientific corrective chiropractic. Now the first thing that
popped in your head was “well my child doesn’t have low back or neck pain”, and
that would have been a common response. But newer research indicates that the
computer network inside of your child may not be sending all of its
communication signals to all of its proper areas of the body. In other words,
your brain acts like a computer or a generator of electricity and it sends and
receives information constantly through a tube called your spinal cord and wires
called nerves. The brain, spinal cord and nerves are continuous. Most people
have a misconception that nerves only perceive pain, when in fact only 6-10% of
all nerves in the body perceive pain. The remainder 90-94% are utilized for
function control like breathing, heart rate and rhythm, digestion, hearing, and
seeing to name a few.
At all times the brain must communicate with the body and the body then must
relay its signals back to the brain. This operation must occur without any
interruption. If the signal which travels at 225 mph is halted, slowed, or
interrupted, the resultant effect can be a symptom at the level of disturbance,
i.e. where the nerve connects to the heart, lungs, stomach, ears, legs etc. A
symptom may or may not develop immediately. Unfortunately for many of us, damage
may accumulate over years without any sign. Once the body reaches damage
threshold, a signal or a symptom tells you that something is wrong.
The number one way a nerve signal can be slowed or halted is by having pressure
on the nerve from a bone in the vertebral column or your spine. Think of
stepping on a hose that is watering one of your favorite plants. The plant wilts
shortly after receiving little to no water. The same happens with your and your
child’s spine. Well, the simplest way to get water back to the plant is by
removing your foot from the hose. The same holds true for the bone that is
pinching a nerve supplying one of your child’s organs, muscles or tissues.
Research and experience illustrate that the birthing process is traumatic enough
to cause a spinal misalignment in your child’s spine. The spinal area being
addressed and researched most often with ASD children is the atlas vertebrae,
known as C1. The atlas is most commonly misaligned as a result of the twisting
of the neck during the birthing process. Don’t be fooled though, c-section,
suction cup, and forceps may cause even more damage to the atlas vertebrae than
what is considered the normal birthing process.
So in order to address the cause, we must first begin educating families on
proper, safe birthing methods. Secondly, we must begin instructing families to
have regular spinal checkups by a qualified corrective chiropractor (just as we
have regular check ups on our teeth). The right chiropractor will help address
all three aspects of ASD i.e. physical, chemical and emotional stresses. They
will ensure that your child’s healthcare is co-managed with other appropriate
healthcare team members in order to make sure that your child receives the best
care possible.
For further
questions, you may contact Dr. Jeremiah Joseph at 941-473-7900. If you live in
Englewood, Florida or the surrounding areas, you can also make an appointment to
seek care with Joseph Family
Chiropractic where Dr. Jeremiah and his wife, Dr. Kristin, and two other
doctors are dedicated to helping you achieve your wellness objectives --
combining skill and expertise that spans the entire chiropractic wellness
spectrum.
Dr. Jeremiah Joseph
Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist
Joseph Family Chiropractic/Pivotal Health Physical Medicine |