Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD) are diagnoses applied to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviors over a period of time. The most common features include distractibility, impulsivity and, in the case of ADHD, hyperactivity.
Contrary to some beliefs, poor parenting does not cause ADD/ADHD. Instead, ADD/ADHD are most likely caused by biological factors that influence neurotransmitter activity in certain parts of the brain. There is a great deal of evidence that ADD/ADHD runs in families, which suggests strong genetic factors at work. Other important factors may include environment (exposure to certain toxins), birth experience (low birth weight, lack of oxygen) and nutrition (especially food allergies and vitamin deficiencies).

Signs & Symptoms:

Individuals experiencing ADD/ADHD may exhibit some or all of the following symptoms. To meet the diagnostic criteria, these behaviors must be excessive, long-term and pervasive. They must also appear before 7 years of age and continue for at least 6 months, and must create a handicap in at least two areas of a person's life, such as school, home, work or social settings. " Fails to pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
" Is easily distracted when playing or performing tasks
" Does not appear to listen when spoken to
" Does not follow through on instructions
" Has difficulty organizing and completing tasks
" Consistently loses things
" Feels restless, often squirming or fidgeting with hands or feet
" Runs or climbs excessively
" Talks excessively, often blurting out answers before hearing the whole question
" Has difficulty waiting for a turn

Therapeutic Approach:

In addition to conventional measures - which may include medication therapy, counseling and behavior modification - modalities such as CranioSacral Therapy can play an important role in a comprehensive therapeutic approach.

Autism:

Autism is considered by the National Institute of Mental Health to be a brain disorder that typically affects a person's ability to communicate, form relationships and respond appropriately to the environment. Some people with autism are relatively high functioning with normal patterns of speech and intelligence. Others are considered developmentally delayed, mute, or they have serious language delays. Over half a million people in the U.S. are believed to have Autism or a related disorder, making it one of the most common developmental disabilities. Yet it remains largely misunderstood.

Signs & Symptoms:

Individuals experiencing Autism may exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:
" Avoidance of eye-to-eye contact
" An inability to understand social and nonverbal cues
" Communication problems, including delayed or absence of speech
" Odd patterns of communication
" Inability to use imagination in play
" Restricted, repetitive or ritualistic behaviors, interests and activities
" Patterns of self-stimulation or reassurance, such as head banging, arm pinching or hand flapping

Therapeutic Approach:

The key to treating autism is early evaluation. Indeed, some researchers believe several signs of oncoming problems can be detected in infancy.
In addition to conventional measures - which may include medication and behavioral therapy - modalities such as CranioSacral Therapy can play an important role in a comprehensive therapeutic approach. Dr. John E. Upledger, developer of CranioSacral Therapy, investigated its effects on autistic children in Michigan in the 1970s. He spent approximately six months each year for three years searching for etiologic factors in autistic behavior. His research included physical examinations, hair analysis, blood electrophoretic studies and craniosacral system evaluations.
His studies concluded that CranioSacral Therapy was beneficial in treating Autism. When it was used to restore the mobility of the craniosacral system, typically autistic behaviors - including head banging, thumb sucking, toe walking and self-mutilation - were either alleviated or diminished. In 2000, Dr. Upledger presented his findings before a U.S. Government Reform Committee meeting on Autism.

Depression:

Depression, also called unipolar mood disorder, affects emotions, thinking, behavior and physical well-being. It occurs most often in people between the ages of 25 and 44, and is characterized by symptoms that last at least two weeks.
Stressful life events and genetic predisposition can both be causes of depression. Some factors that can put you at risk include a family history of depression, past or present alcohol or drug abuse, age (onset usually occurs under the age of 44), having just had a baby, and other stressful events such as loss of a loved one or lack of a social support system.

Signs & Symptoms:

Individuals experiencing depression may exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:
" Feelings of worthlessness
" Self-criticism
" Inappropriate guilt
" Significant weight loss or gain
" Lack of or excessive amounts of sleep
" Hyperactivity or inactivity
" Fatigue or loss of energy
" Poor concentration
" Frequent thoughts of death or suicide

Therapeutic Approach:

In addition to conventional medical measures, which may include medication and counseling, modalities such as CranioSacral Therapy can play an important role in a comprehensive therapeutic approach.
CranioSacral Therapy can be particularly helpful in addressing areas of restriction in the body that can affect energy levels as well as circulatory and endocrine systems, thus enhancing relaxation. Related SomatoEmotional Releasẻ techniques can also help release pent-up emotions that may be contributing to feelings of depression.

Congestive Heart Failure:

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the most common cause of death for people over age 65. It occurs when the heart cannot pump out enough blood to meet the needs of the body.
Any form of heart disease may lead to CHF, which results in a reduced ability to exercise and, in severe cases, can impair daily function. The following traits can contribute to CHF: smoking, high-fat diet, excess body weight, alcohol abuse, high sodium intake, influenza and pneumonia. Noncompliance with prescribed medications or recommended diet can also be a contributing factor.

