We use theatrical terminology in Chinese Medicine, which is beautiful but can boggle our western minds. Essence translates into two concepts: Pre-Heaven Essence (genetics) and post-Heaven Essence (food, environment, and lifestyle). The idea of Essence points out that a child’s genetics, combined with the quality of food, environment, and lifestyle, will determine their state of health. You may have heard this general statement about the disease: “Genetics loads the gun, and the environment pulls the trigger.” Many ADD/ADHD children exhibit genetic mutations called SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms).

The SNP that many people are familiar with is called Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR). The MTHFR mutation dramatically reduces the body’s ability to detoxify itself, which leads to a body overwhelmed with toxicity. This toxicity can significantly contribute to ADD/ADHD symptoms and can cause tremendous inflammation throughout a child’s body, including the brain. When a child has these unfortunate genetic issues, the quality of the food, environment, and lifestyle is vastly more important to limit toxicity and inflammation.

When the liver is not healthy, symptoms such as irritability, hyperactivity, and inattention may occur.

A child must be active to detoxify. In addition, it affects the liver’s ability to detoxify the body. In most cases of ADD/ADHD. Chinese Medicine uses herbs naturally protective of the liver and promotes detoxification. Chinese Medicine also associates the health of the liver with movement. So, you see how sitting in front of the television or video game screen for excessive amounts of time could increase ADD/ADHD symptoms.

Digestive health needs are addressed to optimize a child’s health. A healthy digestive system absorbs nutrients that nourish the entire body and eliminates waste. Interestingly, your digestive system is also responsible for producing about 90% of your serotonin (the neurotransmitter that influences happiness and mood) and much of your dopamine (a neurotransmitter involved with focus). Appropriate levels of beneficial bacteria in your digestive system are critical for these functions. Antibiotic use and an unhealthy diet destroy helpful bacteria, which introduces malabsorption and yeast overgrowth, both of which have been associated with mental and emotional health. Chinese Medicine uses acupuncture, herbal Medicine, and food therapy to help a child with appropriate digestion of nutrients, toxin elimination, and beneficial bacteria replenishment in the gut.

As I stated before, we use technology to alleviate boredom. Unfortunately, the brain is not designed to tolerate constant stimulation.

Dopamine is what keeps you focused. When a child plays video games for long periods, excessive amounts of dopamine are released. If you notice, a child playing a video game is very focused on the game, so it is almost impossible to pull him away from it. When we finally make him stop playing, do homework and chores, or come to dinner, he no longer has the appropriate dopamine levels and will lack focus. You do not need to know much about brain chemistry to understand that a child who just saved the world in a video game might need help transitioning to her math homework. It simply does not provide the same level of stimulation. Children must have balance! Technology doesn’t have to be the enemy. Still, it must be balanced with activities that provide relaxation and movement, such as playing outside, sports or other physical activities, going for an early morning walk and deep breathing. Chinese Medicine has been shown through studies to improve focus with these children while also regulating other systems of the body.

Do not let the pace of today’s society tell you that a complicated ADD/ADHD disorder must be corrected in the modern world’s time frame! The world is different than it once was and will not change or slow down anytime soon. The balance will be achieved differently for each child. Each child may have symptoms that present differently than another child with the same diagnosis. Chinese Medicine does a beautiful job of finding these subtle differences within each child and using the right herbal medicines, acupuncture or acupressure treatments, and diet changes to fit each child’s unique needs.