We have found that most children characterized as ADD/ADHD are essentially normal, and respond well to our treatment, if, and that is a big if, the parent is committed to following our program. These children are often just bored or hyperactive because of poor dietary habits including dairy products and too much sugar, inadequate physical activity, poor teachers, and a lack of sufficient discipline at home, among other contributing factors. Without exception, these children also have a history of poor bowel habits, and most of them are constipated to some extent when they arrive at our office.
It is our position that the association between the habitually constipated child and children characterized as ADD/ADHD is not a coincidence, but rather a contributing factor to this diagnosis.
Our program is a relatively simple one, and also has been applied successfully for non-ADD children who suffer from lack of focus and concentration, and also to children with behavior problems caused by toxins in their system from accumulated waste matter. It does however require effort and the full commitment of the parent or parents to stick with it. Often we are dealing with a single mom who is having a difficult time coping with trying to support the family and manage an unruly child. Many of these problems seem to originate during or after a family crisis, such as a divorce.
The program covers issues such as eating habits, physical activity and exercise, discipline, and maintaining regular bowel activity. It is this last topic, which I deal with here. A key part of the success of our program consists of an initial complete cleansing of the child's colon, and then helping to develop a habit of regular bowel movements at home. We rely on the parents (or parent or guardian) to provide the assistance necessary to insure success in this undertaking.
These children are not the easiest to deal with. The parent is usually frustrated with their behavior at home and at school or day care, and when the child comes into our office they are usually uncooperative and difficult to treat, especially on the first visit. Of the children we see for these problems, boys outnumber girls by about 3 to 1.
About one out of four of the children we see have either been here before or has a family member who has visited our doctor previously. They are the easiest to deal with, since the parent is familiar with natural health care philosophy and modalities, and in many cases have had colonics themselves. When we give colonics to parents we emphasize the importance of bowel regularity for their children, and encourage them not to hesitate to use the enema bag at home whenever necessary. As a result, their children usually are familiar with enemas, and in some cases have observed the parent receiving a colonic.
But of the remaining three quarters of the children, few have had enemas previously, and to them and their parents, the idea of a colonic is frequently something that they are hesitant and uncomfortable about. These children are much more difficult to deal with than those with parents that subscribe to the natural health care philosophy, and the last thing they want is some stranger meddling with such a private personal part of their body.
Parents sometimes, especially after discussing it with their friends or their family doctor, tell us that they think our program is too drastic or extreme. When I hear this I ask them if they think it's more drastic than putting their child on powerful mind altering drugs?
When our doctor orders a colonic, I usually get to give the child an enema first to empty the rectum and sigmoid. The doctor's wife, who has been giving colonics since the 1950's, uses a gravity flow Dierker machine that tends to block easily, especially at the start of the treatment if the colon is distended with hardened stool. The enema empties this lower portion of the colon and permits a more effective colonic. It is also an opportunity to instruct the parent on how to give the child an enema at home if they are unfamiliar with the procedure.
Normally, at least one colonic a week is prescribed for the first six weeks, accompanied by daily enemas at home for two weeks. If possible, the enema is given at the time that the parent would like to see the child have the first movement of the day, preferably in the morning, but this is often impractical, especially in a single family household with other children and mom rushing to get herself off to work and the children to school or daycare. In a case like this, just before bedtime is usually the most convenient, and as a bonus, following an enema, the child usually falls asleep quickly and wakes up in a good mood the next morning.
During the initial enema, followed by the colonic in our office, the involvement of the parents is essential if the child is uncooperative and resists. The doctor's wife suffered an accident on the farm when she was in her teens that has left her with difficulty in standing for extended periods as she has aged, but using a stool after I get the machine set up, she is able to administer the colonic to a cooperative patient without difficulty. With the parents assistance I help keep the child still and in place during the colonic, but during the enema, I often have to depend on the parent or parents. The little boys usually put up the strongest resistance, but the little girls win by a landslide in how much noise they can make. To say that it can be a challenge dealing with these children would be an understatement.
After initially cleaning out the child in our office, the next phase at home is crucial to success. The child is encouraged to cooperate when it's time for his daily enema, and the doctor tells him that if he doesn't, then his mother will call and he'll send me over to help. I have actually made house calls to help mothers give their children enemas at home. If the child absolutely refuses, and the parents need regular assistance giving the child enemas, the doctor has a network of holistic nurses he can call upon to make arrangements to treat the child as required.
I have some experience dealing with a child resisting enemas when he needed them. My family on my mother's side has a history of constipation going way back, and my grandmother still talks about her mother and all her brothers and sisters suffering from it while she was growing up. My brother is 5 years younger than I am, and when he was little my mother would have me help her give him enemas when he needed them, which was usually several times a week.
My mother says that she can't remember a single week when he was little that he didn't have to have at least one enema. At the time I was only about in third or fourth grade. She would get the enema bag ready and then go bring him into the bathroom, and while she held him on her lap I would insert the nozzle and hold the bag and work the shutoff. He could really raise a ruckus, even at that young age, so I understand what parents sometimes have to go through to follow through with our program.
Following the two week period of daily enemas at home, our program focuses on keeping the child regular along with enforcing the dietary, physical activity, and behavioral guidelines that complete the total program. A colonic once a week for at least six weeks is strongly suggested to tone the bowel and strengthen peristalsis, and the parent is advised not to allow the child to ever go more than 48 hours without a satisfactory bowel movement. If no movement occurs during that time, then an enema is mandatory.
Also, should the child misbehave in a significant way, throw a fit, or whine excessively, this is often a sign that the colon is accumulating waste and toxins. If this occurs, the parent should administer an enema at the earliest convenient time, but no later than the child's bedtime.
The same remedy is applied if the parent receives a report from a teacher or daycare provider that the child has acted up or otherwise not followed the rules. The enema is not given as a punishment, but rather as an assist in helping to restore the child to a healthy state. Parents should be helped to understand that the condition of the colon affects every part of the body, including the mind.
As an added bonus, following an enema, children seldom feel much like carrying on or misbehaving, and are more likely to want to take a nap or rest and have some quiet time. If parents have the commitment and determination to stick with this program, the change in the child's mood and demeanor can be remarkable.
We have so many success stories to tell that I hope in a follow-up to this to include some excerpts from letters and comments we have received from parents who committed to and stayed with our program.
But I have been told by medical doctors and some parents that they believe our treatment program to be somewhat extreme. I'll let you be the judge of which is more extreme, a natural program of dietary management, physical activity, and cleansing, or addicting drugs such as Ritalin and Prozac for a child.
Please check out the following recent news items about the drugging of our children if you have any doubts.
Debate over Ritalin extends into schoolsJust say yes to Ritalin! Parents are being pressured by schools to medicate their kids -- or else.
'As easy to get as candy'--A new Massachusetts study finds wide teen abuse of Ritalin
Now which treatment protocol do you think is more extreme?
Valerie Wood, Certified Colon Therapist