Signs & Symptoms:

Individuals experiencing CHF may exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:
" Shortness of breath
" Fatigue, exercise intolerance
" Rust-colored sputum
" Distended neck veins
" Cough, especially upon waking
" Excessive nighttime urination
" Excessive protein in the urine
" Insomnia
" Nausea, vomiting
" Anorexia
" Anxiety
" Swelling in the extremities

Therapeutic Approach:

In addition to conventional measures that may include medication, modalities such as CranioSacral Therapy can play an important role in a comprehensive therapeutic approach. It can help balance body fluids by releasing adverse mechanical tensions in the body. This in turn can enhance fluid flow, which can then ease the amount of work the heart has to do.

Crohn's Disease:

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammation of the small or large intestine, or both. It can cause great pain and make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. While a specific cause is not known, the most popular theory is that the body's immune system reacts to a virus or a bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestine.

Signs & Symptoms:

Individuals experiencing Crohn's disease may exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:
" Diarrhea
" Abdominal pain, swelling
" Fatigue
" Weight loss, malnutrition
" Fever

Therapeutic Approach:

In addition to conventional measures - which may include medication and surgery - modalities such as CranioSacral Therapy can play an important role in a comprehensive therapeutic approach.
Indeed, CranioSacral Therapy has been very helpful for some patients. Its emphasis on opening and relaxing the pelvic and respiratory diaphragms, as well as opening the dural tube, has shown to improve pain, bloating and diarrhea. Looking into the emotional component of a patient through techniques such as SomatoEmotional Releasẻ can also have a very real impact on the physical body. (In Chinese medicine, the small intestines and the heart are linked through the fire element.)

Ear Infection:

Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, the area just behind the eardrum. It happens when the eustachian tubes, which drain fluid and bacteria from the middle ear out to the throat, become blocked.

Blockage of the eustachian tubes may be caused by any number of situations, including: respiratory infection, allergies, tobacco smoke or other environmental irritants, infected or overgrown adenoids, sudden increase in pressure (such as during an airplane flight), drinking while lying on the back (such as with a propped bottle), excess mucus and saliva produced during teething, and cranial bone restriction (which may have occurred during the birth process).

Otitis media is common in infants and children, because their immune systems are immature and their eustachian tubes are easily clogged. It is important that children with otitis media be seen by a healthcare provider because there can be serious complications if the infection is left untreated.


Individuals experiencing otitis media may exhibit some or all of the following

symptoms:

" Acute pain
" Fever
" Hearing difficulty
" General signs of illness such as vomiting and diarrhea
" In infants, incessant crying

Therapeutic Approach:

Although ear infections often clear up by themselves, there can be serious complications if left untreated. Therefore, an antibiotic is usually prescribed. In addition to conventional medical measures, which may also include surgery to insert small drainage tubes in ears, complementary modalities such as CranioSacral Therapy can play an important role in a comprehensive therapeutic approach.

CranioSacral Therapy can facilitate more normal function of the eustachian tubes by normalizing cranial bone and membrane movement. In addition, CranioSacral Therapy has been found helpful in boosting immune system function.

Lupus:

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body harms its own healthy cells and tissues. It can affect many parts of your body, including skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs. It is also considered a rheumatic disease because it can cause aches, pain and stiffness in the joints, muscles and bones.
While lupus can occur in childhood or later in life, it usually first affects people between 15 and 45 years old. Researchers believe it is probably caused by a combination of genetic, environmental and possibly hormonal factors. It can run in families, but the risk that a child or sibling of a patient will have lupus is quite low.
Episodes of lupus tend to come and go throughout life, and may cause you to feel tired and achy. But with proper treatment and self-care, you can lead an active, healthy life.

Signs & Symptoms:

Individuals experiencing lupus may exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:

" Extreme fatigue
" Painful or swollen joints
" Muscle pain and stiffness
" Unexplained fever
" Skin rashes
" Kidney problems
" Hair loss
" Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
" Headaches, migraines, seizures, stroke
" Depression, anxiety, confusion
" Sensitivity to sunlight

Therapeutic Approach:

while there is currently no known cure for lupus, diagnosis and treatment has improved tremendously in the past half-century. Your team of healthcare professionals can develop a plan to prevent flare-ups, treat them when they do occur, and minimize complications.
In addition to conventional medical measures, complementary modalities such as CranioSacral Therapy can play an important role in a comprehensive approach. CranioSacral Therapy in particular can provide beneficial effects for the autonomic nervous system, the immune system, fluid mobility, and the connective tissues that affect all aspects of the body.

Multiple Sclerosis:

During an MS attack, inflammation occurs in areas of the white matter (pale-colored nerve tissue) of the central nervous system in random patches called plaques. This is followed by destruction of myelin, the fatty covering that insulates nerve cell fibers in the brain and spinal cord. Myelin allows for the smooth, high-speed transmission of electrochemical messages between the brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body. When myelin is damaged, neurological transmission of messages may be slowed or blocked completely, resulting in diminished or lost function.
The cause of MS is unknown. Theories include a childhood virus that primes the immune system for an attack against myelin in early adulthood.

Signs & Symptoms: