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Harding KL; Judah RD; Gant C Outcome-based comparison of Ritalin versus food-supplement treated children with AD/HD [In Process Citation] Altern Med Rev 2003 Aug;8(3):319-30.   
Harvard Medical School Fellow, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, internship in child/adolescent psychology, post-doctoral program, neuropsychology.
ABSTRACT: Twenty children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) were treated with either Ritalin (10 children) or dietary supplements (10 children), and outcomes were compared using the Intermediate Visual and Auditory/Continuous Performance Test (IVA/CPT) and the WINKS two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures and with Tukey multiple comparisons. Subjects in both groups showed significant gains (p less than 0.01) on the IVA/CPT's Full Scale Response Control Quotient and Full Scale Attention Control Quotient (p less than 0.001). Improvements in the four sub-quotients of the IVA/CPT were also found to be significant and essentially identical in both groups: Auditory Response Control Quotient (p less than 0.001), Visual Response Control Quotient (p less than 0.05), Auditory Attention Quotient (p less than 0.001), and Visual Attention Quotient (p less than 0.001). Numerous studies suggest that biochemical heterogeneous etiologies for AD/HD cluster around at least eight risk factors: food and additive allergies, heavy metal toxicity and other environmental toxins, low-protein/high-carbohydrate diets, mineral imbalances, essential fatty acid and phospholipid deficiencies, amino acid deficiencies, thyroid disorders, and B-vitamin deficiencies. The dietary supplements used were a mix of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, amino acids, essential fatty acids, phospholipids, and probiotics that attempted to address the AD/HD biochemical risk factors. These findings support the effectiveness of food supplement treatment in improving attention and self-control in children with AD/HD and suggest food supplement treatment of AD/HD may be of equal efficacy to Ritalin treatment.

Torticollis - Pediatric Related:


Gloar CD, McWilliams JE. Chiropractic care of a six-year-old child with congenital torticollis. J Chiropr Med. 2006 Sum;5(2):65-68.


Pederick FO, Treatment of an infant with wry neck associated with birth trauma: Case report, Chiropr J Aust Dec 2004;34(4):123-8.


Smith-Nguyen EJ. Two Approaches To Muscular Torticollis [Case Report] J Clin Chiropr Pediatr. 2004 Sum;6(2):387-393.
ABSTRACT: Objective: The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast chiropractic care with physical therapy in the management of an infant with congenital torticollis. Design: Case study.  Setting: Private practice.  Clinical Features:  An infant, 10 months of age, was diagnosed with congenital torticollis. Physical therapy was prescribed of a period of two months. This therapy initially was effective in correcting the patient's postural deformity, but after the physical therapy course was concluded, the patient's symptoms progressively returned over the following three months. At this time, a course of chiropractic care was initiated. The patient received five chiropractic adjustments over a period of six weeks and the torticollis resolved without returning. Intervention and Outcome: Physical therapy was prescribed by the infant's pediatrician at 10 months of age. The course of physical therapy included neuromuscular evaluation and recommendation for home exercises to aid in stretching and strengthening the cervical musculature and increasing cervical range of motion. This type of therapy was deemed effective initially but upon release, after two months of therapy, symptoms gradually began returning.  Three months later, the child's mother sought a chiropractic evaluation, as a second opinion. At this time the patient's torticollis had returned. In addition, plagiocephaly and delay in gross motor skills development was evident. After a thorough physical examination and neuromuscular evaluation, it was determined that spinal subluxations were the likely cause of the patient's torticollis. Chiropractic adjustments were performed using light force activator adjustments and gentle joint mobilization. Five adjusting sessions were performed over a six-week period. Follow-up care over a period of eight months indicated no return of the torticollis.  Conclusion:  The use of different therapies, in the treatment of torticollis, can have similar results, but it is important to look at potential underlying causes in the spine, rather than just the muscular contraction alone, in order to achieve the desired long-term results. Chiropractic care provided permanent resolution of the child's torticollis, reduction of plagiocephaly and improved development milestones.


Davies NJ. Chiropractic management of deformational plagiocephaly in infants: An alternative to device-dependent therapy. Chiropr J Aust. 2002 Jun;32(2):52-55.


Colin N. Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A Review, Case Study, and Proposed Protocol for Chiropractic Management, Top Clin Chiropr. 1998 Sep;5(3):27-33, 65.
ABSTRACT: Purpose: The etiology, nature, and traditional medical interventions for infant torticollis (including trauma-induced torticollis) are reviewed. A case study is presented of a 7-month-old infant who had been medically diagnosed with the disorder as birth-trauma related. Methods: A qualitative literature review was conducted of information on congenital and acquired infant torticollis, and a case study summarizes chiropractic interventions. Summary: Six sessions of chiropractic management involving low force adjusting and gentle myofascial release work were administered based on clinical mechanical findings derived from an apparent right hand and right leg dominance of the child. The patient had not previously responded to several weeks of physical therapy. Following chiropractic care, the case completely resolved. The response was sustained at 1 year follow-up. Conclusion: Although a case study is an inadequate basis from which to generalize conclusions, the failure of prior conservative care, coupled with the immediate response with chiropractic intervention, suggests this approach may warrant further investigation.


Moore TM, Pfiffner TJ.  Pediatric Traumatic Torticollis: A Case Report. J Clin Chiropr Pediatr. 1997 Oct;2(2):145-149.
ABSTRACT: Objective: The purpose of this article is to present a case of a child who sustained a trauma and presented to a chiropractic campus clinic. The child displayed the "cock robin" position that is typical for atlantoaxial rotary fixation, which allows this entity to be placed in the different diagnosis. The chiropractic management of this child is discussed along with the medical treatment options available. This article also discusses the different types of presentations of rotary fixation and different causes of torticollis in children. Design: A case study. Setting: A chiropractic college campus clinic. Outcome Measures: Resolution of the condition was determined by resolution of the torticollis and return to normal daily activiities as reported by the child's guardian. Results: In this case, the child responded favorably to a single chiropractic adjustment along with soft tissue therapy. No complications were noted. The child was released after a short period of follow-up. Conclusion: This case report describes a four-year-old male presented to our clinic after moderate trauma (falling off a bed landing head first) with left lateral head tilt and mild right head rotation. The discussion incorporates torticollis that can be the presenting sign of atlantoaxial rotary fixation. The similarities and differences in the literature between torticollis and atlantoaxial rotary fixation are addressed as well. Any child presenting with a recent upper respiratory infection, sore throat, otitis media, or minor trauma with torticollis is a candidate for consideration of atlantoaxial rotary fixation. The occurrence of atlantoaxial rotary fixation is not an everyday event, nor is the etiology and mechanism certain. The treatment protocol for this patient is discussed and correlation of possible etiologies from the literature is given.


Fallon, JM; Fysh, PN; Chiropractic Care of the Newborn With Congenital Torticollis Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics. 1997 Jan ; 2(1): 116-21.


Shafrir Y, Kaufman, B.  Quadriplegia after Chiropractic Manipulation in an Infant with Congenital Torticollis Caused by a Spinal Cord Astrocytoma   Journal of Pediatrics .  Feb 1992; 120: 266-9.
ABSTRACT: An infant with congenital torticollis underwent chiropractic and within a few hours had respiratory insufficiency, seizures, and quadriplegia. A holocord astrocytoma, with extensive acute necrosis believed to be a result of the neck manipualation, was found and resected. We believe that every child with torticollis, regardless of age, should undergo neurologic and radiologic evaluation before any form of physical treatment is instituted.


Aker PS, Cassidy JD.  Torticollis In Infants And Children: A Report Of Three Cases.  J Can Chiropr Assoc. 1990 Mar;34(1):13-19.
ABSTRACT: Three cases of torticollis are recorded, one of a child with muscular torticollis and two of infants with acquired torticollis caused by neurogenic tumors. All were treated by chiropractors before the correct diagnosis was made. The differential diagnosis of torticollis in infants and children is important in clinical practice.